Crimson Nagus

Great finale and I still love this ending.  I’m glad people who do not play video games can experience this story.
 
I like the added scenes of Ellie’s birth.  I also like how Anna tells a lie, like Joel, when she tells Marlene that she was bit before Ellie was born.  She has to say “before” twice.  I think Marlene decides to accept the lie, while not believing it, to maintain their friendship in that moment.  This is what I think Ellie does at the very end as well.
 
There was something special about seeing the actor who helped “birth” Ellie in the game birth her in the show.  Kind of a passing the torch moment.
 
I think the use of a montage for Joel’s action, and the use of the music from him crying Ellie out in the game, was to symbolize the brutality and sadness of his actions.
 
I’m curious how game players did this section of the game?  You could go in guns a blazing like the show.  You could be more stealthy and take them out silently or you could go complete stealth and not kill anyone, well, except the doctor.  I was stealthy and took each guy out silently, I also let the 2 nurse live.
 
From this point on the show is almost a carbon copy of the game.  Just a few dialogue changes were all I noticed.  We didn’t get another “baby girl” from Joel as he picked up Ellie off of the operating table, like we did in the game.  They also cut one of my favorite lines.  When Ellie is telling Joel about Riley, just after she mention they decided to “lose their minds together”, in the show she says “and she did… and I had to- -“.  In the game she says this instead, “I’m still waiting for my turn.”  I love that line and it is also another indication that Ellie would have been willing to sacrifice herself for the greater good.  That’s how I took it from the game.
 
 
@Jay asked earlier what would we have done, are we for or against Joel’s choices.  It’s funny, the official podcast actually spoke to my answer when they mentioned a poll they did with play testers during the original game’s development.  As a parent of 3 kids, I’m 100% in the Joel camp and would have done the same thing in the hospital.  Not my kid, find someone else, I don’t care.  I’m saving my child.
 
As for the lie, I honestly could see myself lying because I might be scared that the truth would make my child hate me.  Joel lied thinking he was protecting Ellie from the dark truth of what he did, at this point he doesn’t know what is going to happen next and neither would we.  I could see my self doing the same for the exact same reason, even if it is wrong.
 
But I’m saving my child. No doubt about it.
 
 

I think the show’s length has been fine.  On YT, you can find cutscene edits of the first game and it is not as long as I think many people remember.  Edits that even include all crucial dialogue sequences run 3:30 to 6 hours long, just depends on how much gameplay they include.  Depending on your play style, this game can be completed in 10 hours if you don’t search for all loot and the collectibles.  My first play through took 18-20 hours but, I’m a slow game player and search every area for a long time.  I also died a lot and had to repeat plenty of sections.
 
The show, including the last episode will be about 8 hours, 40 minutes long.  But you have to take away 1:40 because 45 minutes of episode 3 are not in the game at all and almost all of episode 7 was DLC, released a year later.  So that leaves 7 hours which is very comparable to the game’s length minus some of the gameplay action. (I think I did my math right)
 
I just think splitting it over 2 season would have added a lot of needless filler.  I have enjoyed the quick, tight pace, especially compared to something like The Walking Dead. I stopped watching that somewhere in season 5 and never went back.  It was just moving way to slow and didn’t seem like it was going anywhere.
 
 
I really enjoyed the episode 8. I don’t really have much to add outside of what others have said.  Although, this is one action sequence I wish they didn’t skip.  David and Ellie fighting infected together caused Ellie to trust him more, especially when he reveals he still had a hidden gun the whole time.  This was while they were waiting for James to return with the medicine.  This was a huge swarm in the game so, maybe make it smaller in the show but, I was surprised they didn’t even have to fight a few together.

Avatar: The Way of Water:

First, my comment wasn't meant to be negative, just an observation.  I really like this new theme and I happen to like the music from the Spider-man game.
 
I didn't realize I was required to have "musical knowledge" to be a fan of movie scores.  I love this site for all the musical knowledgeable and information but, I rarely post because some are just not very welcoming to those of us with little knowledge/experience.  My dad introduced me to movie scores at a young age through the original Superman 2 LP.  I've been a fan ever since and this is the main genre of music I collect and listen too but, I never learned to read music or play an instrument (expect snare drum in my high school marching band).  So, I apologize for my lack of knowledge and mentioning how this theme reminded me of something else.  I will now go back to rarely posting again.
 
Why do so many score/classical fan sites expect the "true" fans to have a deep understanding of the music and music theory?  We don't expect that for fans of pop, rap, country, rock ,etc.

First, my comment wasn't meant to be negative, just an observation.  I really like this new theme and I happen to like the music from the Spider-man game.
 
I didn't realize I was required to have "musical knowledge" to be a fan of movie scores.  I love this site for all the musical knowledgeable and information but, I rarely post because some are just not very welcoming to those of us with little knowledge/experience.  My dad introduced me to movie scores at a young age through the original Superman 2 LP.  I've been a fan ever since and this is the main genre of music I collect and listen too but, I never learned to read music or play an instrument (expect snare drum in my high school marching band).  So, I apologize for my lack of knowledge and mentioning how this theme reminded me of something else.  I will now go back to rarely posting again.
 
Why do so many score/classical fan sites expect the "true" fans to have a deep understanding of the music and music theory?  We don't expect that for fans of pop, rap, country, rock ,etc.

(I just posted this at FSM as well)
 
I hate this for him because I think he is one of the most talented composers around today and he just cannot catch a break. I thought it had happened with Rogue Nation but, then they dumped him for a boring score in Fallout.

I tell ya, he would be my first call if I was a director. He'd become my John Williams and I'd be his Spielberg but, alas, I am just an IT guy in Alabama. Sorry Joe.

I've made this TFA cover years ago:
 

 
I can of course try to come up with matching designs for all other episodes, but not today, because I'm about to leave to watch THE RISE OF SKYWALKEEEEEER!!! 
 
Oh, but here's a quickie here are two quickies before I'm off:
 

 

 

I love the Finale. I thought it was a great mix of TROS themes and classic themes to end the saga. It brought a huge smile to my face when the “Main Titles” appeared. That is THE Star Wars theme and it felt like it was coming back for one last encore performance. Then the throne room ending has always been my favorite end credits ending so, I loved it. I hope this ending makes it into the film. Like I said, for me it’s an encore of the best movie theme of all times.
 
Bravo, Mr. Williams, bravo for your unforgettable 42 year journey!

I love the Finale. I thought it was a great mix of TROS themes and classic themes to end the saga. It brought a huge smile to my face when the “Main Titles” appeared. That is THE Star Wars theme and it felt like it was coming back for one last encore performance. Then the throne room ending has always been my favorite end credits ending so, I loved it. I hope this ending makes it into the film. Like I said, for me it’s an encore of the best movie theme of all times.
 
Bravo, Mr. Williams, bravo for your unforgettable 42 year journey!

Well, than Mr. Williams needs to visit this forum more often.

I always thought books like this or the LOTR music book would work great as an interactive digital version.  Where you could tap on the musical score images and it would play the measures pictured, especially for those of us that don't know how to read music.

I always thought books like this or the LOTR music book would work great as an interactive digital version.  Where you could tap on the musical score images and it would play the measures pictured, especially for those of us that don't know how to read music.

Listened to it and the album sounds horrible.  I know they were going for a modern sound but, damn, there is so much bass at times that it drowns out the lyrics.  Even the score tracks don't escape the waves of bass overkill.  It's just not a pleasant album to listen too.
 
I've enjoyed these remakes mostly, not loved them but enjoyed them and was really excited for Aladdin, since it is one of my favorite Disney movies.  They've butchered these songs on the album so I don't hold out much hope for the movie, which is really disappointing.

Two covers for a Deluxe Edition I made for The 13th Warrior:
(contact me if you want the link for the music)
 

No but, a power crazy mod got upset with 2 post in the custom cover art thread and closed it down. The one thread not about illegally sharing stuff and it gets shut down, go figure. 
 
It it was a great thread with many talented people posting their designs. @heidl and @tintacle are two of the best from that thread. 

Glad to see you hear @tintacle.  Ashamed what happened to the cover art thread on that "other site".

No but, a power crazy mod got upset with 2 post in the custom cover art thread and closed it down. The one thread not about illegally sharing stuff and it gets shut down, go figure. 
 
It it was a great thread with many talented people posting their designs. @heidl and @tintacle are two of the best from that thread. 

I order mine today!! Only down side is that this is a Christmas gift that my wife is going to wrap and not let me listen too it until Christmas, assuming I get it by then. 
 
I remember listening to the HP1 ost for the first time back when it was originally released. After my first listen I wasn’t convinced that it was going to be a memorable score. I enjoyed it but it didn’t fascinate me on that first listen. It probably didn’t help that I’m not a huge fan of the movies and have never read the books. Fast forward to now and of course it is memorable and has become one of my favorite Williams scores. Like Star Wars, Indiana Jones and E.T., my kids knew and recognized the HP themes well before they ever saw the movies. This box set is going to be a glorious experience. 

I order mine today!! Only down side is that this is a Christmas gift that my wife is going to wrap and not let me listen too it until Christmas, assuming I get it by then. 
 
I remember listening to the HP1 ost for the first time back when it was originally released. After my first listen I wasn’t convinced that it was going to be a memorable score. I enjoyed it but it didn’t fascinate me on that first listen. It probably didn’t help that I’m not a huge fan of the movies and have never read the books. Fast forward to now and of course it is memorable and has become one of my favorite Williams scores. Like Star Wars, Indiana Jones and E.T., my kids knew and recognized the HP themes well before they ever saw the movies. This box set is going to be a glorious experience. 

I order mine today!! Only down side is that this is a Christmas gift that my wife is going to wrap and not let me listen too it until Christmas, assuming I get it by then. 
 
I remember listening to the HP1 ost for the first time back when it was originally released. After my first listen I wasn’t convinced that it was going to be a memorable score. I enjoyed it but it didn’t fascinate me on that first listen. It probably didn’t help that I’m not a huge fan of the movies and have never read the books. Fast forward to now and of course it is memorable and has become one of my favorite Williams scores. Like Star Wars, Indiana Jones and E.T., my kids knew and recognized the HP themes well before they ever saw the movies. This box set is going to be a glorious experience. 

Thanks for the explanation Marty, it makes since.  I actually haven't listened to any of the commentary episodes except The Incredibles.  After listening to that one I decided to wait until I had time to sync them up with the movie instead of listening in my car and on my phone.  I should probably just listen to them already, since I'm not succeeding with finding the time to sync them up.

I have been listening to your podcast for a while now and I love every episode.  The E.T. series and Vertigo have been my favorites and, the spotting session episodes are my favorite ones.  I have also really enjoyed these Star Wars episodes, including the one just released about Leia's theme.
 
I have to be honest though, compared to your other spotting session episodes in the past, there seems to be something missing from the Star Wars one.  Your past ones had plenty of back and forth discussion between the 2 of you but, that was not present in the Star Wars episode.  It felt like you guys were mostly reading from a script and some of how you played off each other in past episodes was not present.
 
Don't get me wrong, I still loved the episode and thoroughly all the information provide.  I have no musical training but still find all the technical break down fascinating.  I hope you are not offended because of my constructive criticism, keep up the create work, it is very appreciated!

Spielberg, in that clip, basically explains why I dislike most modern film scores these days.  They are just acoustic sound effects, lacking thematic development.  He is one of a shrinking number of directors that still appreciates character themes.  Can't wait to see RPO and listen to the OST.

Thanks for the explanation! 
 
And mate, no one is saying they don't trust what you say (at least I'm not).  Just wasn't aware of how the ATV handled the multi-channel signal...now I am.  My home theater is a Nvidia Shield running Plex (I'm more or less and Apple user, but ATV isn't really great for streaming a local library, which is primarily how I watch movies).