Ben, Tiff, and Brian celebrate President’s Day by celebrating communism! Jackson, Wyoming is a thriving post-apocalyptic community, but Joel resents how it makes him feel about the people around him. We get a scene lovingly recreated from the video game, some hilarious jokes about contractors, and lots of implications for what a second season of the HBO show would look like. Finally, after the Spoiler Horn at the end of the episode, we address an audience member during a heated debate about The Last of Us Part II.

Everybody loved contractors

Ben Rice McCarthy and Brian Hamilton with Tiff Arment

Reconcilable Differences #202: Running Clear - Relay FM

Can You Pet the Dog? (@CanYouPetTheDog) / Twitter

Faking It: The Obviously Dubbed Telephone Ring - YouTube

Someone Asked Me to Make Mushroom Sleeves, so I did - Rachel Maksy - YouTube

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We all knew it was coming, but Henry and Sam’s story is just as heartbreaking in the HBO show as it was when we originally played The Last of Us in 2013. Along the way, Kathleen and Perry’s original story gets woven in, and it all leads to an explosive climax. A lot happens this week, but it’s impossible to call this episode bloated. Plus, are you a wimp for using aim assist?

Ben Rice McCarthy and Brian Hamilton with Tiff Arment

Mob — Crispy Mushroom Pancakes

Aether - Ben Rice McCarthy

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Special guest Merlin Mann, who is outstanding in his field, joins Ben, Tiff, and Brian in their recap this week. Pedro Pascal was great on SNL, Melanie Lynskey is great in everything, and we don’t know how syphoning works, but we know it works. Plus, a new way of looking at popcorn.

Ellie's Got a Gun

Ben Rice McCarthy and Brian Hamilton with Merlin Mann and Tiff Arment

HBO Mario Kart Trailer - SNL - YouTube

Grouch (Joker Parody) - SNL - YouTube

Vanity Fair on Instagram: “Yes, Pedro Pascal does consider himself to be a heartthrob—as do we. Watch #TheLastOfUs star take a lie detector test at the link in bio.”

The World Without Us - Wikipedia

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Remember when Tiff, Ben, and Brian speculated that each episode of The Last of Us would have a flashback to 2003? Well, this episode has one of those. What happens in that flashback may or may not make all three of us cry on the podcast; you’ll have to listen to find out. Break out your Linda Ronstadt songbook and pour yourself a glass of wine.

To whomever, but probably Joel

Ben Rice McCarthy and Brian Hamilton with Tiff Arment

The Last of Us Pedro Pascal Jacket | Huckberry

Kate Leth on Twitter: “Finally… a San Junipero for men ✨” / Twitter

zach silberberg on Twitter: “the last of us writers were like “hey joel needs a car. what if we write the most touching and heartbreaking hour of television in the world”” / Twitter

Google’s The Last of Us Easter egg is parasitic fungus | PC Gamer

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Ben has some incredible follow up about flour, which leads us right into our Jakarta interlude before jumping right back to Boston. Tiff, Ben, and Brian learn more about the cordyceps than the video game ever taught us, while Joel learns even more about himself and his relationship to Ellie than he ever knew. Plus, prepare your appetite for the Mushroom of the Week!

Ben Rice McCarthy and Brian Hamilton with Tiff Arment

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It’s 1968, and two epidemiologists discuss viral infections on ABC. It’s 2003, and just two years after 9/11, a zombie outbreak stops the world in its tracks. It’s 2023, and three friends that love video games, TV dramas, and podcasting started a new show recapping HBO’s The Last of Us TV series. Whether you’re here for creepy zombie chase scenes or arguments about a car battery, this TV show is for people who love guns and emotions.

For people who love guns and emotions.

Ben Rice McCarthy and Brian Hamilton with Tiff Arment

Cordyceps: attack of the killer fungi - Planet Earth Attenborough BBC wildlife - YouTube

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In advance of the debut of The Last of Us on HBO, Ben and Brian discuss their histories with the video game and their excitement at the cast and crew of the show before analyzing the first teaser trailer. Finally a Mushroom of the Week is crowned. See you all next week!

Recorded December 12, 2022

Trailer Analysis and Expectations

Ben Rice McCarthy and Brian Hamilton

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