In the season 2 finale, we break down the episode’s biggest turning points and how they reshape the narrative going forward. We get into the tension at the theater, the shifting dynamics between characters, and the final moments that officially pass the baton to a new perspective. There's debate over the writing, the performances, and whether this season stuck the landing.

Episode URL: mtb.gg/3oa

Hosts:

Jarret Redding
bsky.app/profile/jaastradam.us

Bob Schissler
twitch.tv/blazzinbob

Thank you for listening to a Mash Those Buttons podcast! You can keep up with all of our podcasts in the following locations.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We dive into Episode 6, "The Price," and why it might be the best episode of the season so far. We talk about the emotional weight of the flashbacks, Pedro Pascal’s unforgettable final performance, and whether this version of Ellie can carry the emotional and physical weight of the journey. We break down the timeline inconsistencies, the choice to stack all of Joel’s flashbacks into one episode, and how that changes the show’s pacing and impact. Plus, we get into the symbolism of the moth, museum memories, and our growing skepticism about what’s coming in the finale.

Episode URL: mtb.gg/3o7

Hosts:

Jarret Redding
bsky.app/profile/jaastradam.us

Bob Schissler
twitch.tv/blazzinbob

Thank you for listening to a Mash Those Buttons podcast! You can keep up with all of our podcasts in the following locations.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 5 brings two of the most anticipated events of season 2: Spores and Ellie's encounter with Nora. We discuss the changes and similarities for both of those and what it means for the show, but also dig into the constant ineptitude of Ellie in the TV show. Jaa says this episode completes her character assassination. We also discuss Ellie and Dina's handling of the warehouse, and the differences in Ellie and Jessie's relationship in the TV show.

Episode URL: mtb.gg/3o1

Hosts:

Jarret Redding
bsky.app/profile/jaastradam.us

Bob Schissler
twitch.tv/blazzinbob

Thank you for listening to a Mash Those Buttons podcast! You can keep up with all of our podcasts in the following locations.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We start by focusing on the bold decision to cut the first half of Seattle Day One, removing key locations like the Saravina Hotel. We discuss the music store scene and its impact without the emotional callbacks to Joel. Isaac’s backstory gets a major shift, transforming him from a ruthless WLF leader into a complex former Fedra officer, with a chilling interrogation scene that sets the tone for his character. We also hit the tense TV station sequence, the chaotic subway escape, and Dina’s dramatic reaction to Ellie’s immunity, questioning whether the show captures the same intensity as the game.

Episode URL: mtb.gg/3o0

Hosts:

Jarret Redding
bsky.app/profile/jaastradam.us

Bob Schissler
twitch.tv/blazzinbob

Thank you for listening to a Mash Those Buttons podcast! You can keep up with all of our podcasts in the following locations.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is every episode 3 going to be a huge departure from the game? We were surprised to see a three month time jump, but discussed that it ultimately might serve the show better. We can see the ripple affects of the changes made to the show, as key points have been shifted to account for creative changes. We discuss Dina and Ellie's developing relationship, Seth's redemption arc, the introduction of the Seraphites, and what all these changes mean for the story in the future.

Episode URL: mtb.gg/3nu

Hosts:

Jarret Redding
bsky.app/profile/jaastradam.us

Bob Schissler
twitch.tv/blazzinbob

Thank you for listening to a Mash Those Buttons podcast! You can keep up with all of our podcasts in the following locations.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This was the big week! We unpack the emotional aftermath of this episodes events and the intense fan reaction it sparked online. We debate whether the show should have diverged from the game's storyline while discussing key moments like Abby's dream sequence and the Jackson siege. Our conversation also touches on an intriguing theory about the canceled multiplayer game, as we process our thoughts about this pivotal moment in the series.

Episode URL: mtb.gg/3np

Hosts:

Jarret Redding
bsky.app/profile/jaastradam.us

Bob Schissler
twitch.tv/blazzinbob

Thank you for listening to a Mash Those Buttons podcast! You can keep up with all of our podcasts in the following locations.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Last of Us Season 2 premiere breakdown explores Abby's introduction, Joel and Ellie's new life in Jackson, and how the show adapts The Last of Us Part II's storyline. We discuss the evolution of key relationships and character motivations while highlighting significant departures from the game's narrative. The episode sets up central themes of revenge, survival, and broken trust that will drive this season forward (hopefully). New characters and plot developments provide fresh perspectives on this post-apocalyptic world to keep things fresh for those of us that have played the game. In our discussion of episode 1, we use what we know to see if we can figure out where we are heading this season.

Episode URL: mtb.gg/3nh

Hosts:

Jarret Redding
bsky.app/profile/jaastradam.us

Bob Schissler
twitch.tv/blazzinbob

Thank you for listening to a Mash Those Buttons podcast! You can keep up with all of our podcasts in the following locations.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're gearing up for Season 2 of The Last of Us on HBO. Early warning, this episode is possibly spoilery. We dig into what the trailers and how they mirror what's in the game, and also some new things we see, like Jackson under seige. We discuss where potential narrative changes may happen, and the possibility of the story being told in chronological order. We talk if the show will be able to relay the narrative of The Last of Us Part 2 properly, considering it was a story based in violence versus one about healing. We also welcome spores into TLoU HBO universe.

Episode URL: mtb.gg/3nf

Hosts:

Jarret Redding
bsky.app/profile/jaastradam.us

Bob Schissler
twitch.tv/blazzinbob

Thank you for listening to a Mash Those Buttons podcast! You can keep up with all of our podcasts in the following locations.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We held many of our thoughts back this season as we were going through the episodes, but in this episode we don't hold back. We give our final thoughts on season 1, discussing what we felt went right and what went wrong. We're also joined by a special guest, who watched the show before playing the game, to get their perspective on it. We discuss the differences in characters, major moments from the game that were missing, and we also discuss some of the challenges they may face adapting the second game in season 2.

Episode URL: mtb.gg/3nc

Hosts:

Jarret Redding
bsky.app/profile/jaastradam.us

Bob Schissler
twitch.tv/blazzinbob

Thank you for listening to a Mash Those Buttons podcast! You can keep up with all of our podcasts in the following locations.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joel and Ellie's journey comes to an end as they finally find the Fireflies. Actually, more like the Fireflies find them. This is the shortest episode of the season, but we felt like that extra time could have been used to explore some character depth more, especially in the case of Marlene. We discuss the evolution of Joel and Ellie, the writers shoe-horing dialog in where it didn't fit, Marlene's underlying mental state, and of course, Joel's actions at the end of the show.

Episode URL: mtb.gg/3n9

Hosts:

Jarret Redding
bsky.app/profile/jaastradam.us

Bob Schissler
twitch.tv/blazzinbob

Thank you for listening to a Mash Those Buttons podcast! You can keep up with all of our podcasts in the following locations.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices