The Last of Us thrills viewers with an episode for the ages

James Cox

* This article contains spoilers if you're not up to date with The Last of Us, season two*

The Last of Us produced one of the greatest episodes in recent TV memory in the most recent episode.

'The Rains of Castamere' in Game of Thrones, 'Ozymandias' in Breaking Bad, and now 'Through the Valley' in The Last of Us.

The Last of Us has consistently matched expectations and proven doubters wrong. First people said the zombie genre was overplayed after The Walking Dead. Wrong. Others claimed The Last of Us wouldn't do justice to the video game it's based on. Wrong again.

One more spoiler warning if you haven't seen episodes one and two of The Last of Us, season two. 

Fans of the game knew this was coming, but probably not how brutal it would be.

Creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann have produced a thrilling story that is enhanced by their writing and powerful characters.

At its core, the last of us is all about the journey and growth of the protagonists Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey).

That made Joel's brutal end even more difficult to watch for viewers.

Ellie's distance from her father figure was made all the more tragic as she was forced to witness him being brutally tortured and killed by Abby (Kaitlyn Dever).

The characters and their story has always come above the action in The Last of Us, but this episode had plenty of both.

The assault on Jackson from a horde of infected was visually stunning, and the devastation they caused to the sanctuary was only matched by Joel's death.

It's been the role of a lifetime for Pascal, and he'll be missed, but flashback scenes are likely in the next few episodes.

To have an episode this good very early is highly promising for the series, and the entrance of Dever (also known for Dopesick and Apple Cider Vinegar), is very promising.

The Last of Us season two, episode three will be available on NOW and Sky on Monday in Ireland.