Why I Can’t Get Into *Our Last*

For a long time, I struggled to articulate why I couldn’t engage with the HBO show *Our Last*. It’s not just that I’m not into video games—I mean, I’ve never even played *Fallout*. Weirdly enough, I enjoyed last year’s *Prime Video* series. It’s also not that I dislike the cast; I’ve liked both Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey since their *Game of Thrones* days. So, what is it that’s turning me off from *Our Last*? I actually love gritty and intense dramas. On paper, the show has everything I’d normally enjoy, yet it leaves me completely unmoved.

Then I watched *Andor* Season 2, Episode 10, titled “Make It Stop.” And in contrast, I have to admit, I found Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) to be rather disappointing characters. They strike me as selfish individuals, and I can’t see any reason to root for them.

**Spoilers for *Andor* Season 2 Episode 10 and *Our Last* Season 2 Episode 5**

This *Andor* episode explores the moral complexities in a way that *Our Last* doesn’t. It features characters like Luthen Rael (Stellan Skarsgård) and Kleya (Elizabeth Dulau), who sacrifice for a greater cause rather than giving in to selfish emotions. This is something that *Our Last* seems to lack entirely.

For those who might be unfamiliar with *Our Last*, the first season follows Joel, a grizzled smuggler tasked with transporting Ellie, a teenage girl immune to a pandemic that ravaged the world. As Joel deals with profound personal grief from losing his daughter Sarah, he grows attached to Ellie. When the time comes to face moral choices, he opts for brutality, committing acts of violence in a desperate attempt to protect her. This raises questions about humanity’s future while also framing Joel and Ellie as the protagonists we should root for.

However, *Our Last* nudges us to sympathize with these characters, asking us to forgive their appalling choices because they love one another. I think *Andor* does a much better job at providing a nuanced and tragic portrayal of relationships. The audience sees Luthen Rael as the mastermind of a rebellion, working alongside Kleya. Yet, this intriguing dynamic is put into question in the latest episode.

Flashbacks tell us that Luthen was once an Imperial soldier, deeply conflicted about his past. Rather than continue down a path of destruction, he navigates a new life with Kleya. When imperial forces threaten them, it’s Kleya who takes charge. Showrunner Tony Gilroy hints that Kleya is actually the one holding the reins, suggesting a complex relationship where her strength shines.

The latest episode of *Andor* digs into their relationship, revealing layers that make their choices all the more impactful. When Dedra Meero (Denise Gough) lays siege to Luthen, he attempts a desperate act to protect the rebellion’s secrets—yet it’s Kleya who makes the ultimate sacrifice, allowing Luthen to die for a cause bigger than their personal bond.

In contrast, *Our Last* complicates its main characters’ morality, especially with Ellie showing, disturbingly, that she is aware of the horrors Joel has committed for her sake but remains indifferent about them. This unsettling revelation points to a troubling aspect of their moral compass.

What I see in Kleya and Luthen is a sense of purpose and sacrifice that seems to elude Joel and Ellie. They embody the struggles that come with true love, which often involves hard choices and selflessness. It’s something I hope *Our Last* might aspire to achieve someday.