Amid the Ruins Story Tactics - Tie-Ins to Season 1
Sorry if this has been done already - I just quickly wished to jump in and write out all of my observations while they were still fresh in my mind. -
I provide a bit of detail/explanation for each observation/theory - but whoever may be reading this can definitely have the choice just to scroll through the main entries in the list!
- (If You Cut Off Sarita's Arm & Decide to stab her in the Head) - Kenny, Clementine and Sarita in the horde - Similar to Larry, Lilly, and Kenny in the meat locker -
As soon as I saw Kenny looking down at Sarita - begging her to hang on while Clementine watched in apprehension, I was instantly reminded of Lilly doing the same thing for Larry when he had the heart attack in the meat locker - and how Lee and Kenny stood by in doubt. Clementine's action of stabbing her in the head felt instantly reminiscent of Kenny slamming the salt lick on Larry's head to prevent him from turning. - An impulsive, cautionary action taken in the best interests, but caused major offense at the expense of the person who was tending to the fallen survivor.
- Jane Reflecting Remorsefully on How She Could No Longer Protect Her Younger Sister - Similar to Molly from Season One lamenting how Crawford captured her diabetic sister.
Both involved very different scenarios - with Molly's sister getting taken against her will, while Jane's sister Jamie essentially lost the will to live - but both confessions were very poignant and sad nevertheless. Both revealings showed just how much pain and adversity the two courageous women had faced - and how resilient their characters must have been in order to persevere through all the hardships & survive.
There were actually a lot of strong resemblances between Molly and Jane, I felt. Both can open up and form a deeper friendship with the protagonist, are incredibly skilled in combat & can hold their own in facing off walkers, attack with melee weapons, introduce effective strategies in maneuvering around walkers, and they both can leave the group because they feel they do better on their own (Jane canonically says this, while Molly will say this if she was saved at the school.)
Also - Molly fends off walkers while Lee hatches up an escape plan to get out of the garage - while Jane did the same thing in killing off walkers to give Clem time to think of ways to get in and out of the trailer.
Lastly - this one is a really small detail - Molly grabs onto Lee's hand and helps him up to escape walkers in the garage - and Jane does the same for Luke in the trailer.
- The Group Being Wary of Kenny's Emotional Health and Mental Stability - Similar to Lilly's deteriorating tolerance level and depression putting everyone on edge in Season 1, Episode 3 : A Long Road Ahead
This one is pretty self-explanatory. It always fascinated me how although they always butted heads, Lilly and Kenny tended to actually have a lot more in common than they may have initially thought. (I definitely she is coming back into the storyline at some point to bring out even more traits in Kenny).
- THE ONE THAT TRULY STUCK OUT TO ME THE MOST Jane and Clementine going in to rescue Luke and an emotionally-distraught Sarah - Similar to Carley, Glenn, and Lee going in to rescue Irene- the woman trapped in the Motor Inn that was in distress.
This felt like almost a mirror reflection of the original classic scene. The set-up seemed exactly the same as well as the tone and the tension. I was literally shouting at my screen : "THIS IS TOTALLY A SEASON ONE THROWBACK!" when I saw it unfold. Even the zombie appearances/movements seemed exactly the same!
Yet I say this with fascination and respect - and not disdain or disapproval. It truly was a great way to amp up the story once more.
- Clementine separating the deck to prevent the walkers from entering in - Irene, Glenn, Lee, and Carley breaking and falling off of the deck at the Motor Inn (If Lee refuses to let Irene kill herself)
I did not catch it right away - but after continuous thought I did pick up on the detail and felt they were similar - although this one is probably the most likely to be entirely coincidental.
- (If You Arrange for Clementine to Help Jane Up) - Similar to Omid and Lee Helping Christa up (If Ben Was Dropped From the Tower)
The exact animation seemed to be provided for both of these scenes - and the action the player had to take was pretty much the same. Pressing the button continuously in order to help lift Christa/Jane
There were many other tie-ins as well - such as -
Kenny in remorse for losing someone he loves (gosh, this man just really needs a break),
Clementine (Determinedly) mentioning that she was with a different group before - and they seemed to function better than the current group
The heartfelt Lee mention at the history museum
Arvo arranging the medical supplies in a particular spot like Ben had for the bandits
The Russian gang taking the Survivors hostage by gunpoint like the bandits
- and (the no-brainer) Luke and Kenny bickering like Lilly and Kenny had in Season One. (Of course!)
Sorry if this was long - and if anything seemed far-fetched. Exploring themes and motifs is an activity that I live for!
I can't imagine that I covered everything - so definitely share any observations you may have had that seemed to match Season One - definitely share!
Happy browsing!
Comments
Who is Erin?
Oops Erin is the voice actress for Molly! Thanks for picking up on that - editing it now!
Great observations! These were all such a treat to read, it's prompting me to attempt to think of other neat little tidbits they might have slipped in.
You'll notice that, for the first time in this entire season, they straight up USED music from Season 1. It had been existent in previous episodes, but always changed a bit... This time it was straight up throwback.
Thank-you so much for the reply! Yes, definitely share if you think of anything! I love TellTale because I feel the sprinkle in subtle draw-backs all the time. I love how many things come full circle.
My most favorite instance of all (thus far!) Luke explaining to Clementine in A House Divided how family is the most important thing to have in a zombie apocalypse - Similar to Hershel telling Lee that family is "all that matters."
Wow! Really? I had actually had not picked up on that entirely - thank-you so much for sharing! My mind was probably still reeling from what happened to Sarah (in either scenario!) This would definitely be fitting for this episode - as they were venturing out without that much hope lurking in front of them.
I always felt this episode had alot of Season One tie-ins that made it feel almost nostalgic. Hell when you went with Jane to save Luke/Sarah I was like. TOTAL CALLBACK.
This is indeed a throwback episode!