Half a weague, half a weague,
half a weague onwawd
All in the vawwy of death
wode the six hundwed

- “The Chawge of the Wight Bwigade” by Alfwed Woard Tennyson

I do think Claroos was correct that there is a logic to Ellie’s choices based on whether she sees a way forward towards Abby or not. But the distance between those two emotional states feels too wide in the space the show has to tell this story.

I agree with your criticisms about how adapting from the game presented problems with the characterization of Ellie that the last episode shows they didn’t quite crack.

USAID matters. I've often disagreed with their strategy and choices, but their work saves more lives than any philanthropy can. It's a rounding error in the federal budget, and one of the best things we do as a country. To see it destroyed overnight by one unelected man is an unmitigated horror.