The Last of Us Episode 5: Unveiling the Masterful Precision of Joel's Shooter Takedown

Summary

The Last of Us episode 5's sniper scene gets assessed by a real sniper expert for its accuracy, receiving a 6/10 rating for realism.

The show aims to achieve realism and authenticity, as Joel's military experience justifies his exceptional sniper abilities. Although the action sequences may lack realism, the depiction of the Cordyceps infection is grounded in an actual fungal infection, which maintains a disconcerting atmosphere throughout the series.

The accuracy of the sniper scene in episode 5 of The Last of Us is evaluated by a real sniper expert. In this HBO series based on the popular video game, Joel (played by Pedro Pascal), a tough survivor, is given the task of escorting Ellie (played by Bella Ramsey), a teenager with immunity, across a post-apocalyptic United States. In episode 5, after leaving Kansas City, they become the target of a sniper in an upper-story window. Joel manages to sneak up on and kill the sniper, but not before the sniper is able to communicate with Kathleen (played by Melanie Lynskey), who arrives with her militia to aid Joel as he protects Ellie from the sniper perch.

In a new video released by Insider, Nicholas Irving, a former special-operations sniper, evaluates the accuracy of the sniper scene in The Last of Us episode 5. Overall, Irving does not have many issues with the scene, although he does mention ways in which the characters could have acted more effectively. In the end, Irving rates the realism of the sniper scene a 6/10. To read his full commentary or watch the specific portion of the video, please start at the 9:00 minute mark below.

Remaining still while pinned down by a sniper is incredibly dangerous, almost guaranteeing a fatal outcome. It's only a matter of time before the sniper finds a way to hit their intended target. To increase your chances of survival, it's best to quickly maneuver in a zigzag pattern and escape as swiftly as possible.

In sniper school, they emphasize the importance of preventing the enemy from approaching your location, as they could easily sneak up behind you. If two or three shots are fired from your sniper hide, it's a sign that your position has been compromised. Ideally, you would need to relocate to a new spot. Once you establish a well-concealed sniper hide, escaping after the second or third shot becomes increasingly difficult. However, there are effective countermeasures to deter intruders from entering the hideout. For instance, we may set up claymore mines or booby traps behind us, and often have a team member armed with a machine gun positioned to watch our back.

The performance wasn't too bad, considering it was nighttime without night vision. We managed to hit targets, although the distances were very close. Our setup included a sniper scope with a PVS 14 night vision attachment mounted on the front. However, bolt guns, especially in dusty conditions, are prone to jamming. Unlike semi-automatic rifles that operate faster, bolt guns' slower process and exposed bolt make them more susceptible to collecting dust and causing jams.

This is becoming challenging. Honestly, I'd rate it a six because it's understandable to miss shots in such nighttime conditions.

How Realistic Is The Last of Us?

The Last of Us, both the video game and HBO adaptation, prioritize authenticity and immersion. The game's grounded approach is carried over into the show, which even goes the extra mile to be more realistic than its source material. A notable change is Joel's character, now a war veteran from Operation Desert Storm, explaining his proficiency in stealth and marksmanship.

However, despite receiving an average rating from Irving, the action scenes in HBO's Last of Us aren't the most realistic aspect of the show. The adaptation made alterations to the Cordyceps brain infection, basing it on a real-life fungal infection that affects ants, resulting in a more believable portrayal in live-action. The show opens with a gripping scene of a scientist warning about the dangers of fungi, setting a chilling and authentic tone for the entire series.

Source: Insider