The last of us Episode 4, “Please Take My Hand,” took a detour from the games by landing Joel and Ellie in Kansas City and leading the duo straight into an ambush. The episode introduced new characters in the form of a rebel group that managed to overthrow FEDRA at this particular QZ. We find out at the end of the episode that they are looking for iconic game characters Henry and Sam. We meet Kathleen (Melanie Lynskey) and Perry (Jeffrey Pierce), the people leading the rebel group. In a new interview with Vulture Pierce, who previously voiced Joel’s brother Tommy in the games, shed some light on the new characters.
Kathleen and Perry are completely new characters that the creators Craig Mazin And Neil Druckman added to the series. In games, we don’t spend a lot of time in non-player character stories outside of Joel and Ellie’s personal relationships, so it’s great to see these new additions coming to the IP. Speaking about his character, Pierce reveals that “a lot remains to be revealed about who he is”.
He further explains that “Perry fits a lot into the themes that exist in the show” as we saw in the relationship between Joel and Ellie, and Bill and Frank which is “the idea of having found your purpose in this new world.” He adds that Mazin’s script depicted he might be in the military and Pierce ran with that in his portrayal, “This guy was a pro before the outbreak, then got to use these skills as he wandered, then found his purpose with Kathleen and the fight against FEDRA.”
Although the episode we see, Perry is the only one who can talk to Kathleen with any authority. They also hide a secret that will eventually come to light sooner or later. Pierce explains, “I think he’s the only person who’s able to question him because he’s an expert at what he does. But this loyalty is also covered by his love and affection for her. We can make bad decisions when love is at stake, and I think that’s one of the themes of The last of us.” As for Kathleen’s character, he explains that she is “driven by what I think is reasonableness” and an “extreme desire for revenge”. Although he advises against thinking of her as a villain as it takes away all the “shades of gray that exist in the situation”.
Add comment