The Last of Us Episode 8: Who is James? Troy Baker’s role explained – Dexerto

cameron frew

❘ Published: 2023-03-06T03:45:00

❘ Updated: 2023-03-01T20:54:32

Troy Baker, the original voice of Joel, returns to the world of The Last of Us in episode 8 as James, but who is he on the show?

In our review of Episode 8, we called it a “completely horrible, heart-in-mouth TV experience” and a “thrill ride from start to finish.”

Follow Ellie as she falls into the orbit of David (Scott Shepherd), the preacher and leader of a resort-turned-town called Silver Lake. He is friendly, at first, but soon finds out that it was his men who attacked them at the university.

When she meets David, he’s joined by James, played by certified Last of Us legend Troy Baker; Let’s analyze his character.

Minor spoilers for The Last of Us ahead…

Who is Troy Baker’s James in The Last of Us?

James is David’s right-hand man and confidant, generally seen as second in command among the Silver Lake survivors.

His relationship with David is slightly different compared to the game, as David is a preacher and highly respected, as well as feared. In their first scene together, James expresses his concern about the lack of food in the village, to which David accuses him of doubting his leader.

In several later scenes, James disagrees with David: he holds Ellie at gunpoint despite David telling him not to, and tries to kill her after David gave him strict orders to let her live. He argues that it might be “God’s will” for her to die, but David gives him a hard look in response.

Baker voiced Joel alongside Ashley Johnson as Ellie in the games, but was under no illusions that she would have the same role on the show.

“My goal in making the show was for whoever played Joel to teach me something I didn’t know about the character. Show me something I missed. That’s what Peter does. It shows me that Joel is bigger than any performance,” he said. saying.

“I am inspired by Pedro’s performance as Joel. I wish I could go back and do a few different things.”

In an interview with BuzzFeed, Neil Druckmann explained why the original stars couldn’t reprise their roles, and it’s pretty obvious. “The only thing about video games is that you don’t have to look the part, which is why Ashley Johnson, when she was 27, was able to play a 14-year-old girl,” he said.

The article continues after the announcement.

“Troy Baker at the time was a tall, skinny, bleached-haired hipster, but then when he talked and moved, he became the part. That’s why we couldn’t cast those same people in these roles for the show, but they were instrumental in bringing those characters to life.”

The Last of Us Episode 9 will be available to watch on March 12 in the US and March 13 in the UK. Check out the rest of our coverage here.