[flagged]
A long time ago I read a book (can't remember the name) by a producer that outlined all the things that work in a book that just don't work in a film/tv show. It could be updated for video games.
The TV show format would not allow enough time for this kind of evolution and audiences would have lost patience with the Ellie character had she developed as you described.
TLOU is by no means perfect as a show but a lot of the criticism I've seen boils down to "it's not like the game".
I think the last word should go to Ashley Johnson [1]
"I'm so proud that I got to play a strong female character who isn't a sexualised or a damsel in distress, or the opposite of that". Ellie in the TV show embodies that perfectly. Just because it doesn't fit with your preconceptions doesn't make it "woke".
The Hawksian woman:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawksian_woman
I cannot recommend Ball of Fire and His Girl Friday highly enough. For a more modern Hawksian woman, there is Leigh in:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assault_on_Precinct_13_(1976_f...
I also really enjoy Johnny Guitar where two strong women essentially lead the movie. I still don't know how it was ever made in its time.
https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-front-row/johnny-guita...
You picked the right quote to make my point for me.
> she is a tough girl boss from the very start and isn't fazed by things most people would freak out at
She literally sees people get hanged all the time and their corpses burned because she lives in a world where humanity is on the brink of extinction and people sometimes turn into monsters, both literally and figuratively. Death is not a thing that happens behind closed doors to her.
Her toughness is a projection, and her anger is a defense mechanism. She is a scared little girl living in a world where showing weakness is not ok.
She has a fascination will firearms because they represent the power she lacks but thinks will make her feel safe.
She has abandonment issues and so tests people by trying to push them away, hoping they won't go. She pretends she doesn't need anybody because she knows how badly she really does.
She's a much more nuanced character than you give her credit for.
Why isn't Joel's rugged blue-colar daddy type with a sorted past, but who's always right, considered to be a hack job?
What does this have to do with (rolls eyes) 'wokeness'? Why is this just the default criticism of everything on HN nowadays?
If you want people to engage your remarks with more detailed responses, put more work into writing them instead of presuming to coach others on how to reply. For example, you can start by describing exactly what you mean by "woke" if it sincerely was meant to be anything more than an angry jab at people you disagree with.
If you think Ellie was "weak" in the game you're so dead wrong it's not even funny. She's strong from the get go, whether you notice it or not.