Update: VGC has confirmed that Sky will also premiere episode 5 early in the UK. The episode will be available from 2am GMT Feb 11 via Sky On Demand and NOW.
We can all agree that HBO's The Last of Us is making waves, even among those that don't play video games. Episode 3, portraying Bill and Frank's lives, has been the high point in the series so far – telling an altered but touching story about two soulmates that are brought together by the end of the world. Those who cried during this episode have no idea what's in store for them in season two. It's clear that TLOU is HBO's current big show, taking the same slot as Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon – so, naturally, everyone has been organising their lives and plans around the show.
However, this Monday there's the little matter of Super Bowl 2023. The Philadelphia Eagles, of 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia' fame, will take on the Kansas City Chiefs – who clearly aren't popular enough to be mentioned in a TV show. Anyway, the players from these teams probably don't want to be distracted by wondering what's going to happen in The Last of Us episode five, and so, HBO has graciously decided to stream the episode early for them. Instead of its usual Monday slot, the next episode will be available to stream on Friday, February 10, at 9 pm.
It's unclear why the NFL refused to just postpone the Super Bowl, out of respect for the evidently larger event of TLOU episode five, but HBO decided to be the bigger person and let the game of football (hand-egg) have its time in the sun. Hey, if the Eagles win, at least we'll get a good episode of Sunny out of it.
Coincidentally, the trailer of the latest episode reveals that Ellie and Joel will be making their way through a "free" Kansas City – what a great week for the city. Fans of the series will recognise Henry and Sam from the game as well. There's also an appearance by Jeffrey Pierce, who did the voice and motion capture for Tommy in the game, as well as Melanie Lynskey, who you'll instantly recognise as Rose from Two and a Half Men.