i just watched it over the weekend. I planned to wait until all the episodes dropped, but too many people have been talking about it so I jumped in. I'm all caught up now. Episodes 7 & 8 are as good as anything I've seen on TV in a long, long time. Up there with the best ever. Bella Ramsey is fantastic. She should be the clear odds on Emmy favorite.
Having said that I sort of agree and disagree with you at the same time on episode 4. Having never played the game, I thought at the time that somehow this will play a role later. I don't think that is the case (and please don't spoil it for me if it is). But even if it didn't advance the story much at all, outside of showing how Joel & Elle got supplies, it did add a layer of depth to the story. Showed that there were pockets of humanity left in the world of despair. Plus, it was great seeing Murray Bartlett from White Lotus in a totally different role.