SPOILERS FOR THE LAST OF US SEASON 1 & SEASON 2 EPISODE 1!
The newest season of HBO’s The Last of Us is finally here and it’s dropped its first episode. Whilst those who’ve played the game likely know whats in-store for us as the season moves forward, it’s still intriguing to see where things are at as we pick-up Joel & Ellie’s story after the conclusion of season 1. Whilst I know constantly comparing a tv show to its original source material can at times be a hinderance to the overall enjoyment of the show, the game and specifically the second game in which this season is based off, is so incredibly divisive both loved and hated that it’s difficult not too. I’ll do my best to review the show as the singular entity that it is in this format, its near impossible not to draw comparisons when at times the show and game become the identical when they recreate scenes, stories and even dialogue exactly as it was in the original game.
If for some reason you decided to click on an article talking about season 2 and you’ve not seen season 1 (no judgement here, just confusion), season 1 ends with the controversial decision of Joel murdering the Firefly’s. Upon being informed the Firefly’s can *potentially* manufacture a cure to the virus that infects the world, but it means killing Ellie, Joel goes all John Wick on their asses. He then proceeds to lie to Ellie about what happened and said that the Firefly’s didn’t need her and very much leaves out the details on his very bloody escape. Whilst many debate whether Joels decision was right or wrong, to those who are parents, I can’t imagine too many that don’t whole heartedly agree with what he did even if it does make him a villain.
So, where does season 2 of The Last of Us start? Well with a stranger of course, looking awfully sad over some graves. Is she important? BOY YOU BETCHA, but we will catch up with her later. We pick-up Joel & Ellie’s story 5-years later in Jackson and we find that their relationship is very much struggling. Joel is in therapy working through some of his many, many issues. Ellie however is currently protecting the city of Jackson and going on patrols.
The Last of Us has never really been a fast-paced show, or even video game, the first episode however does choose to slow things down and take a bit of a walking start to the season. Which hey, that’s great, I was really expecting to need therapy myself after this episode after how much trauma the first season gave me and from also knowing what is coming because of playing the second game. We get to see more of life in Jackson and the post-apocalyptic town lives that Joel, Tommy, and Ellie have now made for themselves.
Something that I enjoyed greatly about the first season was how it walked the line between retelling the story but also offering more too it. That said I feel the total recreation and line for line retelling of some of the exact scenes from the game can draw division between the game and show as people can’t separate them as different entities and start to pick favourites in game/show castings. But the few scenes that received this treatment in this episode I thought were far more impactful than when previously done. Like the Joel standing up for Ellie scene towards the end of the episode, ripped right out of the games and was *chefs kiss*.
A noteworthy performance from the first episode was Isabela Merced as Dina, Ellies love interest, who I’ll admit, I questioned when cast as the original performance artist from the game I thought would’ve been perfect. But Isabela Merced I thought proved us all wrong with a stellar and under rated performance.
Overall, The Last of Us season 2 returns far quieter than I expected, feeling like its slowly creeping in before it gets the jump on you. The shows cinematography, lighting, and audio engineering is also just as phenomenal after an incredible first season. Whilst there are casting choices and performances, I’m not 100% sold on yet, there’s still plenty of time to be proven wrong as the show unfolds in the coming weeks. With the young girl from the start of the episode finding her way to Jackson there’s no doubt that the next episode will kick the season off in its main story.
