HBO’s The Last of Us transformed a captivating action game into a richly human drama fueled by intense action sequences. By leveraging the sequel game as source material for season two, showrunners Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann faced an even greater challenge. The first season skillfully expanded the emotional depth of Joel and Ellie’s journey, while also exploring the stories of other characters they encountered along the way. The cast, led by Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, delivered outstanding performances.
It has been over two years since the first season concluded, and now the show is back for its second season, premiering on HBO on Sunday, April 13. I am pleased to report that the series once again successfully captures the essence of the game while addressing some of the minor issues from the first season.
[Editor’s note: This article discusses season two in general terms, avoiding specific plot spoilers. However, it does contain spoilers for season one.]The show picks up where season one left off, with Joel and Ellie returning to the settlement of Jackson, Wyoming, where Joel’s brother Tommy is part of a peaceful community. This is approximately a year after the events of the first season, where the Fireflies tasked Joel with smuggling Ellie across the country. As the story progresses, we see that Joel has come to regard Ellie as a surrogate daughter, replacing the one he lost at the beginning of the outbreak 20 years prior.
Ellie’s immunity to the infection led the Fireflies to believe she might hold the key to a cure. However, when Joel discovered that the procedure to create a cure would kill Ellie, he took drastic action, killing the doctor and a group of soldiers before fleeing with Ellie back to Jackson. As far as Ellie knows, there was no way to create a cure, and Joel rescued her when raiders attacked the Firefly complex.
We soon learn that Joel’s actions against the Fireflies will have significant repercussions, as we are introduced to Abby, played by Kaitlyn Dever, and her crew in the aftermath of the massacre. The story then jumps forward five years, with Ellie and Joel living in the Jackson community, although their relationship is strained. Joel’s therapy sessions with Gail, played by Catherine O’Hara, suggest that the two have had a falling out, but the reasons are not immediately clear.
Unlike the first game, which is a relatively linear experience, The Last of Us Part II is a far more complex narrative with multiple timelines and perspectives. I was curious to see how the show would adapt this structure, but it closely follows the game’s chronology, focusing on the core relationship between Joel and Ellie and the consequences of their actions.
The season’s structure is well-executed, and the multi-pronged plot is easy to follow. The show does a better job this season of balancing action and drama, and the cast delivers strong performances. Ramsey and Pascal have less screen time together compared to the first season, but they make the most of their scenes, and their chemistry remains strong. The addition of new characters, such as Dina, played by Isabela Merced, brings a fresh dynamic to the story.
The Infected are more present in this season, and they are as deadly and terrifying as ever. However, the show also highlights the dangers posed by humans, who are often more unpredictable and threatening. The addition of new characters and plotlines enriches the world of The Last of Us and explores the different ways groups survive in a post-apocalyptic world.
Ellie’s character undergoes significant development as she navigates the consequences of her actions and the weight of her decisions. Ramsey’s performance is outstanding, conveying Ellie’s ferocity and vulnerability in a way that is both convincing and unsettling. The show’s portrayal of Ellie’s fascination with violence and her desire for protection is thought-provoking and disturbing to watch.
The season ends on a cliffhanger, leaving many questions unanswered. This is not surprising, given that the creators have stated that the story of the second game will span at least two seasons. The show’s conclusion is thought-provoking and emotional, and it sets the stage for an intense and thrilling third season.
With only seven episodes, season two has a shorter runtime compared to the first season. The finale feels a bit rushed, and some scenes could have benefited from more time to develop. However, the show’s overall quality, from the acting to the script and set design, makes it a compelling watch. The journey of The Last of Us season two is intense and demands a lot from viewers, but it is a journey worth taking.
