Introduction to Season Two of The Last of Us

The second season of HBO’s The Last of Us is just around the corner, and excitement is building up. A full trailer was released during a panel at SXSW, featuring the show’s creators and cast. The trailer and panel discussion highlighted a significant change in the upcoming season: more action.

Addressing Fan Complaints

The first season received widespread acclaim from critics and fans, but some viewers felt that the Infected were not as prominent as they could have been. The new trailer showcases the town of Jackson under siege by a massive wave of Infected, potentially taking up an entire episode. Show creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann hinted that the Infected would play a bigger role in the new season, not just in terms of numbers.

Evolution of the Infected

Mazin stated that it was essential to move forward with the Infected and make their presence meaningful. Druckmann added that everything in the show, including action scenes, is character-driven. The trailer introduces a new way for the infection to spread: spores. While spores were absent in the first season, Mazin confirmed their return, saying, "Spores? They’re back!" Druckmann explained that there had to be a dramatic reason to introduce spores now, and now there is.

Behind-the-Scenes

Druckmann revealed that the reason the Infected weren’t more present in the first season was that the showrunners weren’t sure what they were doing in terms of depicting the Infected on screen. However, now they know what they’re doing and have "swung for the fences." The show’s creators want to show what’s at stake, not just for individuals but for the entire community.

Community and Tribalism

The notion of community plays a significant role in the overarching story of season two. Druckmann explained that the first season followed Joel and Ellie as they navigated different communities, while the new season explores their settling in Jackson and the concept of tribalism. Mazin added that the show investigates the cost of love and the sense of communal love, and how a smaller group can fit into it.

New Cast Members

The panel also focused on how new cast members, including Kaitlyn Dever (Abby), Isabela Merced (Dina), and Young Mazino (Jesse), would integrate with returning stars Bella Ramsey (Ellie), Pedro Pascal (Joel), and Gabriel Luna (Tommy). Pascal praised the new cast, saying they came in like "badasses" and made it easy for everyone to work together.

Cast Dynamics

Ramsey spoke about how well the new cast members fit in during filming, saying it was a joy to work with them. Dever acknowledged the anxiety of stepping into a beloved world but expressed her excitement about building the character with Mazin and Druckmann. The cast’s chemistry and respect for each other have been evident throughout the press tour, particularly between Ramsey and Pascal.

Conclusion

The relationships between characters are crucial to the show’s success, whether it’s Joel and Ellie or the new dynamics introduced in season two. With the show’s creators and cast seemingly getting everything right, season two is expected to satisfy fans, regardless of the number of Infected on screen. A fan-captured clip of Pascal watching the season two trailer during the panel shows him getting emotional, highlighting the strong bonds between the characters and the cast.