The highly anticipated second season of HBO’s The Last of Us is currently unfolding, with new episodes airing every Sunday night. Each Monday morning, Ars’ Kyle Orland, a player of the original games, and Andrew Cunningham, who is less familiar with the source material, will share their perspectives on the episodes. Readers are advised that these recaps contain significant spoilers, so watching the episode beforehand is recommended for those wishing to remain unspoiled.
Kyle: To kick things off, Andrew, can you summarize your recollections from the first season as someone who hasn’t played the games, and what you’ve gathered about the upcoming season?
Andrew: Going into the first season, I had a general awareness of The Last of Us, particularly the premise involving an older man and a young girl navigating a post-apocalyptic world. The series essentially focuses on Joel and Ellie as they struggle to survive, with Ellie’s possible immunity to the deadly fungal infection serving as a glimmer of hope for a cure.
The first season concluded on a tense note, with the Fireflies—a group of survivalists and scientists—potentially threatening Ellie’s life for research purposes. This prompted Joel to go on a violent rampage to protect her, leading to a heartbreaking lie to Ellie as they returned to the last human settlement they visited, where Joel’s brother and family reside.
For this new season, I’m entering with a clean slate. I’m not involved in TV fandoms or up-to-date with casting news or plot leaks. I do have a vague understanding that the second game didn’t receive as much acclaim as the first, so I feel a bit like a blank canvas ready to absorb the second season of a show I enjoy.
Kyle: That vague idea you have might stem from my own feelings. I adored the first game, especially the bond between Joel and Ellie, and I felt the first season portrayed that beautifully. The endings of both the game and the show’s first season felt almost perfect to me, and I worry any continuation may struggle to live up to that standard.
That said, the premiere of season two drew me in more than I anticipated. One striking aspect of both the game and this new season is the sight of Joel and Ellie seemingly thriving in a community that offers comforts like electricity, music, and food—quite a contrast to their previously harsh reality.
Andrew: It’s clear both characters face their own challenges in this new environment. They are distinctly self-reliant individuals. Ellie, now 19 after a five-year time jump, continues to break rules, often to the detriment of those around her.
Meanwhile, Joel embodies that individualistic spirit, happily helping others but having rejected a collective mindset when it mattered most last season. When conflict inevitably arises, they might not be the best allies to have.
I have a pressing question about the game: Is season two adapting The Last of Us Part II directly, or is it carving its own path, or perhaps a mix of both, or is it still too early to tell?
Kyle: Based on what I know, it will adapt the initial sections of the second game—given its length—while also making adjustments and expansions to the storyline, similar to how the highly praised Nick Offerman episode enhanced the narrative last season. For instance, Joel’s therapy scene was created specifically for the show, and I find it enhances a similar moment from the game.
This episode also re-arranges certain scenes from the game to improve chronological coherence, which I appreciate.
The show effectively captures Ellie at 19, portraying her relatable teenage behavior towards Joel, the father figure. Even in a post-apocalyptic world, it’s a nice touch that feels realistic for anyone familiar with the hurdles of raising teens.
Andrew: Joel’s therapist is played by the wonderful Catherine O’Hara, adding an unexpected delight to the narrative. Being unaware of casting choices allowed me to enjoy the moment without prior knowledge.
As for the storytelling, it retains the video game’s engaging aspects, quickly immersing us in a dilapidated grocery store rich with environmental storytelling, like Ellie observing a birthday banner and a wall celebrating the “Employee of the Year” from 2003.
And as always, we encounter a new variant of infected, maintaining some tactical instincts while not charging blindly. Certain jump scares felt so reminiscent of quick-time events that I almost reached for a controller to assist Ellie.
Kyle: The stealth sequence in the grocery store evokes strong memories from the game. There was an implication that the zombie exhibited traces of humanity, struggling against the infection, which was chilling to witness.
Andrew: Absolutely! The concept of infection conveyed through fungus remains both creepy and visually captivating, helping The Last of Us stand apart from other zombie narratives.
This seems to signal a shift to a Phase 2 in post-apocalyptic storytelling. Phase 1 introduces the infection and societal collapse, while Phase 2 explores humanity’s attempt to rebuild. Yet, perhaps the greatest threat lies within humanity itself?
I find Phase 2 generally less engaging, as countless shows explore human antagonism, but Joel and Ellie’s unique chemistry could keep me captivated.
Kyle: The first game already established that theme of “humans are the real monsters.” While I don’t want to reveal too much, human conflict will indeed play a more significant role as the story progresses.
Speaking of conflict, what did you think of the brief glimpse we got of Abby, who leads a vengeful group seeking retribution for Joel’s actions?
Andrew: My initial reaction was to notice how polished and well-groomed these “apocalypse survivors” appear, especially compared to the weathered looks of Joel and Ellie.
On a more serious note, it’s evident that Joel’s past actions are a ticking time bomb, bound to expose themselves. His reluctance to confront the truth has prompted him into therapy, where he insists to a woman—the presumed spouse of the person he killed—that he is a “good guy.” Ellie’s distance from Joel clearly reflects her sense that something isn’t quite right, alongside typical teenage rebellion.
Interestingly, it seems Joel struggles more with the lie he told Ellie than with the violence he committed. The presence of fresh-faced Fireflies tracking him down suggests he may have to confront both truths.
Kyle: Joel seems to be at peace with sacrificing everything for Ellie, yet the burden of her discovering the truth about his actions is a different story altogether.
Andrew: Oops!! Nobody’s perfect!
Kyle: I’m sure Abby will appreciate it when Joel explains he simply made a mistake.
Andrew: Honestly, it’s hard to believe they’re still holding a grudge after a five-year time skip. Can’t we all just get past this?
As we wrap up, are there any game moments you’re particularly eager to see in the show? Or are you hoping this season addresses story elements that didn’t resonate with you in the game?
Kyle: I don’t have to spoil anything to share that I’m looking forward to the dance scene, which was thrilling both in the game and is something I was eager to witness on-screen. This moment was featured prominently during Sony’s memorable E3 2018 presentation, marking their last official showing at the event.
The scene made a fan out of me for the song “.44 Pistol,” and I’m excited to see how Ellie’s social experiences play out. While the game didn’t deliver a completely satisfying or believable evolution for her character, I’m hopeful the show might smooth some rough edges and present a more compelling arc.
Andrew: True, while video games typically get remastered to preserve the original experience, a high-quality multi-season TV adaptation provides a unique chance for a creative overhaul.
Kyle: Given how HBO approached the first season, I remain optimistic that they will effectively blend the rich world-building of the games with added depth and sophistication to the storyline as it unfolds.
