How the Second Season of 'The Last of Us' Kicked Off

In April, the gripping post-apocalyptic thriller infused with drama and horror, The Last of Us, returned for its highly anticipated second season. Drawing from the 2020 sequel to the iconic 2013 video game, the series continues to captivate audiences. Here, we explore the triumphs and shortcomings of the season’s opening episodes and how they diverge from Naughty Dog’s acclaimed game, The Last of Us Part II.

On April 20, the second episode of the second season of The Last of Us, crafted by Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann (the latter also the game’s creator), aired on Max. Following a critically acclaimed debut season in 2023, which became a flagship hit for the streaming platform, expectations were sky-high.

Set five years after the emotionally charged finale of the first season, the second season follows Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) as they settle into life in the Jackson community. Their relationship faces new strains, while a looming threat emerges. A young woman named Abby (Kaitlyn Dever), driven by vengeance, seeks Joel. As the daughter of a Firefly doctor killed by Joel to save Ellie from a fatal procedure meant to yield a fungal infection cure, Abby’s quest for retribution sets the stage for a harrowing conflict.

Thus far, the second season of The Last of Us largely mirrors the central plot of The Last of Us Part II. Abby’s pursuit of vengeance against Joel sparks a bitter rivalry with Ellie, though this clash is only beginning to unfold in the early episodes. With a third season already greenlit, it’s too soon to fully judge the adaptation’s handling of this pivotal storyline.

However, several notable differences from the source material are already apparent. One challenge lies in depicting Ellie’s evolution. In the game, Ellie matures significantly over the five-year gap, transforming from a child into a young adult. Bella Ramsey, while a compelling performer, appears much the same as in the first season, where she portrayed a younger Ellie. This visual continuity creates a jarring disconnect, undermining the series’ ability to convey Ellie’s growth as convincingly as the game.

Abby’s portrayal also diverges from the original. In The Last of Us Part II, Abby’s formidable physicality was a defining trait, rooted in her relentless drive to avenge her father’s death. Kaitlyn Dever delivers a nuanced performance, yet her more conventional build lacks the imposing presence that made the game’s Abby so striking. This shift softens the character’s impact, rendering her less memorable and emotionally resonant compared to her video game counterpart.

The The Last of Us games were never about grand spectacle, thriving instead on intimate, character-driven storytelling. Yet, Mazin and Druckmann seem intent on broadening the series’ appeal, introducing larger-scale sequences absent from the source material. A standout moment in the opening episodes is a thrilling infected attack on Jackson, a scene crafted for the screen. While visually impressive, it feels more like a crowd-pleasing flourish than a meaningful enhancement, particularly for viewers familiar with the game’s restrained scope.

The infected themselves have also undergone changes. In the series’ first season, they were already formidable, but the second season portrays them as even more cunning. This escalation, which includes scenes of massive infected hordes, feels excessive. In the games, the infected were terrifying enough without such amplification, and this alteration risks overshadowing the story’s human drama.

These deviations raise questions about the second season’s fidelity as an adaptation of The Last of Us Part II. Still, for viewers unacquainted with the games, the series remains a compelling watch, brimming with suspense, drama, and intricate plotting. The cast, including Pedro Pascal, Gabriel Luna, and Isabela Merced as Dina, delivers strong performances, with Pascal and Merced shining particularly bright. While Bella Ramsey’s Ellie may not match the raw intensity of Ashley Johnson’s game performance, she holds her own admirably. Coupled with assured direction and striking cinematography, these strengths elevate The Last of Us into a worthy addition to the post-apocalyptic genre. However, for some fans of the original game, these changes may temper their enthusiasm for this new chapter.