The Last of Us Season 2: Unexpected for Non-Players of the Video Game.
If you're unfamiliar with The Last of Us video game, the second season of the show is definitely going to surprise you.
Written by Lara Rosales
Spoilers ahead
While The Last of Us is a well-known video game, not every viewer started the show because of the game. Those who played the video game had an idea of what to expect from the series. However, Season 1 taught them that not everything they were expecting would happen in the same manner or even happen at all. The writers took liberties to change and adapt what was necessary to make the series work.
For those of us who have never played the game, the show has been a new world to dive into. After the end of Season 1, we were expecting things to be different because we knew the relationship between Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) would be strained. It becomes obvious from the beginning of Season 2 that things are more tense between them because Ellie doesn’t fully believe everything Joel has told her about why and how he saved her.
However, what video game players were expecting but the rest of us weren’t, was Joel’s death shortly after the season begins. This marks the season for many of us. Losing such a significant character, one that motivated many of us to watch the show, is a blow to the fans. It hurts to lose a figure that everyone respected, admired, and cared about. His death marks a difference in both Ellie and the audience, knowing that the season will now be a memorable one for very sad reasons.
While Joel’s death is a hard pill to swallow for many viewers, those who played the game have an easier time because his death isn’t as violent or gruesome as it was in the video game. The show applies the changes it sees fit to make sure that the death has the impact it was meant to have, but without completely breaking the audience’s hearts. Some even speculate that his death is less violent because the writers didn’t want the view of Abby (Kaitlyn Dever) to be so harsh.
From that moment on, The Last of Us Season 2 focuses entirely on developing Ellie’s character. Even though there are several new characters introduced, Ellie’s thirst for revenge is what pushes the storyline forward. Without the need to find Abby and avenge Joel, Ellie’s character would probably have fallen flat, and the show would have been very different. It matters, however, that even though she was upset at Joel for saving her (and ending humanity), she is willing to do whatever it takes to find Abby and make her pay for his death.
But besides the quest for revenge, what marks Ellie’s character this season is her relationship with Dina (Isabela Merced). Viewers have known from Season 1 that Ellie is a queer character, and it’s important to see that further explored onscreen. Her past helped us learn that and understand the loss she experienced. During Season 2, Ellie is very clear on her sexuality, but it is Dina who struggles to come to terms with her bisexuality, allowing the show to explore this further and bring representation to the struggles one may face when coming to terms with their identity.
While in the game, this relationship develops quickly; the show takes its time to explore the will-they-won’t-they aspect of it and provide the background necessary for the relationship to make sense. Ultimately, the exploration of their relationship allows them to fully trust each other, opening up about their secrets: Ellie tells Dina she is immune, and Dina tells Ellie she is pregnant.
Just like the first season, The Last of Us Season 2 stands on its own beyond the story in the video game. It is understandable why fans of the video game might be shocked and upset by certain changes, but for viewers tuning in for the first time, the show continues to deliver what we were expecting. While it is sad to watch Joel go, it makes sense, and we can accept it because of how the story continues to develop.
Photo: HBO
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