Revealed: The Smart Zombie ‘Stalker’ in The Last of Us Season 2

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Title “Future Days” of The Last of Us Season 2, Episode 1 introduces a new type of infected, leaving fans curious about its identity. In an interaction with Ellie, portrayed by Bella Ramsey, this mysterious creature demonstrates the ability to camouflage, stalk, hunt, and even manipulate its prey, reminiscent of human behavior without infection. Here’s all you need to know about it.

How is The Last of Us Season 2’s smart zombie, Stalker different from infected types?

During the first episode of Season 2, Ellie and Isabela Merced’s character, Dina, split from their group during a reconnaissance mission. They ventured into an uncharted building in search of the infected. Initially, they encountered a clicker which Ellie swiftly dealt with. But moments later, she tumbled through a collapsing floor, finding herself trapped in a part of the building that was difficult to escape from. As Dina searched for a way to reach her, Ellie started exploring the area independently. It was then that she stumbled upon a fresh type of infected creatures.

In this version of the undead, there’s a fungal growth resembling a crown that can be seen. These creatures seem to possess some level of intelligence, as they’re capable of tracking people. The one from Season 2 Episode 1 would hide when Ellie tried to chase it, only to come out later and attack. In fact, it even managed to bite Ellie before she could successfully kill it.

After Ellie shares her account of the events affecting Jackson’s community council, I, as Tommy (Gabriel Luna), find myself pondering whether she and Dina imply that the infected are somehow intelligent. Ellie clarifies, “I’m not suggesting it could solve equations or anything, but it didn’t charge at me. It acted like us, took cover, strategized, waited, and lured me in. You could say it stalked.

If you’re a fan of The Last of Us video games, this character’s actions align with the stalker type among the infected creatures. In the game, stalkers appear during the second stage of infection, occupying a space between runners and clickers, and the TV adaptation seems to stay true to their portrayal in the original content.

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2025-04-14 07:40