Why Are Masks Missing in The Last of Us Show?

In the television series The Last of Us, unlike the original video game, there’s no need for characters to wear masks due to the absence of harmful spores in the air. In the video game version, characters often needed gas masks to prevent inhaling toxic spores released by various fungi and plants. These spores are similar to pollen and can spread diseases among infected organisms. In the game, players don’t control when these masks are used; instead, the characters automatically wear them whenever they’re near spore clouds that indicate potentially dangerous areas.

In episode 3 of “The Last of Us,” Bill dons a gas mask momentarily, presumably for self-protection against potential chemical weapons that could be employed by the military against him. Once he confirms there are no soldiers nearby, he removes it. Throughout HBO’s adaptation, neither gas masks nor spores have been depicted, which feels like an intriguing omission given the source material’s emphasis on them. The TV series generally sticks close to the game, so the lack of spores seems like a missed chance for added depth.

How Do Spores Affect Things In The Last Of Us Games?

Spores Make Things Difficult For The Player

Whenever a game player encounters spores, they usually signal that infected beings are nearby. These areas are often densely populated and hazardous for the player to traverse due to their high risk. Moreover, these spores pose a significant threat as they have the power to transform humans into infected individuals. This transformation happens swiftly, causing breathing difficulties and slowing down movements. Interestingly, Ellie is the sole character who can tolerate inhaling these spores without harm, given her overall immunity to cordyceps.

The Last Of Us Show Doesn’t Use Spores Like The Games

This Is One Of The Show’s Biggest Changes

In their adaptation of “The Last of Us,” the creative team deemed it illogical for spores and gas masks to be part of their narrative, as explained by co-creator Craig Mazin: “Given our story’s setting, if we introduced spores into the air, they would rapidly spread everywhere. This would mean that everyone would need to wear a mask continuously, and considering the speed of the infection, it is likely that everyone would be infected at some point.” (Source: ComicBook.com)

From a cinematic perspective, I’d say it’s safe to assume that spores could have brought about the end of humanity much swifter. For those who’ve navigated the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, donning masks wouldn’t be an unfamiliar concept, yet it might stir feelings that are all too real and a bit too close for comfort.

The alteration in “The Last of Us” also serves a practical purpose, as TV shows typically prefer to keep an actor’s face unobstructed. Despite Pedro Pascal frequently concealing his face for “The Mandalorian,” the “Star Wars” series is unusual in this regard. Exposing an actor’s face allows them to express a wide spectrum of emotions effectively, even when their lines are sparse. Meanwhile, incorporating real-life spores from the game could have been challenging and expensive to execute.

The Last Of Us Finds Other Ways To Build Tension

The Show’s Fungi Network Heightens The Suspense

In the realm of movie-loving enthusiasts, allow me to share an intriguing twist in HBO’s “The Last of Us”: instead of relying solely on visual scares, the series subtly built tension with the infected by introducing a hidden network beneath the ground – a vast web of fungi. This was subtly hinted at in episode 2, when Joel’s gunshot on an infected stirred up a horde of hundreds from afar, demonstrating that this underground connection is as threatening as airborne spores. This concept was further explored in episode 2 of season 2, where the connection between the infected resulted in a sudden and terrifying invasion of Jackson, placing the entire community at risk.

In the video game, there wasn’t a similar feature, but in the show, it serves to counteract the reduction of spores, ensuring that the infected continue to pose a persistent danger. This results in an ongoing sense of tension, as fear is always lurking nearby. What’s more, this concept is scientifically plausible, as fungi are known to form extensive underground networks in reality.

Will The Last Of Us Season 2 Have Spores?

It Doesn’t Seem Likely

Mazin hinted that spores, which were seemingly eradicated from “The Last of Us” series earlier, might reappear in future episodes. He explained, “I don’t entirely rule out spores in our show’s world. We haven’t reached that point yet, but they could potentially resurface as the Cordyceps continue evolving and more infected zombies are encountered by the characters.” (source: Entertainment Weekly)

To this point, spores haven’t appeared in season 2 yet, however, as mentioned, the fungal network has significantly impacted the narrative. The extent of The Last of Us Part II that will be addressed in season 2 remains uncertain, but it seems likely that it will encompass multiple seasons. Reintroducing spores into The Last of Us could contribute to maintaining suspense and preventing the zombie plot from becoming repetitive.

Additionally, Ellie’s unique immune system also introduces an element of suspense. In the game, she can handle the spores without issue, while others cannot, yet she still dons a gas mask to fit in. Throughout Season 2, we’ve seen her devise methods to conceal her immunity, such as hiding the bite mark from episode 1. If Ellie were found without her mask, her immune status could be revealed to potentially harmful individuals like Abby and her group, which could significantly alter the narrative of The Last of Us.

2025-04-24 00:17