The Last of Us Fans Furious as Tommy’s Character Gets Major Downgrade in Season 2

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In the second season of the HBO series “The Last of Us,” one of its notable characters’ storyline has taken a turn for the worse compared to their portrayal in the original video games. So far, the TV show has largely adhered to its game source material, with only minor variations and new characters added. However, the second season has chosen to alter the trajectory of a key character, which seems to have had a negative impact on their development.

Caution: References to Season 2 of The Last of Us and all aspects of The Last of Us Part II lie ahead. Proceed with caution if you wish to avoid potential spoilers.

In the game “The Last of Us”, Tommy, who was a significant character and a key figure alongside Ellie in the original game, has experienced substantial changes in his portrayal in “The Last of Us Part II”. Tommy was also central to Season 1. These alterations have caused me to ponder where his character may end up by the time the series concludes.

In The Last of Us Season 2, something quite different unfolds regarding Tommy’s role compared to The Last of Us Part II. Instead of being by Joel’s side when he meets his end, as depicted in the game, Tommy is defending Jackson from the infected hordes. It’s Dina who stands with Joel during his ordeal in the TV series, while poor Tommy, in The Last of Us Part II, is compelled to bear witness to every brutal strike against his brother, a sight he never had to endure in the game version.

In The Last of Us Part II, a slight adjustment in Tommy’s character dramatically alters his storyline. After being compelled to witness Joel’s death, Tommy is overwhelmed by rage and the desire for vengeance, which surpasses even Ellie’s thirst for retribution. Consequently, Tommy decides to leave Jackson for Seattle, with the intention of locating and eliminating Abby and her group. Ellie and Dina follow suit, not only intending to kill Abby but also to search for and bring Tommy back home.

In a stark contrast to the events portrayed in The Last of Us Season 2, these current occurrences are remarkably distinct. Although Tommy continues to mourn Joel’s demise, he adopts a more practical approach towards the aftermath. Unlike his relentless pursuit for justice in the games, Tommy now tries to reason with Ellie, who is single-mindedly chasing Abby. Despite this disagreement, Ellie and Dina ultimately decide to journey to Seattle in search of Abby, marking a significant departure from the series’ narrative where Tommy always followed in Joel’s footsteps.

In the game “The Last of Us Part II“, Tommy’s character development revolves around the theme of revenge and its destructive power when it completely overtakes a person. By the end of the story, Tommy remains relentless in his pursuit of vengeance for Joel’s death, disregarding those who care about him, leaving him filled with bitterness, anger, and isolation. He serves as a cautionary tale, particularly for Ellie, showing her the potential danger of allowing her quest for revenge to continue unchecked.

Moving forward with the TV adaptation of Tommy, I’m uncertain about where his narrative will head. There’s still a substantial amount of “The Last of Us” left to be explored as Season 2 is only about halfway through. It’s likely that Tommy will feature prominently not just in Season 2, but also in Seasons 3 and beyond. Despite this, I worry that the influence of Tommy on “The Last of Us” TV show may pale in comparison to his significance in “The Last of Us Part II.” Here’s hoping my concerns prove unfounded, but for now, I am quite disheartened by the alterations to his character.

The Last of Us Season 2 continues to air each Sunday at 9pm ET across HBO and Max.

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2025-05-09 21:07