Is HBO's The Last of Us Fumbling Tommy’s Character and Revenge Plot?

The complex emotional layers, the repercussions of moral decay, and the dedication to the constitution of a post-apocalyptic society are what make this tale stand out as something extraordinary and intense. In this universe, humans and their actions pose a greater threat than the corydceps infestation, and the cycle of revenge surrounding Joel Miller’s death serves as evidence. Following his cold-blooded murder by Abby, one of the two caught in the flame of vengeance was Tommy Miller, Joel’s brother.

In the games, he was the one who saw Joel get killed directly and was the one who fled to Seattle later on. However, the show has deviated from the original storyline, resulting in numerous changes accumulating. Tommy’s personal choices form the central plot of The Last of Us Part II, but by modifying his character development, the series is heading towards a precarious path with him.

Tommy Miller Has Been Deviating Since Season 1

He Has Already Been Set Up as a Completely Different Person

Tommy Miller stands out as one of the top characters in “The Last of Us,” largely due to Gabriel Luna’s exceptional portrayal. Despite being minimally present during Season 1, Tommy’s influence provided a beacon of hope for Joel and a quasi-sanctuary. When all other options seemed exhausted, Joel sought refuge with Tommy because he held an unwavering trust and love for his brother above all else.

Yet, the series portrays Tommy differently than originally conceived, as he has renounced violence to focus on family life. He found a home in Jackson, and surprisingly, his concern for the town grew. This revised version of Tommy presents him as a morally upright individual who often acts as the peacemaker during conflicts.

In contrast to Tommy’s game counterpart, he appears to be more determined and aligned with the rules of this bleak society. Fan apprehension about Tommy’s character development stems from the fact that in the original narrative, his actions triggered a series of events, much like the fall of the first domino. He was the one who witnessed his brother being shot in the leg and subsequently brutalized.

Experiencing the trauma firsthand versus learning about it from someone else can lead to vastly different responses. For instance, after the traumatic event, Tommy chose to leave for Seattle the following day in an attempt to avenge his brother. Conversely, Tommy on-screen was informed of Joel’s death by Ellie and others, which didn’t diminish the weight of the news but did impact the overall outcome. This slight variation in circumstances prevented Tommy from experiencing the same intensity of anger and sorrow as Ellie did.

Additionally, his brave act of rescuing Jackson from the swarm of infected underscored him as a true community member rather than a solitary figure. His unwillingness to seek revenge stemmed from his strong bond as the pack leader and his commitment to protecting the town. However, this aspect contradicts the events that led to Tommy making his choice.

The Last of Us Season 2 Might Fumble Tommy’s Critical Role In Joel’s Revenge

Not Sending Him to Seattle Before Ellie Has Already Caused a Ripple Effect

In the third episode of Season 2 of The Last of Us, instead, it is Ellie, Dina, and not Tommy who journey towards Seattle to locate Abby and her group. This deviates from the initial storyline where Tommy was the one who departed and advised his wife not to let Ellie join him. The impact of Tommy’s choice is more poignant in the game compared to the series due to fan opinions that Tommy’s response to Joel’s death seemed lackluster and unconvincing.

The portrayal of his character in the show has tamed him excessively, which might have been acceptable if not for the consequences of his actions. Leaving Jackson made Ellie more resolute, but when she and Dina arrived in Seattle, they discovered a trail of victims that Tommy had left behind, suggesting another questionable aspect of his personality.

After they reconnected and contemplated the implications of staying in Seattle, Tommy and Ellie decided it was time to leave. But just as they were preparing to go, Abby apprehended them, murdered Jesse, and shot Tommy point-blank in the head. Interestingly, Abby did not share Ellie and Tommy’s viewpoint and had no desire to help Ellie seek retribution. However, it was later discovered that Tommy managed to survive, albeit with long-lasting damage to his mental and physical wellbeing.

Tommy’s Current Direction Questions His Future In The Plot

He Plays A Pivotal Role In Setting Ellie Down A Dark Path

In a delightful turn of events, after quite some time away since his remarkable act in Jackson, Tommy Miller made a fleeting appearance in the finale of The Last of Us Season 2. When Jesse appeared to rescue Ellie and Dina, he disclosed that Tommy was with him and they were resolute on bringing the girls back home. This is another significant departure from the game version as Tommy’s entry into Seattle didn’t unfold in the same manner; however, the series remains steadfast in presenting Tommy as a heroic figure.

It wasn’t necessarily the case that Joel and Tommy never committed crimes, but rather, the lives they chose didn’t lend themselves to being crime-free. Both men have come to terms with their past questionable actions, which is why Tommy abandoned the Fireflies. However, the original story served to bring out Tommy’s true character, proving that he had merely suppressed his darker traits in order to present a more amiable persona.

As I sat down to watch this captivating series, I found myself reflecting on the evolution of our protagonist. Initially, he chose to revert to his old ways, not just for the love of his family, but also to assert his own identity – a choice that seemed to be deeply ingrained in his bloodline. However, the show has since taken an interesting turn, transforming him from a rogue figure into a father and a leader, a shift that has undeniably claimed dominance over his past recklessness. Yet, I can’t help but sense that his penchant for danger is about to surface once more.

In this series, our character decided to revert back to his old ways, partly due to family ties and a desire to express himself, but the show has since made him more of a father and leader, suppressing his reckless behavior. However, I have a feeling that his risk-taking nature might resurface in the future.

Tommy’s unquenchable desire for retribution may significantly impact Ellie’s life. It’s important to note that in the game, Ellie isn’t responsible for what happens to Tommy, but she could be if the show portrays his encounter with Abby differently. In a divisive season finale, viewers witnessed Ellie and Tommy reconcile after Ellie had a falling out with Jesse due to her pursuit of Abby at the aquarium. Despite Jesse trying to manipulate Ellie into putting revenge above everything else, even Tommy’s life, she decided to move on. However, when Ellie inadvertently killed Mel and Owen, Tommy stepped in once more to help her, underscoring his role as a guiding influence rather than the other way around.

Will Fans Get To See His Obsession With Revenge?

Tommy’s Storyline Remained Unresolved With That Jaw-Dropping Cliffhanger

Given that Tommy’s personality has softened into more of a protective figure, it’s challenging to envision how the series will rekindle Ellie’s smoldering desire for vengeance, which was extinguished following her peaceful life with Dina and her baby. In the game, once Abby manages another escape, Ellie returns to this tranquil family existence. However, Tommy struggles to move on from this event and remains fixated on exacting revenge against Abby. Consequently, when he uncovers a clue about her whereabouts, he approaches Ellie, seeking to avenge Joel in his stead. Regrettably, when Ellie refuses, Tommy becomes resentful, lashes out with derogatory remarks, and criticizes Ellie for allowing Joel’s killer to evade justice.

Tommy’s obsession with retribution and his transformation reveal a stark contrast between him and his screen persona. As events unfold, Tommy turns sour, primarily due to his failed mission. This emotional deterioration sets Ellie on a perilous journey once more, as she contemplates tracking down Abby again, despite Dina’s constant cautions. At this juncture, Ellie is at risk of losing everything if she fails, making it a pivotal moment in the storyline.

In a world like that, it’s impossible to lead a peaceful and solitary existence. The violent actions of Tommy in The Last of Us demonstrate the complex moral landscape portrayed in the story. Regardless of their motivations, every character in the game has blood on their hands. Essentially, Tommy instilled fear within the WLF, which could possibly explain why Abby killed Jesse and then took revenge by killing him, even though she knew that he was in that situation because she had killed his brother.

The original design could have provided more depth to both Tommy and Abby’s characters, making their actions more relatable, but it appears the show chose a different path. Not only was Tommy’s role in the revenge plot insignificant, it remained so even at the climax. His hostage situation also fell short of expectation. It’s plausible why the series didn’t heighten the tension and importance around Tommy’s storyline in the final episode, as the show had already strayed from that path.

As a movie enthusiast, I can’t help but feel disconnected when it comes to Ellie’s trip to Seattle and Tommy. It seemed out of place to stir up Tommy’s troubled past and instigate a rampage, especially since it didn’t seem to align with his character in the original game.

Moreover, the finale of The Last of Us Season 2 left us hanging. The abrupt blackout before revealing who was on the receiving end of that gunshot bullet leaves room for speculation about Tommy’s survival. While fans might breathe a sigh of relief if he lives, it doesn’t undo the fact that his character has undergone a drastic transformation.

The pivotal scene between Tommy and Abby was supposed to carry weight, but its resolution left us in the dark, potentially tarnishing Tommy’s character for future storylines, regardless of how they unfold.

2025-05-30 00:41

Is HBO’s The Last of Us Fumbling Tommy’s Character and Revenge Plot?