Is The Last of Us Season 2 a Game-Changer or Just a Fading Echo?

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The much-anticipated second season of The Last of Us has made its grand return on HBO, and it certainly delivers as promised. Much like the first season was based on the initial game in the series, Season 2 follows the storyline of The Last of Us Part 2. This narrative is significantly more intricate and profound than the original game; it’s non-linear, tackles heavy themes, and pushes boundaries that may not have been possible without the resounding success of the first game. To be honest, I’ve been eagerly awaiting this season, curious to see how showrunners Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann translate this multi-layered and controversial story for a new audience and medium.

In the second season of “The Last of Us,” five years have passed since the incidents of the first. Ellie (Bella Ramsey) and Joel (Pedro Pascal), now reside in a tranquil town called Jackson, but their relationship has grown strained compared to before. With Ellie maturing into a teenager, she’s developed some typical teenage rebellion, seeking more independence from Joel. Their bond is complicated because Joel’s daughter didn’t reach Ellie’s age, making this time particularly challenging for the duo. The lingering secret from the Season 1 finale adds an even darker undertone to their interactions.

In Season 2, Joel appears softer and more compassionate. He laughs more, demonstrates greater emotional awareness, and these changes reflect a man who has largely moved past the trauma that once held him back. This transformed Joel is noticeable compared to his pre-apocalypse self. However, it’s also evident that he tends to mold Ellie into his idea of what a daughter should be, taking on a surrogate father role. While many parents have such projections for their children, it’s significant that Joel does this with someone who isn’t biologically his child, which introduces an additional layer of complexity in their relationship dynamics.

Consequentially, Pascal delivers an exceptionally exposed, defining act for his career. In the first season, Joel was guarded, keeping others at a distance, giving off an impression that his emotions might explode any second, given the weight of his experiences he couldn’t fully process. However, in Season 2, Joel is a character who feels intensely and is making an effort to relate to Ellie through shared musical experiences.

Previously, we found Joel in a situation where he had slain numerous soldiers, sustained a wound, and shattered a man’s kneecap with a knife. Despite being close to invincible, even when he was near death, this time his most significant danger doesn’t come from bullets; instead, it lies in pushing Ellie away. When they clash, Ellie’s words wound him more profoundly than any knife ever could. The chasm that forms between them is tangible, and the pain it inflicts on Joel is evident in his expressions and voice. Pascal excellently portrays the poignancy of piercing a tough guy’s defenses and causing emotional hurt.

Even though Jackson is tranquil, events soon spiral out of control, as per the norm in this world, leaving everyone in town reeling. Ellie and her companions, including her new romantic interest Dina (Isabela Merced), direct their fury towards a group who wronged them, concocting a plan to seek retribution.

In Season 2, while Joel plays a significant role, Ellie is predominantly the main character of this narrative. Some viewers, including myself, had doubts about whether Ramsey could effectively portray Ellie due to the physical demands of her role and her smaller stature. However, the creators, Mazin and Druckmann, seem to have anticipated this concern and quickly demonstrate Ellie’s ability to hold her own in a violent confrontation. Although there are instances where Ramsey’s portrayal of Ellie doesn’t appear as intimidating as others, it’s evident that they made a conscious effort to present Ellie as a powerful figure, and overall, they succeed in this endeavor.

Instead of focusing on Ramsey’s physical prowess or appearance, it’s their emotional intensity that truly sets their portrayal of Ellie apart. Although the games contain a lot of violent and action-packed sequences, the series primarily highlights the poignant moments occurring between the gunfights and battles. Ramsey manages to convey the desolation and perplexity that Ellie experiences.

Ellie is a girl who’s been raised amidst the apocalypse, having seen unspeakable atrocities. Yet, she carries within her an extraordinary secret: immunity. Once, she marveled at giraffes and shopping malls; now, the world’s horrors have left her disheartened. However, glimmers of the curious Ellie still surface, like when she plays a guitar in a music store for Dina. Yet, there’s a tinge of sorrow to these moments, as if a storm cloud is looming over any fleeting happiness. Nevertheless, companions such as Dina offer her hope that she can endure the chaos and find the tranquility she yearns for.

Apart from Joel and Ellie, actress Kaitlyn Dever joins them in The Last of Us Season 2, taking on the role of Abby. While I can’t reveal many details about her character without spoiling the show, she poses a significant threat to Joel, Ellie, and their companions. On-screen, Dever portrays Abby as an emotionally intense character that demands attention. Despite having limited screen time, she effectively conveys Abby as a damaged individual seeking release through violence.

I found Dever’s portrayal of Abby more relatable than her video game character version. She reveals Abby’s sensitivity more prominently, showing that her unchecked anger is a response to deep sadness and trauma. Rather than just being a cold-blooded killer or destructive force, she seems like a person struggling to cope by expressing her emotions through aggression and rage. Interestingly, this also applies to Ellie, making them mirror images of each other, which gives the story a poetic feel.

In the second season of “The Last of Us,” we delve into a narrative exploring varying viewpoints, suggesting that life’s shades might not be as distinctly good and evil as they appear. The series provides glimpses into diverse aspects of Joel, Ellie, and Abby’s tales, enriching the central theme. Simultaneously, an ongoing conflict between a militaristic faction and a fundamentalist religious group unfolds in the backdrop, further deepening this motif. Misjudging or disregarding other people’s feelings, even those we perceive as having wronged us, can set off harmful cycles with no resolution.

In the second season of The Last of Us, much like its predecessor, we delve into the theme of love. However, unlike Season 1 which explored how love can rescue us, Season 2 presents a darker side: the tormenting aspects of love. The question it poses is: what transpires when your love is cruelly snatched away? What happens when your love incites actions that are self-serving and devastating? This potent emotion, capable of elevating us to great heights of joy, can also lead us down the path of malice. Characters in this narrative, both heroes and villains, all experience this powerful emotion in one form or another, often feeling compelled to protect it fiercely or seek vengeance if needed. The very thing that brings immense happiness can also sow seeds of hatred.

To those who love the game, it’s possible that certain adjustments may grate on some people. While the fundamental plot stays the same, there are alterations that cause characters to act in ways inconsistent with their original narrative. For instance, Ellie reacts differently to an event in the series compared to her actions in the game, thus eliminating any intriguing tension that was initially generated from that scene. Despite all the modifications, the show decides against implementing changes that could logically suit a TV format. As previously mentioned, the game can be completed within approximately 20 hours straight, whereas the show is planning to stretch this story over multiple years, potentially even up to two more seasons. This might leave newcomers feeling underwhelmed or unsatisfied as they may not experience a resolution until as late as 2027.

To clarify, I’m not suggesting there were no positive changes in Season 1; quite the contrary. In fact, Season 2 builds upon underdeveloped characters from the game, providing them with more significant and impactful roles. It subtly modifies pivotal scenes to enhance their effectiveness, and it certainly delivers more on the infected. To be honest, I felt that Season 1 didn’t give enough attention to the infected, but Season 2 offers some thrilling moments involving swarms of infected that left me speechless. The grandeur of certain action sequences is truly awe-inspiring and will undoubtedly appeal to those eager for more encounters with the fungal monsters.

After having re-watched all seven episodes, I feel confident in stating that Season 2 of “The Last of Us” surpasses its first season in scale, quality, and audacity. While it does retain some imperfections, it remains unflinching in its narrative ambition and takes risks that few major stories would dare to take. There are aspects of Season 2 that may stir controversy among fans of the game and the series alike, but the show’s bravery in confronting substantial themes is truly praiseworthy in today’s relatively safe television landscape for franchises. This season is raw, emotionally intense, and is likely to bring tears to your eyes every other episode, thanks to the outstanding performances delivered by Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal.

Rating: 4 out of 5

As a die-hard gamer, I’m pumped to share that the next chapter in The Last of Us saga kicks off with me! It’s set to premiere on Max and HBO this coming Sunday, April 13th, at the comfy hour of 9PM ET. And

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2025-04-07 19:13