Last of Us Episode SHOCKS Fans! (Better Than the Game?)

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As a passionate fan of “The Last of Us,” I’ve got to say that the TV series on HBO hasn’t held back when it comes to altering significant aspects from the acclaimed Naughty Dog video games. While there are instances where it stays remarkably true to the source material, the show has cleverly fleshed out elements of the game that remained hidden to players. The first season, for example, delved deeply into a storyline centered around Frank and Bill, and Season 2 has built upon this in a truly dynamic manner – quite literally so in the latest episode!

The recent episode of “The Last of Us” TV series brought to life an epic assault on Jackson, enhancing the narrative even further. Now, be warned, here come spoilers for The Last of Us Season 2’s second episode, and minor spoilers for The Last of Us Part II game.

In the TV series and video games of “The Last of Us,” the city of Jackson is portrayed as a formidable fortress. However, the games don’t delve deeply into this aspect due to their fast-paced plot and limited time spent within that location by the player. Instead, they focus more on Ellie’s larger journey. The TV series, on the other hand, has the chance to expand upon these details and demonstrate Jackson’s fortress nature in action, providing a richer exploration of the city.

From the very first episode, the series hints at more than just patrols around Jackson, a recurring element from the game. Additionally, it shows guards stationed on the wall to keep watch for the “monsters” beyond, as Tommy’s son mentions. This arrangement is also present in the games, but the show goes a step further by not only depicting their preparations for an attack but also demonstrating how their broader strategy unfolds in real time.

The Last of Us’ Assault on Jackson Offers a Major Improvement on the Games

Security personnel are stationed not just along the massive barrier dividing Jackson from the outside – each one equipped with an arsenal – but also explosive-laden barrels are placed, ready to be deployed on the advancing horde of contaminated individuals approaching the entrance. Those who can’t defend themselves are kept in the basement levels of significant buildings within the town, while others are positioned on rooftops inside the town for quick response if a breach occurs. The series doesn’t explicitly demonstrate these measures and strategies without later showing them in action, unlike the game which uses this information to expand its backstory.

In the initial episode, hints were dropped about the cordyceps fungus seeping into Jackson’s plumbing system, making the entire town a potential target for the frozen horde of infected buried under the snow beyond it. Awakened by Abby, this band of angry creatures initially pursued her, but once the growth in Jackson sent out an alert, they shifted their focus to destroying the town itself. As displayed in the episode, they came close to achieving that goal until a group of heroic dogs and Tommy’s flamethrower finally quelled the threat. However, even with their success, there were still casualties within the community, and vital repairs had to be made to ensure Jackson’s safety and the appeal it once held.

The Last of Us’ Big Battle Fundamentally Changes the Story

In The Last of Us Season 2, the attack on Jackson deviates significantly from the original storyline, yet it enhances the narrative presented in The Last of Us Part II video game in a meaningful way. This departure not only underscores the vulnerability of any safe haven in this world but also serves as a stark reminder of the danger posed by large groups of the infected lurking outside.

In the show “The Last of Us,” the reason for Joel’s death is intertwined with a sudden blizzard hitting their location, trapping Joel and Tommy from returning to Jackson and blocking any potential help from reaching them, potentially saving his life. To make things more complex, an infected attack is also introduced, eliminating any need for explanations as to why no one was able to save Joel. The series skillfully separates the events in the town and Joel’s fate while ensuring they are interconnected parts of a larger storyline.

In the TV series adaptation of “The Last of Us,” a shift occurs that significantly impacts one character’s journey. By teaming up Dina with Joel during their patrol, instead of Tommy, the show has set Joel on a distinct trajectory within the storyline. This means that the Tommy we see in the series might not be as driven by vengeance or reckless as his original counterpart, possibly due to the circumstances surrounding Joel’s death. However, it is still likely that Tommy will experience feelings related to his brother’s demise.

Through the inclusion of an exciting action sequence, the TV adaptation of “The Last of Us” has successfully accomplished two significant milestones: It delivered a thrilling spectacle for viewers while seamlessly integrating it with the broader narrative of the season’s storyline. This dual achievement sets the series apart from its video game counterpart and represents an enhancement in this regard. Although both share a unique perspective based on their respective mediums, the TV series demonstrated in its recent episode that it can tread new paths distinctly its own.

While individual preferences among fans are expected to persist, the power of the series lies in identifying areas where it can grow and establish its unique identity, as demonstrated significantly in Season 2.

New episodes of The Last of Us air Sundays at 9 PM ET on HBO and MAX.

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2025-04-24 02:10