The Last of Us Season 2: Shocking Character Changes You Didn’t See Coming!

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In the debut of The Last of Us season 2, it’s been established that the acclaimed HBO series has introduced some changes to characters much like it did in its first season – even featuring characters such as Eugene who were less prominent before, along with a significant alteration in the role of the main antagonist, Abby.

Similar to how Bill & Frank’s tale was significantly revamped in episode 3 of the initial season, the opening chapter of The Last of Us’ new chapter is also brimming with alterations that dedicated gamers will surely spot.

From a different perspective, certain changes could be seen as refreshing, providing a fresh take without significantly deviating from the original storyline.

An alternative interpretation could potentially appear puzzling when considering the information revealed at the conclusion of episode 1.

Warning: Spoilers ahead for those who have not watched episode 1 of The Last of Us season 2.

The change to Abby’s story in The Last of Us season 2

In The Last of Us season 2, as Abby, played by Kaitlyn Dever, makes her first appearance, it’s not so much about altering the main antagonist’s past as it is about how that past is presented.

In The Last of Us Part 2 video game (upon which Season 2 of the TV series is based), a significant part of Abby’s background, her companions, and their motivation behind pursuing Joel remain concealed for an extended period in the gameplay.

Despite the passage of time, the original aim of both characters remained unchanged. Abby’s father, who turned out to be the Firefly surgeon that Joel had killed earlier in the story, was initially unknown until approximately halfway through the game.

By making you control Abby directly, the game provides an unexpected turn of events designed to gradually change your perception of her from a perceived villain to a more complex character.

In the opening scene of The Last of Us season 2’s premiere, we discover that Abby, Owen, and their fellow survivors are intending to pursue Joel based on what they currently know. They are gathered by gravesites, signaling a determination to act.

As a movie buff, diving straight into Abby’s tale without delay certainly sets the pace, allowing us to swiftly grasp the gist and delve deeper into the intricate web of events in the game’s extended narrative, fitting neatly within the compact timeline of a television series.

In a different scenario, those who haven’t experienced the games wouldn’t encounter the same level of shock that players of The Last of Us Part 2 initially felt.

Mazin explained, “We believed it was crucial to provide enough background information in this medium since we didn’t intend to have an extended segment where only Abby would appear. The game is telling you that you are now Abby, and it wouldn’t be fair if you could just press the triangle button repeatedly to become Joel or Ellie. Instead, you need to fully embrace the role of Abby for a substantial period.

Eugene’s character has been altered as well

As a die-hard movie enthusiast, I must say that the second season of The Last of Us Part 2 has brought about an intriguing twist in the tale: Eugene’s destiny seems to be taking a different turn this time around. Moreover, Dina’s persona in this version appears to share a closer bond with Joel, which sets her apart from her original counterpart and nurtures a more profound friendship between them.

In the game, Eugene was an ex-Firely turned Jackson patrolman who died of a stroke at age 73.

During their patrol in the game, as Ellie and Dina discussed Eugene, it was striking how unusual his death by natural causes was, considering they live in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by Cordyceps fungus.

In the series, it appears as though Eugene may have been infected prior to Joel having to euthanize him, according to information given by Gail, a new character not found in the game and played by Catherine O’Hara. For now, it seems this alteration to Eugene’s death serves to enhance Gail’s background story.

Although it belongs to her as well, it seems clear that we will encounter the character of Eugene in upcoming episodes, presumably through flashbacks, given that Joe Pantoliano has been cast to play him.

With this shift, we might uncover more about the enigma surrounding Eugene, and this transformation could significantly deepen his narrative compared to its portrayal in the original game.

Dina is friends with Joel in this version

In the second season of “The Last of Us,” the character Dina, portrayed by Isabela Merced, serves a dual role as both Ellie’s closest friend and love interest, but also takes on an additional role as a surrogate daughter to Joel.

In The Last of Us Part 2, Dina remains just as close to Ellie as before; however, Mazin has introduced an additional layer to Dina’s character by involving her in the growing tension between the two women.

In their therapy session, Joel tells Gail that Dina exhibits such warmth and kindness that she feels like a daughter to him, surpassing Ellie in this regard, despite neither of them being his actual child, as Gail reminds him. Interestingly, Dina has also discussed with Ellie her intentions to watch movies with Joel.

In the game, Dina and Joel weren’t particularly close, offering an opportunity to introduce extra tension. This unexpected camaraderie could serve as a source of conflict, potentially straining the budding friendship between Ellie and Joel, or even Ellie and Dina.

Regardless of the choice, it’s clear that Mazin’s work provides an exceptional viewing experience that leaves even die-hard fans of The Last of Us Part 2 game wondering about the potential developments in season 2 of the series.

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2025-04-14 19:41