Season 2 of ‘The Last of Us’: How its Biggest Strength May Be Backfiring

The Last of Us has captured the hearts of fans with its captivating adaptation that expands upon the original video game. Season 2 takes a slower approach, allowing for more depth and attention to detail in the storytelling. While this may seem like a positive change, it also presents some challenges.

In the first episode of Season 2, we see familiar moments from the game, such as Ellie’s patrol duty in Jackson and her interactions with Dina. These scenes, while seemingly low-stakes, set the stage for Ellie’s present circumstances within the narrative structure of the game. However, the series delves even further back, depicting events only referred to in the game, like Ellie and Dina’s kiss at the New Year’s dance.

The question arises: is this a better viewing experience? While the rule of thumb in storytelling is to “show, not tell,” the series takes a different approach by exploring moments in more depth. This allows viewers to piece together the story gradually, rather than being dropped into the deep end as in the game version.

Season 2 also introduces new elements, such as Gail, Eugene’s wife and Joel’s therapist, as well as a brand new kind of Infected called a Stalker. While watching these moments unfold rather than hearing about them on patrol may not be as straightforward, the series still manages to make an impact by deviating from the original script.

Ultimately, The Last of Us Season 2 offers a fresh perspective on familiar events and introduces new elements that enrich the story. Whether you’re a fan of the game or new to the series, Season 2 is now available for streaming on Max. So grab your popcorn and dive into this immersive world of survival and heart-wrenching drama.