Things That Were Better In The Last Of Us HBO Show

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Summary

  • The Last of Us HBO series makes key changes to iconic moments from the game, improving the storytelling.
  • Events involving Joel, Sarah, Henry & Sam, Tess, and Ellie are more emotionally impactful in the HBO adaptation.
  • The addition of new scenes and developments, like Bill and Frank’s relationship, enhances the depth and authenticity of the characters.

Although they initially created charming 3D platform games such as Crash Bandicoot and Jak & Daxter, Naughty Dog has become renowned for crafting some of the most gripping blockbuster narratives in the gaming industry. Among these, none has struck a chord like The Last of Us – a post-apocalyptic zombie tale following Joel and Ellie on their journey across the country to find a cure during humanity’s bleakest moment. As anticipated, the cinematic quality of The Last of Us proved captivating, leading Hollywood to adapt it into an impressive live-action HBO series, with Pedro Pascal portraying Joel and Bella Ramsey playing Ellie.

In nine captivating episodes, the TV adaptation of “The Last of Us” encompasses the storyline from the initial game and its DLC “Left Behind,” while also subtly modifying some crucial scenes to enhance their impact. These alterations ranged from providing additional background information or events leading up to these moments, or completely transforming how they unfolded. By doing so, The Last of Us on HBO demonstrated a deep understanding and respect for the game’s narrative while simultaneously offering a refreshing take for new viewers.

This list contains spoilers for both the video game and the HBO adaptation!

1. Joel’s Injury

Joel’s Life-Threatening Injury Feels More Organic In The HBO Series

In the game, Joel and Ellie are trying to depart from the University of Eastern Colorado after an assault by hostile survivors when an accident occurs. Joel falls off a railing and gets impaled by a metal rod, creating one of the most startling scenes in the entire game. However, the HBO series portrays this incident differently; in episode “Kin,” Joel is stabbed in the abdomen instead, forcing him to flee with Ellie on horseback.

The game version seems exaggerated next to it, but the TV show presents Joel’s injury and recovery in a way that feels more realistic and authentic. For instance, the fall from a great height and Joel’s swift recovery are elements that work within the context of a video game, yet they seem more believable in the show. This portrayal makes his journey through a blizzard to rescue Ellie when she’s kidnapped by David appear more genuine as well.

2. Sarah’s Death

Expanding Sarah’s Role Gives More Weight To Her Tragic End

At the start of the game, Joel tragically loses his daughter Sarah when a soldier shoots her in an attempt to eliminate any hints of the infection. The sequence unfolds quickly, transitioning from brief control over Sarah to Joel as she perishes. Although it remains intensely emotional and heartrending, the HBO adaptation provides more time with Sarah before her demise, making her death even more impactful.

In the opening episode of HBO’s “The Last of Us” series titled “When You’re Lost In The Darkness,” Sarah is given a larger role, emphasizing her resilient bond with Joel. An instance where she takes his broken watch to be repaired is highlighted, all while signs of an impending apocalypse subtly unfold. This strategic move effectively set the tone for the series, making Joel’s loss more profound as we witness their everyday relationship prior to the chaos. One of the most astute choices made in “The Last of Us,” this decision significantly enhanced the narrative.

3. Sam And Henry’s Journey With Joel And Ellie

Sam And Henry’s Haunting End Is Much Improved

In the video game, Henry and Sam encounter Joel and Ellie during a high-speed chase with a machine gun that forces them to take cover. Their tumultuous journey is marked by Sam contracting an infection and being fatally killed by Henry, who subsequently takes his own life. Conversely, in the HBO series episode “Endure and Survive,” Henry and Sam’s bond is allowed to develop more organically, with their relationship resembling that of loving siblings rather than the adversarial dynamic present in the game.

Observing young, deaf Sam playing soccer with Ellie, followed by a heartwarming moment where they share a Savage Starlight comic while communicating in sign language is just remarkable on every level. When Sam contracts the infection, the show’s portrayal of his and Henry’s struggle resonates deeply. Delving deeper into their story, witnessing how they bond with Joel and Ellie, adds an emotional depth that beautifully concludes this exceptional episode.

4. Tess’ Death

Tess’ Sacrifice For Humanity Hits Harder Than Ever

In the game The Last of Us, as Joel, Ellie, and Tess navigate a museum teeming with infected and clickers, the emotional death scene of Tess plays out similarly in both the video game and the HBO series. However, one crucial distinction sets them apart. In both scenarios, Tess confesses that she was bitten at the museum, and her emotional change, urging Joel to escort Ellie to the Fireflies, remains consistent. The key difference lies in the antagonist pursuing them: while the HBO series portrays FEDRA as their hunters, in the episode “Infected,” it is a massive horde of infected that are heading their way.

In my perspective as an admirer, this minor tweak significantly amplifies the impact, making Tess’ selfless act seem even more profound and crucial. While in the game, she bravely takes down a few FEDRA soldiers before meeting her end, the TV show portrays Tess as ready to go to any lengths to shield Joel and Ellie from the infected hordes – sacrificing herself and the entire building in the process. It’s a subtle shift, but one that imbues Tess’ demise with emotional resonance and emphasizes the importance of Joel and Ellie’s journey.

5. Ellie Saves Joel From A Raider

One Of Ellie’s Defining Moments Feels More Impactful

Growing up amidst an apocalypse undeniably accelerated Ellie’s maturation beyond what was typical, but no event stands out more in her development than when she fires a gun to protect Joel from imminent death. This scene is incredibly impactful within the game, illustrating the immense stress such a situation would impose on a 14-year-old girl. When it came to recreating this pivotal moment for the HBO series, they managed it exceptionally well.

In the game, Ellie shoots a raider to rescue Joel from drowning, and although she grapples with the consequences, the violent act is somewhat downplayed due to the nature of the game. In contrast, the TV show presents this event in an episode titled “Please Hold My Hand,” where it takes place in a different setting and provides a more nuanced context. Here, Ellie doesn’t directly kill him but must face the repercussions of violence instead. The characters’ reactions are also improved, with Pedro Pascal’s portrayal of Joel making the scene more emotional, and Bella Ramsey delivers an exceptional performance following Ellie’s actions.

6. Bill And Frank

The Largest Deviation From The Game Is Also Its Best

In the game, Bill is portrayed as a grumpy resident of a town in Lincoln, Massachusetts, which Joel and Ellie encounter during their journey seeking a vehicle. This part of “The Last of Us” is particularly captivating, where it’s disclosed that Bill had a deceased partner named Frank who took his own life before transforming. This brief discussion about Frank occurs near the end of the chapter, with Bill sharing this information before assisting Joel and Ellie in their escape. Remarkably, this single scene forms the foundation for an entire episode in “The Last of Us” on HBO, significantly enhancing Bill’s character and being considered one of the best episodes of television ever made.

In the episode titled “Long, Long Time,” characters Bill and Frank encounter each other four years post-apocalypse, and their bond develops organically in an incredibly moving manner. The narrative spans nearly two decades of their relationship, capturing its highs and lows, as well as its tragic finale. This portrayal significantly advanced LGBTQ representation, as the game subtly hinted at their relationship while the HBO adaptation brings it to life vividly. However, it departs significantly from the original game in certain crucial aspects; for instance, Joel interacts with Bill only once and their joint expedition through the town is not depicted. Nonetheless, these alterations proved beneficial, and the acting by Nick Offerman as Bill and Murray Bartlett as Frank was exceptional.

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2025-01-12 04:08