Shocking Differences in The Last of Us Season 2 Premiere You Won’t Believe!

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The Last of Us debuted on the PlayStation 3 mere months before the launch of the PlayStation 4. It served as the crowning exclusive title for the PS3, marking an appropriate conclusion to one of Sony’s most inconsistent console eras. The game was subsequently succeeded by a sequel in 2020, The Last of Us Part 2, which garnered a more polarized response compared to its predecessor.

Besides Naughty Dog’s series, an adaptation based on the 2023 games was approved by HBO, and it received more acclaim than most might have anticipated. Now, season two is available on Max. What differences did the premiere exhibit compared to the opening of “The Last of Us Part 2”?

WARNING! Spoilers ahead!

6. Abby’s Build And Intro

The Ellie That Never Was

In the second season, Abby is set to be the most significant new character introduced. She was initially presented in “The Last of Us Part 2” as one of the two playable characters, with Ellie being the other. Within the game, Abby is quite robust, both physically and personality-wise, always prepared for a confrontation.

In the series, Abby’s build resembles Ellie’s, yet she is noticeably shorter. This makes for an intriguing character design, as it seems Abby might opt to outwit Ellie rather than engage physically like in the original game. Additionally, unlike the game, we saw Abby at the Salt Lake City grave markers earlier on.

5. How Did The Game Open?

Setting Up Tommy’s Promise

As a passionate film enthusiast, I found myself eagerly diving into the second season premiere, which began with an intriguing focus on Abby’s story before swiftly transitioning to catch up with Joel, Ellie, and their companions. This approach serves as an effective way to kick off the second season of a show, subtly revisiting a location that we’ve only glimpsed previously in the first season. Interestingly, the opening scene of the game is quite distinct, providing a more nuanced portrayal of Joel and Ellie’s descent, offering a unique contrast to this TV adaptation.

In the game “The Last of Us Part 2,” Joel is strumming a guitar as he shares with Tommy what transpired regarding Ellie in Salt Lake City. Tommy vows to keep Joel’s secret, and they continue their guard duty. A brief moment occurs between Joel and Ellie where Joel gives Ellie his guitar and swears to instruct her. Fast-forwarding to the present, four years have passed, and Ellie has taken control.

4. Joel Has A Nephew

The Cliffhanger Is Born

A notable shift in the previous season involved Tommy’s character partner, who transitioned from a white woman to a black woman, played by Rutina Wesley, a familiar face to True Blood enthusiasts as Tara. Additionally, it came as quite a surprise for The Last of Us fans to see Maria in a pregnant state.

With the passage of time, Maria has welcomed a new addition to the Miller family – her son, Benjamin. This development significantly alters the dynamics of the entire family. Apart from their adopted daughter Ellie, Joel now has a biological nephew. This unique event was never depicted in the games, implying that it could influence many of Joel’s actions in the future.

3. Joel Needs Therapy

And Gail’s Introduction

In my perspective as a movie critic, it appears that the post-apocalyptic world portrayed in ‘The Last of Us’ series initially seems devoid of psychological support. Characters are grappling with traumatic experiences, yet physical health concerns take priority over emotional healing. This was the mindset depicted in the game, but interestingly, the show offers a different spin on things.

In the second season of the series, Gail is introduced as a fresh character, not just for this particular season but also for the entire franchise. She’s portrayed by the talented Catherine O’Hara, who might be recognized from films like “Home Alone,” “Schitt’s Creek,” and “Beetlejuice,” among others. Instead of Joel figuring things out on his own, as in the game, it appears that Gail will play a role in influencing Joel more significantly during season two.

2. A Bigger Time Gap

From Four To Five

This minor alteration might not appear significant at first glance, but it’s challenging to fathom how it could affect the game characters currently. There’s a four-year time skip between “The Last of Us” and “The Last of Us Part 2,” while the series suggests a five-year gap occurred between the conclusion of the last season and the start of this one.

It’s possible that this was done for convenience, allowing Benjamin to appear older so he could take on a larger role in the story. The creators might have also rearranged some elements to explore deeper the relationship between Ellie and Joel, from their emotional breakdown to the incident where Joel killed Eugene, Gail’s husband. A wider time gap also provides Abby with additional time to prepare for her confrontation with Joel, alongside other Fireflies.

1. Ellie and Dina’s Patrol

The Clickers Are Evolving

In the game and its premiere episode, Dina and Ellie find themselves working on a joint mission. While in the game there’s extensive exploration leading to a tender moment shared by the pair during a storm, in which they develop romantic feelings for each other. The Clickers they face are numerous, but predictable adversaries.

In the series, Ellie encounters a Clicker that appears exceptionally intelligent compared to the ordinary ones they usually face. Later in Jackson, she shares this unusual event with a council who seem skeptical about a smarter Clicker. This could hint at the possibility of more advanced Clickers being introduced in the storyline to keep audiences guessing and challenge the survivors in The Last of Us. Additionally, the dance scene depicted is arranged differently compared to how it played out in the game.

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2025-04-14 17:55