The Last of Us Season 2 Is Stuck In An Impossible Situation

by

Key Takeaways

  • The Last of Us Season 2 may struggle to adapt the complex timeline of the second game, which shifts between two characters.
  • The TV show should balance Ellie and Abby’s storylines to keep key characters present and satisfy viewers.
  • The series faces a challenge to please everyone as it navigates the intricate plot structure of The Last of Us Part 2.

As someone who has spent countless hours immersed in the post-apocalyptic world of “The Last of Us”, I can’t help but feel a mix of anticipation and apprehension as we approach the release of Season 2. Having lived through the trials and tribulations of Joel and Ellie, I can’t help but wonder how the TV adaptation will handle the complex narrative of the second game.

As a devoted gamer, I can’t help but feel the anticipation building up for Season 2 of The Last of Us. The first season left us all in awe with its spot-on adaptation from Naughty Dog’s beloved game, but when it comes to bringing the second installment to life on screen, I fear that the show might not live up to everyone’s expectations and possibly leave some fans feeling let down.

In the first installment of “The Last of Us,” the entire storyline from the initial game was brought to life, following Joel and Ellie as they trekked through a post-apocalyptic United States in search of a cure for the zombie fungus that had engulfed their world. By the end, Joel chose to save Ellie, a decision that could potentially have repercussions down the line. The upcoming second season promises to incorporate elements from Naughty Dog’s second game, “The Last of Us Part 2,” which not only expands upon the first but also delves deeper into its characters and narrative structure, offering a more intricate tale.

How The Last of Us Part 2 Plays With Time

Spoilers for the plot of The Last of Us Part 2 are ahead.

In “The Last of Us Part 2,” the game size has approximately doubled compared to its predecessor, primarily due to the unique narrative approach that shifts the story between two viewpoints: Ellie and Abby. The events unfold when Ellie sees Joel’s devastating death at the hands of Abby, which propels her on a vengeful journey to Seattle. For the initial half of the game, players control Ellie as she relentlessly pursues Abby. However, the game then offers an unexpected twist by letting players experience the second half of the story from Abby’s perspective. This dual perspective allows players to develop emotional connections and antipathies towards both characters’ actions, as they each play a role in perpetuating the cycle of violence during those same three days.

Ellie and Abby’s lives intertwine only on the last day in Seattle, yet their individual actions significantly affect each other at various points. The structure of the game’s narrative unfolds thus:

  • Jackson (Ellie)
  • Seattle Day 1 (Ellie)
  • Seattle Day 2 (Ellie)
  • Seattle Day 3 (Ellie)
  • Salt Lake Prologue (Abby)
  • Seattle Day 1 (Abby)
  • Seattle Day 2 (Abby)
  • Seattle Day 3 (Abby)
  • Jackson (Ellie)
  • Santa Barbara (Ellie)

Over time, certain enthusiasts have advocated for a director’s cut edition of “The Last of Us Part 2”, where the game could be experienced in order by switching the days between Ellie and Abby. However, reworking this interwoven timeline for the TV series adaptation of “The Last of Us” Season 2 might pose some challenges.

Which Route Will the TV Show Go?

Currently, it’s uncertain precisely how the TV series for “The Last of Us Part 2” will manage its timeline. Creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann have hinted that the main story may span over two, or possibly three, seasons to ensure a faithful adaptation. This implies that regardless of the show’s direction, significant events from the game will be given proper treatment. The trailers for “The Last of Us” Season 2 suggest that the narrative might encompass the Jackson prologue and at least Ellie’s first day in Seattle, but it’s also possible that HBO is keeping most of the season’s content secret to prevent revealing upcoming events.

In the trailers for The Last of Us Season 2, there are some unexpected twists that might deviate from the game’s original plotline. For instance, Catherine O’Hara’s character seems to add a new, enigmatic element to Jackson at the start of the story or possibly in flashbacks. Another twist is the inclusion of Jeffrey Wright’s character, Isaac, who leads the WLF and is closely tied to Abby. The scene featuring him appears to be from Day 1 of Abby’s game narrative, suggesting that Season 2 might present a more chronological account of events, potentially switching between Ellie and Abby’s timelines.

Can The Last of Us Season 2 Satisfy Everyone?

Regardless of how HBO’s The Last of Us structures its narrative timeline, it’s unlikely to satisfy everyone. If the series follows the sequence of events from the second game closely, we would primarily see Ellie’s perspective, which means that Season 3 might focus on Abby’s storyline. This could potentially exclude Joel and Ellie, who have become beloved characters for viewers, for an entire season. Such a significant absence of key characters like Joel and Ellie might deter some viewers, especially since Abby’s actions towards Joel may not make her a popular character among fans. Consequently, some viewers might choose to boycott the storyline that revolves around Abby.

Instead of having Seasons 2 and 3 of “The Last of Us” unfold chronologically by alternating between Ellie’s and Abby’s timelines, this method might create a more evenly paced season and ensure that many beloved cast members are featured throughout both seasons. However, if the series chooses to go this route, it may potentially frustrate fans of the original game who anticipate a TV adaptation as close as possible to the game’s narrative sequence.

Regardless of the path The Last of Us chooses, it’s likely to dissatisfy someone. Fingers crossed, the series manages to uphold the storytelling brilliance and expand the game universe as seen in Season 1, in a way that satisfies viewers so much that the chronological sequence won’t be an issue.

The Last of Us Season 2 will be released in Spring 2025.

Read More

2024-12-09 00:04