Epic Showdown: ‘The Last of Us’ Season 2 vs. Helm’s Deep in ‘Lord of the Rings’

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Imagine a tiny yet valiant military force standing guard over their fortified settlement, under siege by an enormously larger enemy army. Amidst this battle, they are battered by torrential rainfall. This scene might remind many people of the legendary battle depicted in Helm’s Deep from The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, a renowned film in Peter Jackson’s trilogy based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel. Similarly, this situation may echo the experiences of viewers who have watched HBO’s adaptation of the popular video game series The Last of Us.

In Season 2, Episode 2 titled “Through the Valley,” an event unfolds distinctly different from what transpires in “The Last of Us: Part II” (2020), the game sequel upon which the series is based: A colossal horde of individuals infected by the Cordyceps fungus advances towards the commune of Jackson, Wyoming, home to the show’s main characters. This young woman named Abby (Kaitlyn Dever) inadvertently awakens them. The subsequent fight, spearheaded by Tommy Miller (Gabriel Luna), Joel’s brother from the first season, bears striking resemblances, both in broad strokes and specific details, to the Battle of Helm’s Deep – leading one to infer that the series creators drew some inspiration from it while scripting and filming this episode.

Outnumbered in Terrible Weather

The primary similarity between the battles of Jackson and Helm’s Deep lies in their geographical structure. In both conflicts, the righteous forces are stationed on the fortifications of their home stronghold, battling to prevent an invasion from breaking through their city barriers. Even though the heroes in both “The Last of Us” and “The Two Towers” occupy the upper hand with higher ground, they are constantly challenged by the seemingly endless hordes of Infected and Uruk-hai, who pose a significant threat to their defensive lines.

In addition, during the battles depicted in Helm’s Deep and Jackson, the weather is incredibly harsh. The Battle of Helm’s Deep takes place under a relentless downpour, while at the same time, Jackson experiences a fierce blizzard during its siege. It’s challenging to determine if these weather conditions help or hinder the good guys in either ‘The Last of Us’ or ‘The Two Towers’, but they undeniably amplify the intensity and emotional impact of both battle scenes for the viewers. Moreover, the heavy rain, snow, and wind give the impression that nature itself is working against the people of Rohan and Jackson, making their eventual victories even more satisfying.

As a movie enthusiast, I find an intriguing parallel between the siege scenes in both “The Two Towers” and “The Last of Us.” In each instance, a singularly powerful member of the invading force serves as the decisive factor, breaching the walls at pivotal moments. In “The Two Towers,” it’s the formidable Berserker, an Uruk-hai with a torch igniting a bomb that penetrates the weakened Helm’s Deep wall. On the other hand, in “The Last of Us,” it’s the monstrous Bloater, a species of Infected, whose bulletproof hide and brute strength allows it to batter down Jackson’s gates with shocking ease. This leaves our heroes, Tommy included, facing even greater peril.

‘The Last of Us’ Is More Realistic Than ‘The Two Towers’

Even though both battles share some resemblances, it’s important to note that the Battle of Jackson should not be simplistically compared to Helm’s Deep. For example, the atmosphere and tones of these two battle scenes are significantly distinct. In contrast to Helm’s Deep, which includes humorous exchanges like the friendly rivalry between Legolas and Gimli (John Rhys-Davies) over who has slain more Orcs, The Last of Us‘s Battle of Jackson maintains a somber and intense tone without any comic relief.

Additionally, while the defenders of Helm’s Deep display valiant courage without exception, some fighters in Jackson exhibit fear, with a few even retreating upon witnessing the immense size of the Infected mob. This portrayal offers a more authentic depiction of battle, as it would be challenging, if not impossible, to keep a positive demeanor and avoid fleeing under such grim conditions.

The Battle of Jackson shares a more authentic resolution compared to the siege at Helm’s Deep. While Helm’s Deep concludes with Gandalf, Eomer, and their cavalry of soldiers miraculously repelling the Uruk-hai and saving the fortress, the victory in Jackson feels like a Pyrrhic one. This is because, despite Tommy and his people overcoming the infected horde, it was a costly win – similar to how many real wars end, with both sides depleting their strength or exhausting resources before reaching a decisive conclusion, rather than ending triumphantly without loss as in Helm’s Deep.

Two Tests of Leadership in ‘The Last of Us’ and ‘The Lord of the Rings’

The battles at Helm’s Deep and Jackson aren’t just designed for cinematic flair; they also play significant roles in character progression, especially for the leaders of the involved communities – King Théoden and Tommy. For King Théoden, the Battle of Helm’s Deep acts as a pivotal wake-up call to the imminent danger that Sauron and Saruman pose to him and his people. Prior to this battle, Théoden was hesitant about engaging in war, fearing to lose more of his citizens. Following the battle, however, he understands that confrontation with Mordor and Isengard is inevitable, and that Rohan must join the fray, regardless of the cost.

In Tommy’s case, the Battle of Jackson shapes his choice to forgo seeking retribution against those who killed his brother, Joel. Despite his yearning for vengeance, he chooses to stay in Jackson to supervise the commune’s healing and rebuilding process instead. This stands in contrast to Théoden, as Tommy opts to steer clear of additional violence and hostilities with outsiders rather than pursue them, which is eventually Théoden’s path. However, similar to Théoden, the battle serves as a catalyst for Tommy to understand that, as a leader, he needs to relinquish his personal desires for the greater good of his people. Furthermore, both seasons of The Last of Us can be streamed on Max, along with The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.

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2025-05-29 00:02