How Queer Love Grounds ‘The Last of Us’ Above All Else — Despite The Online Backlash

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As a passionate film enthusiast, I must say that the moment when Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin’s HBO adaptation of “The Last of Us” veered notably away from the original game was when the series truly began to express its unique storytelling voice.

In the poignant Season 1 episode titled “Long, Long Time”, we delve into the profound 20-year love affair between Bill (played by Nick Offerman) and Frank (Murray Bartlett). This story unfolds as they find themselves falling for each other, despite Bill’s dominant and masculine persona, and enduring their relationship even amidst Frank’s illness. However, in the game, their romance is subtly suggested when Joel and Ellie stumble upon Frank’s body suspended with a note.

This TV series, “The Last of Us” on HBO, offers a remarkable departure from typical post-apocalyptic narratives, daring to dedicate an entire episode’s worth of time to such a detour. In a world devoid of hope, witnessing two men forge an unusual bond stands out as the show’s distinct characteristic. Despite being a genre series set in the wake of humanity’s downfall, where infected creatures pose constant threats to the surviving humans, it’s the poignant human drama and heartfelt queer love stories that give “The Last of Us” its vitality and authenticity.

In Season 1, the main plot revolved around the development of a father-daughter bond between Joel and Ellie. However, Joel’s demise in Season 2 necessitated a shift. The creators, Druckmann and Mazin, have found a new focus in the gradual romance between Ellie and Dina, offering a fresh dynamic for Ellie’s character development. Simultaneously, this relationship serves as a platform for Ellie to grapple with her anger after witnessing Abby kill the only family she has ever known.

As a devoted fan of “The Last of Us,” I too pondered how the series could progress without the core Ellie and Joel bond. Yet, the writers’ thoughtful approach in nurturing Ellie and Dina’s relationship, amidst the turbulent aftermath of Joel’s passing, underscores that love, especially queer love, is the heart of this show – a truth that has been evident all along. Though episodes like Bill and Frank from Season 1 might not have carried the same plot-driven weight as others, they weave beautifully into the broader narrative, emphasizing that even in the face of destruction, love perseveres.

While many viewers seem to share positive sentiments, there’s no denying that not everyone agrees. In contrast to Season 1’s impressive audience rating of 86% on Rotten Tomatoes, Season 2 currently stands at 39%. This mirrors the significant uproar among gamers upon Joel’s death in “Part II,” which led some actors like Laura Bailey (originally Abby’s voice actor) to face threats. Similarly, Season 2 has faced review bombing due to intolerance towards Ellie and Dina’s relationship. The episode “Long, Long Time” experienced a similar backlash when it first aired. However, the negative feedback toward this season has been particularly disheartening to witness – a regrettable demonstration of the increasing prevalence of hateful discourse, especially under the current political climate.

Here, Dina assumes a co-leading role alongside Ellie, having maintained much of the spirit she had in the game. In this storyline, Dina becomes a confidante for Ellie during a distressing phase in her life. Sharing time with Dina allows Ellie to reconnect with moments of happiness and laughter, although these instances are often fleeting due to Ellie’s relentless pursuit of Abby.

Featured prominently as the main characters are openly queer actors such as Ramsey, who identifies as nonbinary, and Merced. Their authenticity and comfort in their roles has significantly contributed to the success of the storyline. In an interview with EbMaster about Episode 4, which includes a heartfelt love scene between them, Merced shared: “Since we both have experience in same-sex relationships, it’s easy to tell when someone lacks that experience. It’s palpable. Therefore, we were already at ease and comfortable, allowing us to truly delve into our characters.

Discussing the debate on whether straight or queer actors should portray LGBTQ+ roles, it’s worth noting how Ramsey and Merced’s personal experiences enriched this intimate scene in the show. It’s interesting to highlight that this episode was helmed by Kate Herron, a bisexual director, and Peter Hoar, an openly gay director, who directed Bill and Frank’s episode from Season 1.

If Druckmann and Mazin plan to stick closely to the remaining plot points of “The Last of Us Part II” in Season 3, it’s likely that Lev, a transgender man and former Scar member, will take on a significant role. However, as this season of “The Last of Us” has faced some backlash online, it could be beneficial for the writers and HBO to delve deeper into and add layers to Ellie and Dina’s relationship, as well as the new LGBTQ+ characters, moving beyond the template set in the original game.

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2025-05-25 19:46