The Last of Us

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SPOILER ALERT: This story contains spoilers for “The Last of Us” Season 2, Episode 3.

In “The Last of Us” Season 2, there’s a potential exploration of the pitfalls of seeking vengeance. However, Isabela Merced encourages viewers not to feel pressured to anticipate or align with the characters’ ethical teachings; it’s alright to simply enjoy the story without trying to outsmart its moral messages.

In simpler terms, Merced, who portrays Dina in “The Last of Us” Season 2, Episode 3, shared her thoughts during a screening on April 24. She believes that while watching this episode, viewers should embrace their emotions as they arise, rather than trying to analyze or judge the characters’ actions. Merced suggests that the creators intended for the audience to feel frustrated and hurt along with the characters, not to pass judgment based on individual motives. The event was a celebration of the show’s diverse casting, hosted by Complex and Max.

“They’re cooking,” Merced said. “The meal’s not done yet.”

In the beginning of Season 2, Joel was brutally slain by Abby, who was seeking revenge for her father’s death at Joel’s hands at the end of the previous season when he saved Ellie. Overwhelmed with grief and anger, Ellie made a solemn promise to Abby and her companions in the second episode of this season that she would exact her own revenge upon them.

“I don’t think you have to be bigger than the message,” Merced added.

Merced engaged in a conversation about the series with co-stars Gabriel Luna, Danny Ramirez, Tati Gabrielle, and Ariela Barer. During their discussion, they delved into the complexities of what triggers violent actions and vengeance in individuals.

Barer emphasized that the central idea running through this season is “the path to destruction is often lined with well-meaning actions.

Ramirez, Gabrielle, and Barer, portraying characters from Abby’s team, engaged in discussions revolving around the ethical implications of Abby taking Joel’s life. Ramirez emphasized that aside from endangering their loved ones, Joel was responsible for hindering the production of a vaccine as well.

Ramirez stated, ‘When he was criticizing people we care about deeply, it immediately prompted a response from our closest friend who mentioned their father’s situation. My reaction was, ‘No matter who stands against us, we will protect them.’

In their portrayals, Gabrielle (as Nora) stated that each member of the trio’s view on the death mirrored their respective character’s mentalities. Ramirez’s Manny fully backed Joel’s pursuit, while Barer’s Mel was the least enthusiastic. “I believe Nora finds herself somewhere in between…Nora is both a soldier and a doctor,” Gabrielle remarked.

Moreover, Gabrielle (as Abby) mentioned that her father not only acted as a mentor to them but also as a doctor. She pondered, “As a doctor, shouldn’t we be trying to save as many people as possible? But on the other hand, he sent our people out and doomed the rest of the world.

Barer mentioned that Mel wasn’t fully supportive of Abby’s intention for revenge. He explained, “I believe she doesn’t have a strong allegiance to Abby. Instead, her main priority is to avoid causing harm. She wants to assist and protect people. What he did was beyond forgiveness. However, I’m not sure if retribution equals justice, and that seems to be Mel’s stance.

In Episode 3, we explore the roots of Ellie’s thirst for retribution. When inquired about who supported Ellie’s proposition during the town meeting to assemble a group to pursue Abby, Luna suggested that Tommy and Maria might have been among those who voted yes. However, he was unsure about a third individual who joined their camp. He presumed Jesse (Young Mazino) would have opposed because “he is being prepared for the role of this town’s leader.

Merced expressed doubt, stating that it wasn’t entirely certain whether Jesse had cast a ‘no’ vote. “However, I was informed by Young that he did vote against it,” Luna clarified.

“Young and Jesse are different,” Merced replied.

In a discussion about Episode 3, Merced talked about her acting method for the scene where Dina reveals secrets she kept from Ellie. “Dina is aware of Ellie’s reactions and can spot any signs of an impending outburst because she knows Ellie so well. That’s why I remain calm in the scene. To prepare, I thought about how a parent might deliver difficult news to a child,” Merced explained.

The actors were asked about how the original video games impacted the series. Although the co-creator Craig Mazin advised them against playing the games, several cast members admitted they delved into the source material anyway. Luna added that familiarity with the games proved useful during filming.

Luna stated, “Since everyone got to play the game, we have individuals working in the props department, costumes, and our directors – all of whom had previously played it and cultivated a deep affection for it. This shared passion for the original material is evident during production, not just among those playing characters, but throughout the entire team.

As a supporter, I’ve noticed that Craig, our new cast member, is thoroughly immersed in the overall creative vision of the writers. His generosity extends far beyond his personal thoughts; he seems to have an extensive understanding of each character, delving deep into their psyches and histories. In essence, he carries a wealth of knowledge about everyone involved.

The series further develops the team’s characters in unique ways, differing from their portrayal in the game. In a pre-panel interview with EbMaster, Ramirez mentioned that the character of Manny underwent some modifications.

Ramirez stated, ‘In the video game, he was barely recognizable to us, and we often teased about this fact. Back then, the game was developed under different circumstances…to clarify, the game itself had its own unique timeline separate from our reality.’

For example, his identity as a Latino character wasn’t entirely accurate to the setting of the show… In this adaptation, the outbreak occurs earlier than in the game. Consequently, the culture and environment evolve significantly, affecting aspects like accents or cultural origins. As a result, Manny underwent a notable change in his portrayal in this time shift.

Ramirez explained that the choice not to include accents in their production stemmed from realizing that the series was starting at a distinctly separate point compared to the original video game.

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2025-04-28 05:47