‘The Last of Us’ Season 2 Is a Wrenching Saga of Revenge That Lets Bella Ramsey Take the Reins: TV Review

by

In essence, Season 2 of “The Last of Us” picks up right where Season 1 ended. Before they arrive at the sanctuary of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, which was previously a ski resort but is now serving as refuge from the zombies caused by the Cordyceps fungus in post-apocalyptic America, smuggler Joel (Pedro Pascal) deceives Ellie (Bella Ramsey), his unofficial daughter. He assures Ellie that he’s truthful about the destruction of a hospital in Salt Lake City. However, viewers of the HBO series and players of the popular video game are aware that this isn’t true. In reality, Joel went on a rampage after discovering that the doctors’ efforts to extract a cure from Ellie, who is immune to the Cordyceps fungus, would be fatal for her. It seems that Ellie may have suspected the truth, although she hasn’t explicitly admitted it to herself.

Reflecting on this captivating continuation, I find myself five years ahead in the gripping world of “The Last of Us.” Yet, the initial scene serves as a stark reminder that Joel’s impulsive, life-threatening, self-centered, yet fiercely loving choice continues to cast a shadow over these cherished characters. The reverberations of this pivotal moment ignite the narrative engine for the seven-episode season. Prior to this, it shapes Joel and Ellie’s bond and establishes the season’s central themes: the struggle between vengeance and mercy, and the constant battle between our personal desires and our duty to others, questioning whether we can ever truly discern one from the other. The shift in focus lends an even bleaker atmosphere to a show that was already challenging to watch, but it allows for Ramsey to transform Joel’s character from a wisecracking adolescent into a deeply scarred young adult.

As a devoted fan, I’ve been eagerly anticipating the return of “The Last of Us,” co-created by Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, who also masterminded its captivating source material. Unlike other game adaptations that need to create an original narrative within their inherited world, such as “Fallout,” which premiered after “The Last of Us” concluded its initial run two years ago, “The Last of Us” was already rich in storytelling, a rarity for video games. The first game, essentially an extended road trip with a clear beginning and end, worked perfectly for a standalone season. However, due to plot points that I’m unable to reveal but are familiar to fans of the games, “The Last of Us: Part II” necessitates a more fragmented narrative structure – a fact that becomes apparent even before its suspenseful cliffhanger ending. This is evident in the reduced episode count compared to Season 1’s nine parts.

Clearly, “The Last of Us” has earned its status as both a critical and commercial success, demanding not only fan’s understanding during the gaps between releases but also HBO’s significant commitment for multiple seasons. The series continues to impress with its production values, from the densely overgrown abandoned cityscapes to the breathtaking natural landscapes to the throngs of Infected, particularly in a tense battle episode directed by industry veteran Mark Mylod (“Succession”, “Game of Thrones”). However, Season 2 shifts away from the forward momentum of the journey from Point A to Point B, instead focusing on meticulously crafting a sense of place. Much like its characters, “The Last of Us” chooses to pause in its wandering to settle down and establish some roots.

In the early days of its existence amid a wild and untamed world, I’ve come to understand Jackson Hole as a nascent beacon of civilization. It operates on a barter system, has a security patrol, and boasts a democratic local government led by Joel’s brother Tommy (Gabriel Luna) and his sister-in-law Maria (Rutina Wesley). As an adult, Ellie is expected to contribute to this fragile society, learning survival skills from diligent citizen Jesse (Young Mazino, leveraging his “Beef” fame) and scouting for the Infected alongside her best friend Dina (Isabela Merced), who also has a complicated relationship with Jesse. The town’s therapist, Gail (played brilliantly by Catherine O’Hara), helps Jacksonites navigate issues like family strife, such as my teenager’s reluctance to engage with me. However, the source of that strain is far from ordinary – and for now, it remains shrouded from the audience. With Ellie’s immunity a closely-guarded secret, Gail doesn’t need to be aware of this extraordinary circumstance.

In the second season of “The Last of Us,” I found myself immersed in the exploration and development of the Jackson settlement, a place that had been hinted at in earlier seasons as a refuge for survivors. This season, it’s under threat from outside forces, which is a common trope in Western narratives. By the time Abby, a survivor from Salt Lake City, makes her way to this village, the danger posed by an outsider to this precious sanctuary is palpable.

Abby, the significant character introduced in Season 2, is played by Dever, an exceptionally skilled actor under thirty. However, despite being highly acclaimed, Dever’s role seems limited in this season, with her appearances being scarce and listed as a guest star. Instead, it’s Merced who shares most of the scenes with Ramsey, during Ellie’s conflict with Joel. Instead of the tense interactions between two prickly characters, we see a heartwarming, playful bond developing between these children who are forced to mature prematurely. While Joel and Ellie do have their moments this season, viewers will need to be patient for them, and they’ll have to endure a substantial emotional burden along the way.

In “The Last of Us,” as is customary, the Cordyceps zombies pose just as much danger as the void left by collapsed society and law. This leaves humans to determine their own sense of justice or retaliation. Ellie, in particular, grapples with this as she does so herself, and a journey to Seattle throws her into a conflict between a rebellious militia and a primitive religious group, each striving to claim the moral upper hand. (Jeffrey Wright reprises his role as the militia leader from the game.) Joel is not alone in making poor choices driven by relatable yet regrettable motivations, and post-outbreak children like Ellie have had limited examples of other ways of life to follow. “The Last of Us” portrays this harsh existence with unwavering authenticity.

The second season of “The Last of Us” is set to debut on both HBO and Max on the 13th of April at 9 PM Eastern Time. Following episodes will be released every Sunday, continuing on a weekly basis.

Read More

2025-04-07 19:19