The Last Of Us Season 2 Review – It Can’t Be For Nothing

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Magicians refer to the most challenging and impressive part of an illusion as the climax or finale. This term gained popularity when filmmaker Christopher Nolan used it as the title for his 2006 drama about rival magicians, The Prestige. Performing their grand finale, the prestige is the moment a magician astonishes their audience, leaving them amazed and questioning how it was done. The Last of Us Part II saves its prestige for the latter stages of its 25-hour storyline, whereas the second season of the TV series doesn’t have this opportunity in its adaptation. However, the second season is not a filler part of a trilogy; instead, it carries over the emotional impact from the game to the screen and takes even more risks.

A common point of discussion about The Last of Us is that it appears to combine elements from The Road and Children of Men. While I understand this perspective, I believe it oversimplifies the series. If someone shares this view, I would argue that the second game, and consequently the second season, truly sets the series apart with its unique identity.

The ending of the first season is particularly noteworthy, deviating from typical TV cliffhangers. Instead of leaving the audience wondering about a character’s fate or introducing a new threat as Joel and Ellie’s journey nears, we are presented with a deception – a lie.

Joel opted not to reveal to Ellie that he had essentially doomed the entire world to save her life, instead choosing to tell her something else. Ellie, despite a sense of doubt lurking, decided to believe him. The second season delves into the consequences of this lie and presents twists that will leave anyone new to the series in complete shock.

Season 2 resumes five years following Joel’s deception and reunites our main characters in Jackson, an generally prosperous settlement governed by a council including Joel’s sister-in-law Maria and brother Tommy. The danger of infected continues to be the primary ongoing issue, but the community has established a robust system for protection, patrolling extensively throughout the area to nip problems in the bud before they reach the town’s fortified walls.

In contrast to the game’s players, the series offers viewers extended stays within Jackson’s walls, and much like its previous season, it skillfully utilizes this time by delving into lesser-known characters or introducing new ones who enrich the narrative. One such example is Catherine O’Hara’s character, a therapist in the community who charges her clients based on ounces of marijuana. Known for her comedic roles, she impressively portrays a more serious character here, with a standout scene that significantly contributes to the show’s storyline and makes it one of its most memorable additions.

Pedro Pascal continues to captivate, breathing life into a cherished character with remarkable depth, even as Joel undergoes significant transformation. The Joel from Season 1 was a hardened survivor, willing to inflict harm on others to stay alive, and his past appeared darker than what we typically witnessed on screen. In Season 2, however, we encounter a transformed Joel, seeking belonging and discovering new purpose through Ellie. He seems almost ready for retirement, exchanging intense interrogations for the tranquil pursuit of woodworking in the relatively secure surroundings of Jackson.

Bella Ramsey may find her role particularly challenging, as she plays a character who has matured off-screen during her teen years. Yet, it’s effortless to accept her portrayal of a more mature, intricate character in this season compared to the expletive-loving 14-year-old from Season 1. The genuine camaraderie between Bella and Pascal is evident both on and off-screen, and each scene they share seems steeped in their tumultuous past. Their complex relationship, strained by Joel’s deception and Ellie’s normal teenage struggles, is a recurring theme throughout the season. Initially, I was worried about how the series would adapt their story without simply rehashing it as it was in the game, but ultimately, I found myself feeling a mix of apprehension and eventual contentment.

The sequence of events in the series, similar to a game, is intricate. The process of reworking Naughty Dog’s blend of reveals, flashbacks, and time jumps appears challenging, yet the season’s layout effectively pulls it off. In the original game, Kaitlyn Dever’s character, Abby, has significant details revealed later in gameplay, but in the TV show, these details are unveiled more promptly. This alteration stands out to me, a fan who played and cherished the game, yet it makes sense for television as prolonged obscurity of her role might be perceived as confusing or insignificant.

Based on observing it twice, I’m convinced that Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann adhere to a specific guiding principle for their adaptation: When necessary, they adapt, but when unnecessary, they stay true to the original story. It seems there are more variations between the game and the series now, but the changes made in the series never deteriorate the story. These differences stand out to me because I’ve seen both versions, but without having played the game first, I wouldn’t notice the unique aspects of the show.

Although Season 1’s “Long, Long Time” episode may not have an exact match in Season 2, it doesn’t mean that Season 2 lacks outstanding episodes. While some scenes didn’t pack as big a punch this time around, as was the case when I replayed the game, that’s to be expected when something only impacts you deeply once. The show isn’t at fault for not meeting an impossibly high standard set by the game; sometimes, I even admired the ignorance of those who don’t know what’s to come. One unique moment in the adaptation is so thematically profound and emotionally distressing that it replaced a tearful scene from the game with a completely new emotional experience in the series.

The most challenging aspect when adapting this specific game might be recreating its climactic ‘prestige mode’, a discussion that’s tricky due to spoilers. In essence, this game – The Last of Us Part II – manages something that many stories aspire to achieve, yet few games have dared to attempt. This is what set the game apart and earned it numerous accolades. However, this season won’t be able to replicate that unique element, which places a heavy burden of expectation upon the next season. Simultaneously, this season must deliver an impactful experience without having all the story’s tools at its disposal.

It’s fortunate that The Last of Us Part II shares another characteristic of the game: its significant ups and downs. The initial half of the sequel dares to take substantial risks which prove successful in the end, and this advantage is passed on to the series as it adapts these pivotal scenes. Elements that fit within the mold of a Hollywood production, like this game, translate smoothly to television. Despite differences in intent or visual style between the creators, they consistently devise innovative methods to adapt effectively. They do so by skillfully manipulating its complex timeline, relying on exceptional acting from the cast, and introducing fresh and impactful characters.

Similar to its initial installment, The Last of Us Season 2 explores the complex and evolving line between good and evil, and it’s shaping up impressively to be one of the finest examples of video game adaptations available today.

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2025-04-07 19:40