The Last of Us: Why ‘Take on Me’ Perfectly Captures Ellie and Dina’s Emotional Journey

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In the video game The Last of Us Part II, the tune ‘Take on Me’ significantly contributes to the storyline, and its creator, Neil Druckmann, has delved into the reasons for choosing this song and how it aligns with the TV series version.

In simpler terms, Season 2 of The Last of Us delves into a chilling horror narrative, yet it equally emphasizes a heartwarming romance as it explores the blossoming connection between characters Ellie and Dina.

In the game, A-ha’s ‘Take on Me’ significantly contributes to the narrative, whereas in the series, the same song is placed at a somewhat varied stage during their adventure.

In a fresh interview, Neil Druckmann, creator of The Last of Us, together with his fellow showrunner Craig Mazin, share their rationale behind selecting the 1980s classic as their setting and delve into the filming process of an impactful scene. Be aware that the following information may contain spoilers…

How ‘Take on Me’ changes Ellie and Dina’s relationship in The Last of Us

In the given situation, Ellie discovers a guitar inside a music shop, takes it in hand, and sings an unplugged adaptation of ‘Take on Me,’ much like how A-ha performed it at their MTV Unplugged show (as shown in the video).

During the game’s creation, Neil Druckman explains, we were on a quest to find the perfect tune. For this task, Halley Gross, my collaborator on the game and now the show, was connected because she knew the wife of A-Ha guitarist Paul [Waaktaar-Savoy], who penned that song.

While I was present during filming, I captured their performance from the monitor and sent it to him. His reaction was heartwarming as he appreciated how beautifully their song was utilized within the series.

Craig Mazin emphasizes that for a TV series to halt and feature someone singing a significant portion of a song, it’s crucial that the tune carries thematic significance. In other words, there should be an underlying narrative or event taking place within the song itself; it shouldn’t just be a standalone performance.

Neil and I often discuss how actions in our sequences serve to either expose or alter relationships. This principle needed to apply here as well since it’s not a choice for the viewer that something is happening. Given that Ellie and Dina had already formed a romantic partnership by this stage of the game, it’s essential that some interaction occurs between them.

Here, that’s not the case as of now. Dina isn’t prepared or certain yet. Then Ellie sings to her, and you can witness Isabela Merced portraying Dina falling in love on screen. To put it mildly, ‘portray’ doesn’t do justice to what you’re seeing. In reality, what you’re observing is Isabella falling in love herself, and it’s an incredibly moving moment.

Why Craig Mazin was worried about “screwing up” key scene

As a dedicated fan, I recall a pivotal moment when director Kate Herron and I had an enlightening conversation with Bella about the profound impact of playing guitar. We explained that there are two ways to approach it: one could serenade to captivate or shyly express vulnerability without making eye contact. However, if you do glance up, even briefly, and then return to your melody, the emotion becomes palpable for the other person. Essentially, while you’re lost in your music, they will feel every nuance of it.

They truly excelled in their work, leaving me feeling incredibly proud. To begin with, such a day carries a lot of weight, and I couldn’t afford any mistakes. The scene was crucial, carrying significance for many, and I cherished our interpretation that stayed true to the game yet had its unique touch due to a slightly different context. There were intriguing developments in that scene as well.

In this crucial instant, their relationship undergoes a significant shift – one that sets the stage for all that follows. If this pivotal moment were to be missed, it could potentially alter the ending of the episode entirely.

Neil Druckman explains: “Amidst the turmoil, there’s a touching bond and familiarity between characters that brings a sense of normalcy. Even in their challenging circumstances, these young individuals, aged 19, retain their youthful innocence. This was crucial to our narrative as it shows they haven’t yet been entirely shaped by their world.

To delve deeper into The Last of Us, explore if Abby meets her end in the game, learn about the timeline where The Last of Us is set, understand why Ellie placed coffee beans on Joel’s tomb, and uncover intriguing details from Season 2 that were inspired by an element not present in the game.

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2025-05-05 13:53