While we collect ourselves after that brutal cliffhanger, let’s take a look back at what we’ve seen this time around
BY NIC CROSARA, IMAGES BY HOME BOX OFFICE
The game-to-screen adaptation of The Last Of Us’ (TLOU) second season certainly had a lot of shocking moments. The previous season has been praised for its moving LGBTQIA storylines and the portrayal of Ellie’s (Bella Ramsey) identity as a lesbian.
There was loss, heartbreak and devastation aplenty in the show’s second instalment, but at the centre of it all, we also got a moving sapphic love story. While we collect ourselves after that brutal cliffhanger, let’s take a look back at what we’ve seen this time around.
Warning: Do not read on unless you’re happy to be spoiled on the first and second seasons of the show.
Ellie and Dina’s New Year’s Eve kiss
The show’s first episode introduced us to Isabela Merced’s Dina. She and Bella shared wonderful chemistry onscreen, and it was great to see unapologetic sapphic representation from the get-go.
The introduction of Abby
Confession time: my wife got me to play the TLOU game before the second season came out, so I was mentally prepared for the brutal killing of Joel (Pedro Pascal). In the games, I’m actually very much an Abby supporter. I’m very much looking forward to seeing what they do with her character in the third season. And yes, Kaitlyn Dever’s Abby looks very different to the version of her we see in the game, but her performance is very captivating. I’m ready for her to steal the show in the next chapter.
The attack on Jackson
This was one of the best changes from the original source material. It added to the suspense of an already high-stakes situation. It also means that we can expect to see more big action scenes and changes from the original source material in future seasons.
The gore has certainly ramped up
As well as a full-on battle scene, we also got to see the evolution of the Cordyceps fungus that has led to the swarms of undead creatures our protagonists have to go up against. This time around, we got to see the infection become airborne through spores. It was a very creepy and gory scene.
We get to see more of the side characters
One of the biggest differences between the show and TLOU games is that the show lets us see the story from multiple different perspectives. This means we get to see a lot more of the inner workings of side characters, especially the previously mentioned Dina. Yes, her hair was unrealistically flawless for a post-apocalyptic horseback adventure/revenge quest – but it was good to see how she had gotten to Jackson. We also got to see her unpack her bisexual identity in a way she doesn’t in the games.
The flashback episode
Over the two seasons, Bella and Pedro have built up such a fantastic onscreen (and offscreen) bond that the fans have loved getting to witness. Their paternal relationship became strained after the events of season one, but this flashback episode showed us the special moments they both shared that we missed during the time jump. It was bittersweet, as we got to see Pedro as Joel again, but we also realised it’s probably the last time we’ll get to see these characters together.
Ellie and Dina’s rainbow family
When Dina reveals to Ellie that she is pregnant (with Jesse’s baby), Ellie responds with: “I’m gonna be a dad.” These five words made some viewers spiral. And to be honest, it was worth it to see how some people’s brains couldn’t get over the concept that somebody could identify as a lesbian and a dad.
The set-up for season three
A valid criticism for this instalment of the series is that it’s very verbally exposition-heavy. With that said, I still think they left enough questions unanswered, or for the viewer to work out. It also does a good job of setting up future conflicts in the coming season/s.
That cliffhanger
After not seeing Abby since she brutally killed Joel, Ellie and the gang come face-to-face with her again. She shoots and kills another beloved character, this time Jesse. His shocking death is followed by a gunshot before the screen fades to black. This leaves viewers wondering whether it was Ellie or Tommy who was shot at. We then cut to an Abby flashback, setting up that we’ll be seeing more of her story in the future.
Hopefully, we get a season three release date announcement before too long!
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