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The Last of Us Season 2: Exploring Character Dynamics and Storytelling Choices

New episodes of season 2 of The Last of Us air on HBO every Sunday night. For those tuning in, this discussion features insights from Kyle Orland, who is well-versed with the games, and Andrew Cunningham, who approaches it from a fresh perspective. This recap includes significant spoilers, so it’s best to watch the latest episode before diving in.

A Shocking Return to 2020

Kyle: Welcome, Andrew, and all viewers who missed out on The Last of Us Part 2. Let’s rewind to the summer of 2020, a time when the gaming community was stunned by a pivotal and shocking character death that rivaled any dramatic moments from Final Fantasy VII.

Before we delve into the alterations made to Joel’s crucial death scene in the TV adaptation and assess its effectiveness, I’m eager to hear your thoughts on both the climactic moment and the aftermath.

Andrew: My primary reaction highlights my status as someone completely unaware of what to expect. I couldn’t help but notice that last week, Kyle let me express a plethora of thoughts, even though he was fully aware of what was about to unfold. What I initially perceived as the prologue to a new season instead felt like a tutorial level in a video game, just before chaos ensues.

The way the show handles Joel’s fate left me taken aback—not only because it was unexpected but also because it strips away one of the two intricately developed characters we invested in throughout the first season. This creative choice, I find, detracts from the overall narrative.

Conveying Character Depth

Kyle: I refrained from hinting at what was to come, and it was somewhat enjoyable to let you savor your last moments of innocence. However, I share your sentiment that Joel’s swift exit diminishes the story that follows. Given the previous emotional weight we felt, I wouldn’t be surprised if flashbacks become part of our experience.

When I encountered the shocking moment back in 2020, significant leaks revealed details that I had to address as a journalist before experiencing the game myself.

The series modulates the impact of what I’ll term “The Moment” by crafting Abby’s motivations clearly across the first episodes rather than allowing the shock to unfold organically, as it did in the game where players engage with a less defined Abby before the pivotal scenes.

In the game, the audience acquires details regarding motivations much later, enhancing emotional weight. It seems the showrunners opted for a more straightforward approach due to the existing game narrative.

Character Development and Audience Engagement

Andrew: I found the over-explaining of motivations distracting, raising concerns about their storytelling choices. I’m not overly keen to follow Ellie on a revenge quest against a character I barely find compelling. The dynamic, it appears, must now connect with the characters in Jackson Hole that we recently met, but those interactions don’t hold the same intrigue as the relationship between Joel and an older Ellie grappling with their shared complications.

Kyle: It’s clear that Joel and Ellie’s relationship was foundational in the first game, while Ellie’s revenge arc is positioned to drive the second. It’s a challenging transition that may not serve the narrative well. In the game, players intimately experience Abby’s struggles and motivations, which are methodically disclosed, leading to a more compelling emotional foundation. The show seems to settle into a clearer narrative too quickly, risking viewer engagement.

Andrew: Certainly, Joel’s actions toward the Fireflies are unforgivable, possibly depriving humanity of a vital cure. Yet, I struggle to sympathize with Abby. Her quest for vengeance appears one-dimensional, culminating in the torment of a character who once saved her life. The show has not built enough empathy towards her, diminishing any potential audience connection.

Capturing Tension and Action

Kyle: Although I understand the narrative intentions behind Abby’s actions, it feels premature to elicit sympathy from the audience. The previous episode also introduced a tense set-piece zombie battle that disrupted the relative peace established in Jackson Hole. This moment felt more like a mission extracted from a video game, prompting me to wonder if I had forgotten a similar action sequence from the game. But, it turned out to be an original creation for the series.

Despite this, I thought it effectively showcased the precariousness of human survival in a world filled with danger while providing unforgettable visual effects. There were indeed moments during the flamethrower scene that had me genuinely anxious about the characters’ fates!

Looking Ahead

Andrew: Abby is inevitably repeating Joel’s earlier mistakes by leaving potential witnesses to her actions. The zombie confrontation was particularly thrilling, especially the chilling visuals of the snow turning to chaos as the horde emerged. Kudos to HBO for pulling off a snowy horde battle that avoids direct comparisons to Game of Thrones.

I’m reluctant to predict the trajectory of the Jackson Hole narrative, as I’m unsure of the balance between rebuilding society or witnessing its decline further. During the flamethrower scene, I found myself contemplating whether anyone would still enjoy the taste of food in this environment.

Kyle: Consuming a regular mushroom in The Last of Us universe might be viewed as daring, like indulging in hallucinogenic mushrooms in our world—an act of rebellion against societal norms.

Andrew: While I might not predict the future of the storyline, several threads remain unresolved as we approach the next episode. How will the residents of Jackson Hole tackle the crisis at hand? How will their interactions shape Ellie’s journey? What consequences will the “Smart Zombies” have moving forward? Most importantly, what new twists will keep the game players engaged?

Kyle: Last season, the unexpected depth of Nick Offerman’s character appeared in the third episode, and I hope for a similarly surprising narrative shift to address Joel’s death. While I’m not endorsing the idea of Bill’s return explicitly, I’d be open to unexpected developments that might emerge in the story.

Source
arstechnica.com