Season 2 of The Last of Us is almost upon us. The beloved HBO series returns on April 13, 2025 for its sophomore outing and the world is more than ready for it. It’s been a couple of years since the first season of the show was released, and you may have forgotten some of the things that happened.
For example, Joel has a brother named Tommy, and Ellie loves space. There's also a bunch of people worldwide infected with cordyceps who are killing and infecting people.
If you haven’t binged Season 1 of The Last of Us, here are the important things to remember before the TV show returns. Let's start with the first episode of the series.
8. Outbreak day was in 2003
It may not seem crucial, but it is. The day that the world went to hell in The Last of Us happened in 2003. The year of the world turning upside down with the cordyceps outbreak explains why some people act the way they do. Their ways of thinking are stuck in the early 2000s. These outdated views may be, well, outdated, but it could come into play early on in season 2.
7. Joel’s daughter died on the day that it all began
Joel will never get over the death of his daughter. It’s part of the reason he chose to save Ellie in the season finale of The Last of Us (more on that later). There will likely be a moment when that feeling comes into play as the show continues. I won’t spoil anything, but specifically with a story that involves a dinosaur.
6. Ellie is immune
Ellie not being able to contract the cordyceps virus could be the most commonly known thing about The Last of Us. Nevertheless, it still needs to be mentioned because it’s important. It's the main focus of the first game and the HBO adaptation.
So far, Ellie is the only person immune to the cordyceps virus. The theory is that it comes from her mother being infected right before she (Ellie) was born. This immunity was supposed to help create a vaccine to help humanity fight back against the cordyceps. Thanks to Joel, that plan never happened.
Writer's note: We don't meet Ellie's mother or know about the birth in The Last of Us video game. This revelation happens in season 1, episode 9 of the show.
5. Joel's choice
Joel knew Ellie wanted this procedure. He knew she wanted to save the world from what it had become. But he decided to choose for her, saving her life and potentially dooming the future of humanity in the process. Granted, Ellie didn't know it was going to kill her, but Joel took the option away from her. This leads to Joel killing a bunch of Firefly soldiers and, eventually, the medical staff who were going to operate on Ellie. This decision could have doomed the world.
4. Ellie didn't believe Joel
Before Joel and Ellie ended up in Jackson, Wyoming, Ellie asked Joel a question. She wanted to know if there really was a bunch of immune people with the Fireflies. Joel swore that there were, but you can tell Ellie didn't believe him. Will she eventually learn the truth about what happened in the Salt Lake City hospital?
3. Jackson, Wyoming
Sometimes, location isn’t important in shows, but it will be here. Ellie and Dina are going to embark on a journey that will take them a while since they're not driving. On the way, their relationship will strengthen. Since their entire trek from state to state won’t show, it’s good to know how long they’ve been traveling so you can understand why their bond will deepen.
2. Ellie's been in love once
Back in the seventh episode of season 1, viewers got to see the first time Ellie was in love. She fell for Riley - a former schoolmate who was just as rebellious as she was. Unfortunately, nothing in Ellie’s life stays happy. Riley and Ellie were both bitten by an infected person. As we know, Ellie didn’t turn. Riley wasn’t so lucky.
1. Joel's anxiety
Joel’s panic attacks in the HBO series are one of the things that separate him from his character in the source material. They add another layer to his personality instead of him being grumpy most of the time. It’s unclear how much of that will be important in this season due to something that happens early in the show. However, it could be why Gail (played by Catherine O'Hara) is talking to Joel like a therapist in the trailers. Regardless of the reason, it's a crucial part of his personality on HBO's The Last of Us..
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