Shocking to no one, the first season of The Last of Us on HBO and Max was a hit. The video game it is based on was a masterpiece, but it was the story drew people in - and the series showcased that.
Joel and Ellie’s relationship was at the center of the story but that was only part of its greatness. The emotional moments made the commentary about what life is worth saving made it the talk of the year in the video game community. People still debate whether or not Joel (played by Pedro Pascal) should have saved Ellie (Bella Ramsey). If you think that story divided people, wait until you meet Abby.
*** WARNING! POTENTIAL SPOILERS FOR THE LAST OF US SEASON 2! ***
“For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction” can be related to more than just motion. Joel killing the medical staff who planned to use Ellie to create a vaccine started a chain reaction of events that caused the deaths of dozens if not hundreds of people. Among the things it caused was Abby (the daughter of the surgeon who was killed) going on a quest for revenge. When she got her chance to get revenge, she did.
Abby’s retaliation is only one of the things that needs to be seen when this story is adapted in the series. However, there are other elements of the story that aren't as necessary to the TV series, meaning that we don't need to see them. Here’s a little bit of both.
Do: Abby’s nightmares
Abby’s nightmares in The Last of Us Part II aren’t talked about enough. They showed how she progressed as a person and when she started to forgive herself. Because, believe it or not, it’s doubtful that Abby was happy with what she did. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have nightmares. It's a lesson in showing how sometimes things must be let go.
Don’t: Make Joel’s death meaningless
Whenever it happens, Joel’s death will be the most heartbreaking moment of the year. But it has to be more than violent. Abby’s brutal attacks on Joel must look personal. Hitting him without emotion on Abby’s face would be pointless. Thankfully, Kaitlyn Dever is amazing (watch No One Will Save You for proof).
After the beatdown in the video game, Abby’s teammates (the WLF) had different feelings about what happened and what to do with Ellie and Tommy. That’s another crucial part of this scene. It’s needed so viewers can truly understand that sometimes getting what you want isn’t what you need.
Do: Keep Lev transgender
It's not yet clear if Lev will appear in the second season of The Last of Us or if the character will be held back until the third, but there is no denying that he is a major part of Ellie's story and will likely appear at some point. Whenever he does appear, it's important that the show adapts the source material faithfully and ensures that the character of Lev is transgender, just as he is in the video game.
Lev being transgender is very important to the story, but more to life in general. People forget that Outbreak Day happened in 2013. While people have been transgender for centuries, there wasn't a lot of trans representation on television back then. There still isn't, and in today's day and age, it's more important than ever. Lev's story shines a light on the topic that transgender people deserve the same rights and respect as everyone.
Do: Flashbacks
Ellie and Abby have flashbacks in The Last of Us game that help explain their actions in the present. They had different lives, but the one thing they have in common is Joel's biggest decision. For Abby, it’s her obsession with killing him while Ellie starts to think about the day she left Seattle. It’s a great duality of stories that’ll bring the season together.
There’s also an opportunity for supporting characters to get more shine in the flashbacks. Among them are Owen and Tommy. Both are in the present but aren’t shown a lot. Seeing who they are to Abby and Ellie before season 2's events will be key to how people react to their fates.
Don’t: Overdo the Journey
One of the best things season 1 of The Last of Us did was shorten the journey. Some of the long walks and climbing that were a part of the video game weren’t needed for the series. As fun as the gameplay may have been, seeing the characters walk around for extended periods will take people out of the show. It’s something that the co-creator of the game Neil Druckmann mentioned during The Last of Us podcast. No doubt will remain the same in season 2.
Do: Abby’s fear of heights
Abby didn’t have a lot of weaknesses, but one of them was heights. Sometimes it was nearly paralyzing. It was well done in the game by having the animators put fear on her face (something you don’t often see with Abby).
It was also a way for Lev and Abby to bond. I can’t wait to see how Kaitlyn Dever portrays this.
Do: Dina is still Jewish in the series
When Isabela Merced was cast to play Dina in The Last of Us season 2, fans were a little confused as the character is Jewish in the video game. There is no doubt that Merced will do a wonderful job, but a lot of fans were hoping that the show would be casting a Jewish person to play Dina in the series.
Even so, it's important that the character remains Jewish. It may not have been something that was focused on a lot in the video game, but it was still an important part of Dina's character that also had a major role in its own way. Particularly in a scene that helped Ellie learn more about someone she eventually loved.
Do: More Cordyceps
Those infected with the Cordyceps are obviously a big part of The Last of Us. The first season was based on the first video game, and we saw plenty of them in that. However, there were different infected in the second game and they were even more terrifying.
The stalkers were creepy and good for a jump scare. The Shamblers were, well, gross-looking and secreted acid. And then there’s the Rat King. We should see them all at some point but with one caveat…
Don't: The Rat King battle
As much as I’d love to see Abby fight the rat king Corydep, it would be a waste of time. The fun was in the battle itself. Unless Abby is fighting it with some of her teammates, we don’t need to see the battle adapted for television. Instead, after she gets the medical supplies she is after, she should see the beast and run. it's a more realistic response to seeing it and it sort of happened in the game.
Do: Show Ellie's dark side
Ellie was never an angel, but she became a lot darker after Joel was murdered. The trauma from seeing that flipped a switch that ruined her life. There’s a particular moment with Nora that’s particularly brutal. If this isn’t part of her personality then the point of the character’s evolution is missed.
Don't: Squish everything into one season
A lot happened in The Last of Us Part II and while some of it can be taken out for the show, there’s still too much to shove into one season. Fans may want everything to happen in eight episodes, but it would be a mistake. There is more to the story than that.
Split things up into two or more seasons. Not only does this give the creative team time to tell a proper story, but it leaves an option to tell untold stories. For example, learning about Lev and Yara before they met Abby is something viewers would enjoy.
What are some things you do and don’t want to see during season 2 of The Last of Us? Let us know on the Bam Smack Pow Bluesky, Instagram, and Twitter.