Future days. Latter days. And it’s all so quiet, isn’t it? How could it not be, after the Battle-of-Winterfell-esque cordyceps raid of Jackson, Wyoming. Let’s be clear: it’s a darker world because Joel left it, but not a quieter one. He was no chatterbox. So what’s the deal? It’s because, simply, where once was his presence, there is now absence. Void. And no one quite knows what to do. All that low-frequency, reticent power. Stalwart as a handful of dark roast coffee beans: quiet, cozy, warm, but with the right edge. Always the right edge.
There are a few things we know. We know of landmarks (the Space Needle), of a ruined city (Seattle), and of their prowling, militarized Wolves. We know now of a religious sect the Wolves seemingly massacred—for what reason? None that we know of. And, for Ellie and Dina? The only reason they can conceive with regards to Abby and her soldiers is soulless, absolutely-evil bloodlust.
Now that we’re a bit more aware of where we’re headed, I’m wondering if the series is about to hit us with a flashback episode. More on that below.
As far as notes on when to tune in for the second installment: HBO will release episodes of The Last of Us on Sundays at 9:00pm ET/6:00pm PT.
For story notes, read on.
The Last of Us story notes
We ended last week by asking: what do we think Ellie wants humanity to look like? Because, again, the reminder: Joel and Ellie forever was never the promise, nor the prize of The Last of Us. With Joel’s grisly exit, the writers have all the sudden zoomed out big-time on us. And it’s just fine to be feeling a little whiplash. Let’s talk through it.
I realized last week that the series has entered a bit of a The Walking Dead crossroads, likely, for many viewers. There was a time when that series—which I never finished—followed its source material in such a way that it began to globalize the universe, instead of just focus on the leading ensemble fellowship. I sometimes find it incredibly hard—especially in shows with stakes such as these, archers around every corner, etc.—to adjust my emotional state, broaden it such that I can welcome in new visitors like the poor fish-folk cult. It’s hard!
But—if I may? An earnest ask: Please trust Druckmann and Mazin. I know where this series is going. It does not get as meandering, nor arbitrary, nor kitchen-sinky, nor preachy, nor we-kill-off-characters-because-the-actors-have-other-scheduling-conflicts as The Walking Dead. What you saw last week is your true expositional introduction to Seattle’s landscape as it relates to humanity.
Because, again: this show is all about the endurance and survival and beauty of humanity amidst the ultimate horror. For now, though? It’s going to get a little busier.
What to expect going forward
Flashbacks! I’d bet many of you get your wishes—either tonight or by next Sunday—that we’ll get a Pedro-Pascal-led installment that might add some context to the tension between Ellie and Joel before Abby pushed her golf cart to one tee to start the morning’s round. These flashbacks—judging by the shots we’ve seen in trailers—are going to stay true to the source material as well. Which only matters in a material sense because I can assure you that they are beautiful, and devastating. We might also get a sense of just who Eugene was (Gail’s [Catherine O’Hara] husband, who Joel had to put down), why he had a gas station weed dispensary, and what made him just such an important member of the Jackson guard.
There’s also just as much a chance that the show turns its eye back to Abby, who, as of now—and by pure design, mind you—exists to us one-dimensionally as a villain. Notice the balance, there? That’s exactly how Joel must have seemed to her. Do we really think we’re not about to get flashbacks of Abby and her father? We will. I’m thrilled to watch Kaitlyn Dever continue to mop the floor with this role. Pedro Pascal called her a “little miracle.” Indeed she is, and in a very big way. And we’ll see why whenever we get a chance to learn more about her character make-up, as well as the faction to which she’s pledged her sword.
And, as a final note, let’s continue to celebrate Dina. The Last of Us isn’t a series that has really offered us romance or friendship, or any sort of strange blend of both, until now. There was, of course, Sam (RIP). But it was too early on for meaningful friendships to develop, then. The road was too fresh and untrodden. There were deaths to suffer.
But Dina is the engine of love in this show right now, and she’s using that propulsive force to aid Ellie in her revenge quest. There’s a discordance there, an imbalance that The Last of Us typically straightens out. Dina is using love to drive Ellie to act on hate. Surely that will not be the way the scales finish when this series ends.
Lots of questions as to what chapter we’ll see tonight. Plenty of directions they can head. I know it’s intimidating to start a new(ish) journey in a world that meant so much to us because of how familiar and safe it felt. But, once more: trust this story and its writers.
