May 26th 2025.
The second season of The Last Of Us has been a rollercoaster of emotions, with both highs and lows. However, its shortcomings have brought to light the unique storytelling capabilities of video games compared to TV shows. As a fan of the source material, I initially celebrated the changes made in the first episode. It was a refreshing departure from the first season, offering fans more than just live action novelty. Questions arose about how the story would unfold with Abby's early reveal of her motivation, the significance of new characters like Gail, and the unexpected twist of Joel being the one to kill Eugene.
But as the rushed finale approached, my excitement turned into a classic "monkey's paw" situation. While there were positive changes, there were also odd and unsatisfying choices that left me questioning if this story simply worked better as a video game. Let's start with the positives, such as Bella Ramsey's impressive portrayal of an older and more intimidating Ellie. Her scene of torturing Nora was the most effective and harrowing of the season. And while there were some concerns about Ellie's appearance not fully reflecting her age, her descent into darkness was portrayed effectively.
Kaitlyn Dever also made a big impression as Abby, despite having little screen time. Young Mazino's Jesse served as a great mirror to Ellie's warped sense of morality. But there were difficulties in portraying this aspect of Ellie, and the changes made in the HBO adaptation ranged from positive to perplexing. For example, the decision to have pregnant Mel's death be an accidental casualty instead of a venomous stab to the throat helped make Ellie less of an irredeemable monster. However, this alteration also undercut the show's attempt at keeping the audience on Ellie's side.
One of the pivotal flashbacks between Joel and Ellie, which comes at the end of the game, was pushed to an earlier spot. This choice had its own issues, as it left the show with no big twists left to reveal. And the changes made to Joel's character, painting him as someone who lied to Ellie again and killed Eugene, also took away some of the nuance from the story. As a result, the prospect of the next season being focused on Abby's story isn't as enticing as it initially seemed.
The length of The Last Of Us Part 2 may have undermined some of its qualities, but it still stands as an example of the unique storytelling that video games offer. Playing as Joel for hours before his death made the impact of his death hit even harder, and the themes of cyclical violence strike a stronger chord when you're the one pulling the trigger. The perspective shift to Abby's side also forces players into uncomfortable positions, making the fights between Ellie and Abby all the more unsettling.
In comparison, a TV adaptation cannot replicate these strengths as effectively. It may offer a different experience, but it lacks the interactive qualities that make the game so powerful. And based on this season, the only thing the TV show can offer is the novelty of live action. But as a fan of the source material, I still have hope for the future of the show. And while the changes made in this season may have lessened some of the impact, it still serves as a reminder of the benefits of video game storytelling.
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