In my previous review of Season 1 of HBO's The Last of Us, I assigned it a grade of A-minus, praising its ability to rejuvenate the zombie genre. However, I must confess that I never fully completed the first season. Recently, I revisited the show to gear up for the much-anticipated Season 2, and it became clear why I had paused: the series is immensely challenging to watch. While no zombie show offers a light-hearted experience, The Last of Us stands out for its intense graphic violence and overwhelmingly bleak outlook on humanity.
As I mentioned in my original review, I advise against binge-watching more than one episode at a time. The profound emotional weight of the series continues to resonate. Despite its difficulty, Season 2, premiering this Sunday at 9/8c, maintains its reputation as an exceptionally crafted zombie thriller. I've had the chance to view four of the seven episodes, and the narrative successfully evolves, adding new layers of emotional depth. Nevertheless, it proves to be even more difficult to endure than the first season, especially with a particularly harsh twist that fans should brace themselves for.
Season 2 of The Last of Us picks up five years after the events of the first season. Survivors Joel (played by Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (portrayed by Bella Ramsey) have managed to carve out a semblance of normalcy within a community known as Jackson—a well-organized mountain town that offers them a brief respite from the chaos of the zombie apocalypse. Although the clickers lurk at a safe distance, the looming threat of humanity becomes more pronounced.
However, tranquility is fleeting. Soon, Joel and Ellie find themselves back in a fight for survival as they strive to protect their newfound peace from descending into chaos once again. The action sequences in Season 2 are chillingly effective, featuring nightmarish scenes such as a horde of clickers emerging from a snowbank and rushing down a hill, as well as large-scale assaults that rival the epic battles seen in Game of Thrones.
At times, I can't shake the feeling that The Last of Us treads familiar territory, echoing some of the storytelling pitfalls found in The Walking Dead. The town of Jackson bears a striking resemblance to TWD’s Woodbury, and as characters achieve a level of safety, they often make questionable decisions that lead them into perilous situations. However, the superior writing and performances in The Last of Us elevate it beyond anything that The Walking Dead ever accomplished.
As I mentioned earlier, there is a twist in Season 2 that I can't delve into too deeply, but it is one that fans of the original video game series may anticipate. This twist has sparked division among the gaming community, and it’s easy to understand why. It transforms the show into a profound exploration of the toxic nature of revenge, which may leave some viewers with a lingering sense of discomfort.
The persistent cloud of sorrow that envelops The Last of Us continues to grow, with Season 2 introducing several shocking torture scenes that are sure to test viewers’ limits. While fleeting moments of beauty emerge amid the violence, they are tragically short-lived. Ellie has matured significantly since we last saw her, allowing Bella Ramsey to explore a broader emotional range in her performance.
Season 2 also welcomes new cast members who add freshness to the narrative. Isabela Merced shines as Ellie’s new friend Dina, bringing a playful energy to the show, while TV veterans Catherine O'Hara and Jeffrey Wright make notable contributions. The standout performance, however, belongs to Kaitlyn Dever, who consistently elevates every project she takes on. After her compelling turn as a fraudulent wellness guru in Netflix's Apple Cider Vinegar, she now plays Abby, a character driven by a thirst for vengeance against Joel for his past actions.
The Last of Us masterfully confronts the consequences of violence, compelling viewers to grapple with its implications—no matter how painful that may be. Sustaining a zombie show is a formidable challenge; it either risks becoming repetitive with constant zombie attacks or drifts away from that formula entirely. Season 2 of The Last of Us strives to advance the narrative in innovative ways, though it doesn't always hit the mark. The deep sadness that permeates the series remains a cornerstone of its identity.
While I admire the craftsmanship that goes into creating The Last of Us, I hope readers will understand if I take some time to recover before diving into the remainder of Season 2. The emotional toll of this series is significant, but its storytelling prowess is undeniable.
