The highly anticipated second season of HBO’s The Last of Us has finally arrived, promising more of the beautiful ruins, shocking violence, and baroque mushroom monsters that fans have come to expect from the hit series. However, when it comes to the ideas that were supposed to make the show more than just a video-game adaptation, the pivotal moment occurs in a council meeting in Jackson, Wyoming.
During the debate on how to respond to an attack on their community, one resident objects to risking lives to avenge deaths. This conversation highlights the central theme of self vs. society that the show has been exploring throughout its first season. The show’s creator, Craig Mazin, had promised to delve deeper into this idea, but in Season 2, it remains a recurring question.
The new season opens with Joel (Pedro Pascal) telling lies about his encounter with Ellie and the Fireflies, setting the tone for Abby’s (Kaitlyn Dever) quest for revenge. Meanwhile, Joel and Ellie are struggling to reconnect after their complicated past. The show introduces new characters like Dina (Isabela Merced), who is trying to find her place in the settlement.
However, beyond these interpersonal dramas, the season focuses on a conflict between two militant groups led by Isaac Dixon (Jeffrey Wright). Questions of justice and vengeance emerge, but it feels like the creators are not fully invested in exploring these themes. The show’s reliance on extended zombie-battle scenes and long, silent sequences takes away from the depth that fans were hoping for.
While the performances are excellent and the production design is astounding, the attenuated plot restricts the visual inventiveness somewhat. The season feels insubstantial compared to its predecessor, which was more than just a partial adaptation of the original game. With only seven episodes, the story feels stretched too thin, and the development of new characters is minimal.
Ultimately, The Last of Us Season 2 falls short on depth, but it remains an excellent video-game adaptation with strong performances and production design. However, to pretend that it completely transcends its original medium would be to ignore the holes in the storytelling and character development that need to be addressed.
Source: https://time.com/7273394/the-last-of-us-season-2-review-hbo