The Last of Us is arguably one of the most impactful stories ever told in the video game format that rivals major Hollywood blockbusters. Director Neil Druckmann believed this story was worth retelling in a different format and teamed up with Craig Mazin and HBO to deliver a live-action adaptation which received universal praise from the gaming community and critics alike.
The first season was a massive triumph and proof that video game adaptations can thrive. At the same time, the first season covered the entirety of the first game, so it would make sense for the second season to cover the controversial sequel which is a major challenge for the cast and the showrunners. Here are a few story beats that the live-action adaptation of The Last of Us should include.
9. Abby’s Introduction in The Last of Us
There is no way to retell the story of The Last of Us Part 2 without Abby Anderson. Initially, most fans theorized that Laura Bailey would portray Anna after Naughty Dog released a visually stunning one featuring the character and a few others or a new ally for Joel and Ellie; they could not be more wrong.
Abby was a Firefly stationed at the Salt Lake Outpost, and more importantly, the daughter of the head surgeon. She built her body like a tank to fight her father’s killer fairly, and her introduction immediately gives the players a feeling of fear and distrust during the opening section on the outskirts of Jackson.
8. Joel and Ellie Taking a Field Trip to the Wyoming Museum
The gaming community was split about giving The Last of Us a sequel. Some fans believed the first game’s ending was perfect, while another faction believes there are more stories worth telling. Fortunately, the game developers of Naughty Dog justified their decision to create a sequel since the first game ended with Ellie believing in a lie that Joel crafted to keep her safe and alive.
Also, it wouldn’t hurt to see more of Troy Baker and Ashley Johnson being the perfect duo in the apocalypse. Druckmann found a way to do so with creative storytelling with flashbacks of Joel and Ellie’s lives after being welcomed to the Jackson community. The first flashback sequence reflected Joel’s caring and softer side towards Ellie a rare moment in a world devoid of love.
7. The Seraphites and WLF War
The world being overrun by the infected is not enough for some survivors since some choose to fight against one another rather than work together. In Seattle, two major warring factions are fighting for supremacy and territory. The WLF, also known as Wolves, is headed by Isaac Dixon and is said to have taken down the local FEDRA forces in the city and later paved the way for the Seraphites, a new cult led by a so-called Prophet that gained a massive following from lost souls in the apocalypse.
In Ellie’s pursuit of vengeance, she gets caught in the middle of the war and is forced to fight both sides simultaneously and defend herself from the infected nearby which leads to epic combat scenarios throughout her three-day journey in Seattle.
6. The Rat King
Despite how players feel about taking control of Abby for the second half of the game, this boss battle showcased her strength and determination. The Rat King can be considered one of the original infected and people didn’t know better then. After being trapped under a basement for 25 years, the gaming community has seen what years of evolution will look like if it is left unchecked through Abby’s eyes.
The live-action adaptation received some flack for the lack of infected and HBO could be saving this variant for future seasons since the second season will not cover the entirety of the second game.
5. Ellie’s Rampage in The Last of Us Part 2
Video games and live-action productions are two different mediums and it can be tricky to adapt certain concepts. The first season had its fair share of action sequences; however, it was massively toned down for obvious reasons such as budget and time constraints. The games did not shy away from the themes of violence and it plays an integral part in the sequel, especially in Ellie’s descent.
Throughout the story, Ellie shows her capability for great violence and essentially becomes a mass murderer regardless of factions as long as they stand in her way of reaching Abby. Countless WLF soldiers, Seraphites, and infected were wasted in her three-day campaign with the help of Dina and Jesse. Ellie resorted to torturing Nora for information and even murdered Owen and Mel in cold blood along with their unborn child.
4. Brother’s Keeper
While the teaser trailer did reveal new footage for the second season, some fans are worried that HBO may not follow the original introduction scene from the source material. The game opens with Joel confiding in his younger brother, Tommy, as he breaks down the events that transpired in the climax of Part 1 which ultimately led to the fall of the Fireflies to save Ellie’s life. Troy Baker and Jeffrey Pierce brought their A-game, highlighting Joel’s grit as he showed no remorse for what he did and Tommy’s initial confusion.
It was a perfect recap for returning players, and it appears that HBO might go in a different direction and have Pedro Pascal’s Joel confide in a new character played by Catherine O’Hara who seems to be the local therapist of the Jackson community. Nevertheless, the fans want to see more of Joel despite his limited screen time.
3. Jackson Horde
Abby somehow stumbled upon a massive horde amidst the blizzard and her best chance of surviving is to run. As capable as she is, Abby is ill-equipped to take on a horde with limited visibility and resources, especially on a snowy terrain. As she was fighting for dear life, two good samaritans saved her life from being eaten alive by a runner.
The Miller Brothers rescued Abby and fought alongside her long enough to find an exit. Players felt a rush of excitement as they saw Joel defending them and saw flashes of his prime version from the original game as a capable fighter. This section served as a tutorial for players with the new combat mechanics and this could be used in the show to make up for the lack of action sequences.
2. Ellie Discovers the Truth
The catalyst for The Last of Us Part 2 was Joel’s rampage in the Firefly hospital which led to the death of countless Firefly soldiers and Abby’s father who happens to be the head surgeon along with the hopes of a cure. The gaming community anticipated the moment Ellie finally discovered the truth of what happened and the developers set the bar high.
Naughty Dog brought Ellie back to Salt Lake City where Joel tracked her down and admitted the truth. Ashley Johnson and Troy Baker gave another stellar performance and the showrunners must include that moment in the second season.
1. Joel’s Death in The Last of Us
After countless theories, teasers, and leaks before the official release of the sequel four years ago on the PlayStation 4, Joel’s death rocked the gaming community down to the core and other players believed it was well-written, some fans immediately gave up on the game. Some fans were fortunate to avoid spoilers before the release and their reactions of rage and confusion are genuine and valid. At the time, fans did not know who Abby was or why her crew was pursuing Joel; however, it would make sense that this death would be a repercussion of what happened in the first game.
It may not be ideal; however, this moment perfectly sets the players in Ellie’s journey as they are now invested in this revenge quest. Some fans were caught off guard after the developers killed a beloved video game character in a brutal fashion which made sense in the grand scheme of things, especially with the world they belong in. Pedro Pascal is well aware of his character’s fate and fully supports the idea of staying true to the source material no matter the outcome.
Rouvin Josef Quirimit is a Content Writer, an avid gamer (on his PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch), and film enthusiast. He was fortunate to grow up with the Marvel Cinematic Universe and was enamored by the storytelling of a shared universe full of heart and spectacle. His love for movies led him to great single-player games and he intends to cover major franchises for years to come!
