After an almost perfect adaptation during season 1, HBO has finally released the trailer for the second season of The Last of Us series.
Set to Future Days by Pearl Jam, the trailer brings back Pedro Pascal as Joel and Bella Ramsey as Ellie, but the big reveal is Kaitlyn Denver’s portrayal of Abby.
The second season of The Last of Us is expected to draw heavy inspiration from The Last of Us Part II, but it is not a 1:1 adaptation.
The trailer opens with Joel enjoying an awkward post-apocalyptic therapy session as you normally do, with an unnamed therapist played by none other than Catherine O’Hara.
There is a semblance of civilisation once more in the shape of a small town that could almost pass for the good old days if you close your eyes.
Joel stays quiet despite having enough trauma for a thousand sessions, but the trailer does the talking for him.
We get our first look at Abby, running from a horde of the infected rushing through the snow. Infected masses, just like in the game, are a recurring theme in the trailer.
The Seraphites back in Seattle make an appearance, and it looks like HBO will not be pulling punches with the brutality of the cult.
On a lighter note, the trailer shows Dina’s lovestruck glance at Ellie while she plays the guitar, giving the kind of warmth you will need to weather what is likely to be a cold, heavy season.
“What Did You Do?”
Fans are left asking the same question the therapist asked Joel after news that this next season may stray from the game.
The first season of The Last of Us is widely considered one of the most remarkable videogame adaptations ever made.
Gaming adaptations are tricky: while HBO hit similar highs earlier this year with Fallout, Showtime’s attempt at a Halo series has disappointed in every possible way.
The Last of Us screen debut in 2023 was not afraid to make stylistic changes or add new characters as needed, but these deviations from the game were calculated and executed to perfection.
Creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann have yet to give players a reason to worry, but the new subject matter is tricky considering that The Last of Us Part II has created a community schism that is yet to heal.
A cure for this anxiety will come in 2025 when the second season of The Last of Us comes out on HBO Max. Until then, why not play any of the remakes and remasters to pass the time?
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