How Season 2 of 'The Last of Us' Deviates from the Game

We're only one episode into season two of The Last Of Us, and people are already talking about how it changes some of the game at its start. As someone who watched his roommate play both games obsessively, I am excited by this notion because I like the idea of not knowing what's coming, or at least the potential for surprises. Showrunners Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann have hinted that Season 2 might feature more significant deviations from the source material compared to its predecessor. Season one, I thought, might be the best video game adaptation of all time because it honored the story but was able to remove the gameplay aspect and instead take you on an emotional character journey you could feel without actually playing in the world. But let's be real, while the first season had its changes—most notably the universally acclaimed expansion of Bill and Frank's story—the overall structure remained very close to the game's path.And during the hiatus, we got a lot of news suggesting season two would kind of feel the same. Major castings like Kaitlyn Dever (Abby), Isabela Merced (Dina), and Young Mazino (Jesse) brought iconic game characters to life. The big news out of the first episode was that Catherine O'Hara stepped into the shoes of an entirely original character created specifically for the series. Catherine O'Hara in 'The Last of Us'Credit: HBOShe's playing a therapist named Gail, and we learn that Pedro Pascal's character killed her husband, and she resents him. I love how that creates a very complex situation in the survivor's camp. And I love how this move instantly signals that we'll be exploring storylines and meeting individuals not present in the game. It's a clear indicator that Mazin and Druckmann aren't just translating scenes; they're actively adding to the world and narrative where they feel it enhances the story for viewers.We also started this episode in Salt Lake City, which the second game does not do. We get a lot of backstory and tension before we jump to Jackson, four years in the future, which is how the game starts. This is another deviation, but again, changes that benefit the show and do not overly rely on the game as the bible for the story. It gives the opening scene and the season an engine. In that opening, we meet Abby and learn that she's hunting Joel. It gives us this sense of doom hanging over the story, that in the game, we didn't get until much later. Again, this is all just in the first episode. There's more to come, and more to explore. We'll keep you updated as we dive deeper into this world.

Apr 14, 2025 - 20:22

How Season 2 of 'The Last of Us' Deviates from the Game

We're only one episode into season two of The Last Of Us, and people are already talking about how it changes some of the game at its start.

As someone who watched his roommate play both games obsessively, I am excited by this notion because I like the idea of not knowing what's coming, or at least the potential for surprises.

Showrunners Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann have hinted that Season 2 might feature more significant deviations from the source material compared to its predecessor.

Season one, I thought, might be the best video game adaptation of all time because it honored the story but was able to remove the gameplay aspect and instead take you on an emotional character journey you could feel without actually playing in the world.

But let's be real, while the first season had its changes—most notably the universally acclaimed expansion of Bill and Frank's story—the overall structure remained very close to the game's path.

And during the hiatus, we got a lot of news suggesting season two would kind of feel the same. Major castings like Kaitlyn Dever (Abby), Isabela Merced (Dina), and Young Mazino (Jesse) brought iconic game characters to life.

The big news out of the first episode was that Catherine O'Hara stepped into the shoes of an entirely original character created specifically for the series.

How Season 2 of 'The Last of Us' Deviates from the Game Catherine O'Hara in 'The Last of Us'Credit: HBO

She's playing a therapist named Gail, and we learn that Pedro Pascal's character killed her husband, and she resents him.

I love how that creates a very complex situation in the survivor's camp.

And I love how this move instantly signals that we'll be exploring storylines and meeting individuals not present in the game.

It's a clear indicator that Mazin and Druckmann aren't just translating scenes; they're actively adding to the world and narrative where they feel it enhances the story for viewers.

We also started this episode in Salt Lake City, which the second game does not do. We get a lot of backstory and tension before we jump to Jackson, four years in the future, which is how the game starts.

This is another deviation, but again, changes that benefit the show and do not overly rely on the game as the bible for the story.

It gives the opening scene and the season an engine. In that opening, we meet Abby and learn that she's hunting Joel.

It gives us this sense of doom hanging over the story, that in the game, we didn't get until much later.

Again, this is all just in the first episode. There's more to come, and more to explore.

We'll keep you updated as we dive deeper into this world.