The Last of Us S2 E01 review: Strained relationship, revenge and a new threat on the rise!

Setting the stage for a season that explores deep human emotions while grappling with a looming threat, the first episode of The Last of Us Season 2 is able to grab our attention. 

In a show set in an apocalyptic world, The Last of Us effectively focuses on individual stories and the collective emotions that drive characters to make difficult decisions in the face of a larger crisis. Though the presence of clickers creates tension and fear of the inevitable, we are reminded that the rational choices of human beings are even more terrifying. The show, created by Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, avoids clear-cut definitions of right and wrong, keeping viewers engaged with its complex character arcs that blur the lines between good and evil. It's one of these decisions by Joel that sets the stage for The Last of Us Season 2 episode one.

Picking up right where it left off in season one, episode one of S2 beautifully transitions into the future, showcasing how both of our main characters, Joel and Ellie, have matured over the years. The two have embraced their life in a civil society, following community rules and working together to build a better life for survivors. Despite how calm and normal their lives are, there is a growing sense of tension and stress between the two. Since we watched the two bond over their shared experience of losing trust and people, this season focuses on how they will address the elephant in the room before they drift apart in the face of an even bigger war.

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Joel, now 50 years old, has adapted to life in Jackson, Wyoming. He is no longer the ruthless soldier who moved through the world taking lives; instead he has taken on the role of a concerned father to 19-year-old Ellie. Haunted by his past choices, Joel is trying to be a father to a daughter as someone who never got to truly experience it fully before. As someone who was once calcified to emotions and building relations, he managed to find his peace in Ellie. While they have ended with a safer life, he is still living under the weight of his secrets, choosing to define his own version of the truth. Pedro Pascal has become synonymous with Joel, portraying a man shaped by his choices and a war that threatens the people he loves. He definitely ticks all the boxes required to play a very dejected person like Joel, including being 'handsome' as Abby said.

If there's one lesson the show has taught us, it's to avoid getting too attached to any character, as their fate can be unpredictable. Just like the previous season, this season features several popular and fan-favorite characters, including Abby, who already seems like someone we’re eager to learn more about. Abby has always sparked debates among video game fans due to her actions and choices throughout the game. With her transition to the show, it will be fascinating to see how her character evolves, especially as Joel grapples with his own inner demons while trying to reconnect with Ellie before encountering Abby. By adding her own elements into the character, Kaitlyn Dever has added curiosity to uncovering how she plays out in the upcoming episodes.

While Abby yearns to get her revenge, Bella Ramsey's Ellie has matured into a badass teenager who has come to terms with how the world is, making her way through. Hinting to know Joel's lies and yet choosing to not confront the same with him, she is navigating to find her footing away from his shadows. While Joel has decided to deal with his issues by going to therapy, Ellie is all about jumping head first into danger, without fearing for what could be. Even when she is trying to deal with her doubts about Joel and having to keep her 'big secret', she has also managed to find love and friendships. Acting like the teenager she is, her dynamic with Dina (Isabela Merced), who adds the heart to the show, feels like hope in a world that has a more advanced threat to deal with. Unlike other characters, Gail (Catherine O'Hara) is an original character who is here to help Joel with his issues. Although a therapist, she is here to give him a check on reality as it is, making for another interesting way for us to know how Joel will be dealing with his failing relationship with Ellie. 

The mutated cordyceps are no longer the only threat; we now face 'the Stalker,' a new type of infected that thinks and acts like a human, unlike previous variations. While the remaining Fireflies, led by Abby, seek revenge, the people of Jackson are working to utilize their resources and create space for more individuals. The first episode focuses on building relationships while highlighting the looming threat posed by this new evolution of cordyceps. It sets the stage for what promises to be a thrilling journey filled with adventure and emotional depth.

The Last of Us Season 2 is currently streaming on JioHotstar! 

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