The Best And Worst Changes In The Last Of Us Season 2 (So Far)
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VOICE OVER: Rebecca Brayton
From expanding Jackson's community to controversial character changes, we're breaking down the most significant adaptational differences in HBO's latest season. Which changes enhanced the story, and which ones missed the mark? Join us as we analyze the creative decisions that are dividing fans. We'll explore everything from Tommy's altered role and the epic Battle of Jackson to Ellie's controversial characterization and the new narrative structure. Whether you're a fan of the games or new to the series, these changes have sparked intense debate in the community!
The Best and Worst Changes In The Last of Us Season 2 So Far
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today were looking at the best and worst changes made from game to show throughout The Last of Us season 2 so far.
One of the coolest things that the show has done is expand the role of Jackson and make it feel more like a civilized settlement. The opening episode is particularly good at this. We see the politics of Jackson at work, with Joel at his cute little desk working as the citys contractor and taking orders from Maria. Various characters also get expanded roles, including Jesse and Dina, who in the show has a trusting relationship with Joel. And of course theres the city council, who we see voting on matters like Ellie leaving town to pursue Abby. The game doesnt really delve into these democratic, sociopolitical details, so its fun to see the towns day-to-day operations in the show.
One of the biggest divergences the show has made from the game is through its characterization of Tommy. In the game, Tommy is much like Ellie, fueled by an insatiable need for revenge, even setting out by himself to track down those responsible. His personal journey serves as physical and emotional breadcrumbs, with Ellie and Dina coming across signs of his violent destruction. In the show, Tommy seems defeated rather than angry, a broken man who is not encouraging Ellies desire for revenge, let alone participating in it. Its a very odd divergence from the source material, and some fans have not been happy. However, its very possible that hell have a change of heart and show up later in the season.
As much as people dont like Tommys absence from Seattle, they do appreciate his expanded role in Jackson. Tommy is clearly in a position of authority in the show, serving on the town council and taking lead during the attack on Jackson. Casual TV viewers and game fans alike enjoyed this more commanding characterization - and come on, how awesome was it when he took down a Bloater by himself with a flamethrower? This is quite different from the game, where Tommy has a more passive role. Hes very skilled on patrol and has a key role in defending Jackson from the surrounding infected, but hes hardly the town leader that he is in the show.
The shows tone is a far cry from the games, and not in a good way. This is most evident in Ellie and Dinas journey through Seattle, which in the game is marked by grit, grief, and lots of unresolved PTSD. Ellie reacts with horror to Dinas pregnancy, seeing her as a liability and a hindrance in her quest for revenge. In contrast, the show portrays their relationship like a budding CW romance - filled with lovey-dovey dialogue and cute glances. Ellies reaction to the pregnancy is also greatly softened, taking a more positive spin that many fans feel undermines her trauma and obsession. Sometimes we forget that theyre in Seattle to, you know, murder someone.
Many players of the game didnt buy Joels death, believing that he would never reveal his true name to a group of strangers. They argue that Joel openly revealing his real name was wildly out of character for someone so smart and cautious, and they cant buy that a very stupid mistake ultimately got him killed. Its possible that the show writers took this criticism to heart, as they nicely changed it for the show. Instead of Joel himself, its Dina who accidentally reveals the truth to Abby by screaming out his name in a moment of panic. Its a great change, and Kaitlyn Dever sells the reveal exceptionally well.
Dont get us wrong - Catherine OHara slays, and we welcome her presence in The Last of Us. In anything, really. We just wish that her talents werent wasted on Gail. Gail is an original character, and there are no therapists in the game. And while OHara does what she can with the material, many feel that Gail is simply there for exposition. The show takes a very tell dont show approach, with characters often clunkily expressing how theyre feeling. This is a problem with therapist characters in general, but other shows and movies get around that with more subtle writing. The shows critics believe that it does not have that subtlety - indeed, that it is often quite sloppy in revealing character motivations and psychology.
HBO loves, shall we say, showing off. Enter the Battle of Jackson, a wonderful sequence that is entirely new to the show. Of course, epic set pieces like this are always welcome in genre shows - especially on the heels of season one, which some criticized for its lack of zombie scenes. This certainly made up for that! It also works nicely through a storytelling perspective. By playing concurrently with Joels situation, the battle keeps the pace of the episode flying. Similarly, it downplays the severity of Joels death and keeps Ellie segregated from the town. For many, Joel was just another casualty on that fateful day, and pursuing justice is simply not worth it - especially when they need to focus on rebuilding.
The biggest problem that the show is having right now is its characterization of Ellie. Many fans of the game hate what the show is doing to her, and its starting to hinder their enjoyment. Ellie is supposed to be on the verge of a nervous breakdown, riddled with PTSD, trauma, and an insatiable desire for revenge. Video game Ellie is a broken powderkeg of a woman. But there is nothing of the sort in the show. Ellie is still the same wise-cracking kid that she was in season one, with virtually none of game Ellies maturity or grief. Her and Dina are taking this Seattle quest so casually they may as well be on a girls road trip.
Its only fitting that we end on a bit of an ambiguous note. The storys entire structure has been rearranged, and the reception has been decidedly mixed. The game does not reveal Abbys motivation until after she kills Joel, and then her side of the story is played out through flashbacks. For players, some random woman just killed their favorite character. Meanwhile, the show immediately lays out Abbys motivation and plays her side concurrently with the main storyline. Some dont like the change, admiring the games bolder narrative choice and unique flashback structure. Others do like it, arguing that it streamlines the narrative, cleans up a messy pace, and makes Joels death less out of nowhere. Damned if you do, damned if you dont.
What do you make of these changes? Let us know in the comments below!
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today were looking at the best and worst changes made from game to show throughout The Last of Us season 2 so far.
Best
Expanding JacksonOne of the coolest things that the show has done is expand the role of Jackson and make it feel more like a civilized settlement. The opening episode is particularly good at this. We see the politics of Jackson at work, with Joel at his cute little desk working as the citys contractor and taking orders from Maria. Various characters also get expanded roles, including Jesse and Dina, who in the show has a trusting relationship with Joel. And of course theres the city council, who we see voting on matters like Ellie leaving town to pursue Abby. The game doesnt really delve into these democratic, sociopolitical details, so its fun to see the towns day-to-day operations in the show.
Worst
No Tommy (Yet)One of the biggest divergences the show has made from the game is through its characterization of Tommy. In the game, Tommy is much like Ellie, fueled by an insatiable need for revenge, even setting out by himself to track down those responsible. His personal journey serves as physical and emotional breadcrumbs, with Ellie and Dina coming across signs of his violent destruction. In the show, Tommy seems defeated rather than angry, a broken man who is not encouraging Ellies desire for revenge, let alone participating in it. Its a very odd divergence from the source material, and some fans have not been happy. However, its very possible that hell have a change of heart and show up later in the season.
Best
Tommys Leadership RoleAs much as people dont like Tommys absence from Seattle, they do appreciate his expanded role in Jackson. Tommy is clearly in a position of authority in the show, serving on the town council and taking lead during the attack on Jackson. Casual TV viewers and game fans alike enjoyed this more commanding characterization - and come on, how awesome was it when he took down a Bloater by himself with a flamethrower? This is quite different from the game, where Tommy has a more passive role. Hes very skilled on patrol and has a key role in defending Jackson from the surrounding infected, but hes hardly the town leader that he is in the show.
Worst
Ellie & Dina In SeattleThe shows tone is a far cry from the games, and not in a good way. This is most evident in Ellie and Dinas journey through Seattle, which in the game is marked by grit, grief, and lots of unresolved PTSD. Ellie reacts with horror to Dinas pregnancy, seeing her as a liability and a hindrance in her quest for revenge. In contrast, the show portrays their relationship like a budding CW romance - filled with lovey-dovey dialogue and cute glances. Ellies reaction to the pregnancy is also greatly softened, taking a more positive spin that many fans feel undermines her trauma and obsession. Sometimes we forget that theyre in Seattle to, you know, murder someone.
Best
Dina Revealing JoelMany players of the game didnt buy Joels death, believing that he would never reveal his true name to a group of strangers. They argue that Joel openly revealing his real name was wildly out of character for someone so smart and cautious, and they cant buy that a very stupid mistake ultimately got him killed. Its possible that the show writers took this criticism to heart, as they nicely changed it for the show. Instead of Joel himself, its Dina who accidentally reveals the truth to Abby by screaming out his name in a moment of panic. Its a great change, and Kaitlyn Dever sells the reveal exceptionally well.
Worst
GailDont get us wrong - Catherine OHara slays, and we welcome her presence in The Last of Us. In anything, really. We just wish that her talents werent wasted on Gail. Gail is an original character, and there are no therapists in the game. And while OHara does what she can with the material, many feel that Gail is simply there for exposition. The show takes a very tell dont show approach, with characters often clunkily expressing how theyre feeling. This is a problem with therapist characters in general, but other shows and movies get around that with more subtle writing. The shows critics believe that it does not have that subtlety - indeed, that it is often quite sloppy in revealing character motivations and psychology.
Best
The Battle of JacksonHBO loves, shall we say, showing off. Enter the Battle of Jackson, a wonderful sequence that is entirely new to the show. Of course, epic set pieces like this are always welcome in genre shows - especially on the heels of season one, which some criticized for its lack of zombie scenes. This certainly made up for that! It also works nicely through a storytelling perspective. By playing concurrently with Joels situation, the battle keeps the pace of the episode flying. Similarly, it downplays the severity of Joels death and keeps Ellie segregated from the town. For many, Joel was just another casualty on that fateful day, and pursuing justice is simply not worth it - especially when they need to focus on rebuilding.
Worst
Ellie Is Out of CharacterThe biggest problem that the show is having right now is its characterization of Ellie. Many fans of the game hate what the show is doing to her, and its starting to hinder their enjoyment. Ellie is supposed to be on the verge of a nervous breakdown, riddled with PTSD, trauma, and an insatiable desire for revenge. Video game Ellie is a broken powderkeg of a woman. But there is nothing of the sort in the show. Ellie is still the same wise-cracking kid that she was in season one, with virtually none of game Ellies maturity or grief. Her and Dina are taking this Seattle quest so casually they may as well be on a girls road trip.
Mixed
Restructuring the NarrativeIts only fitting that we end on a bit of an ambiguous note. The storys entire structure has been rearranged, and the reception has been decidedly mixed. The game does not reveal Abbys motivation until after she kills Joel, and then her side of the story is played out through flashbacks. For players, some random woman just killed their favorite character. Meanwhile, the show immediately lays out Abbys motivation and plays her side concurrently with the main storyline. Some dont like the change, admiring the games bolder narrative choice and unique flashback structure. Others do like it, arguing that it streamlines the narrative, cleans up a messy pace, and makes Joels death less out of nowhere. Damned if you do, damned if you dont.
What do you make of these changes? Let us know in the comments below!
