The Last of Us Part 2: HBO's Ultimate Adaptation Plan
HBO's The Last of Us Part 2 adaptation has the potential to be a gamechanger With the right approach, it can tackle the main issues of the game and appeal to a wider audience
The success of HBO's The Last of Us TV adaptation has left fans eagerly anticipating the next season. While the first season introduced the franchise to a new audience, many may be unaware of the storyline in the second game.
This article contains spoilers for The Last of Us Part 2. With the upcoming season set to explore events from the game, HBO has a unique opportunity to showcase them in a way that is better suited for television. By following a clear blueprint, they can bring the events of Part 2 to life in an even more compelling way.
The Main Issues with The Last of Us Part 2
The Last of Us Part 2 has received critical acclaim, solidifying its place as one of the top games of the modern era. However, the game has sparked controversy due to its treatment of some of the franchise's most prominent characters, particularly Joel. Fans who had grown attached to Joel were outraged by his brutal murder in the game's opening act. Moreover, the player assuming control of Abby, Joel's killer, for a significant portion of the game only added fuel to the fire.
Abby's introduction to the game was undoubtedly brutal, making it difficult for some players to empathize with her. This plotline was one of the most prominent issues encountered by TLoU Part 2. However, some fans viewed this development as consistent with the franchise's overarching themes of an unforgiving and ruthless apocalypse and had no qualms with Abby's character arc. While Abby's actions are eventually justified, HBO's The Last of Us could take a different approach in its second season to avoid the same controversy seen in the game.
How HBO's The Last of Us Should Tackle Part 2
The future of The Last of Us series on HBO remains uncertain, with fans speculating on how the second season will handle the events of Part 2. Given the shocking nature of the game's storyline, some have suggested that a change of pace or sequencing may be necessary for the show to succeed. This is particularly true when it comes to the character of Joel, played by Pedro Pascal, who is a key draw for viewers. While Joel's death in the game is a pivotal moment, killing him off too soon in the show could risk alienating newer fans. Instead, the show could incorporate flashbacks to explore Joel's backstory and character development while still moving the story forward.
By portraying Abby's story first, HBO can allow fans to develop a pre-existing bond with her before introducing her to Ellie and Joel. This departure from the game's sequencing could make the fatal interaction between Joel and Abby more familiar to fans and occur much later in the show. While accuracy to source material has been a point of pride for HBO's The Last of Us, changing the sequencing of events could be necessary for the show's second season to maintain its star power without compromising fan reception of characters like Abby.
