The Last of Us Season 2: 10 Mind-Blowing Improvements That Will Leave You Speechless

WARNING: This article contains major SPOILERS for The Last of Us Part II game.

Summary

The second season of The Last of Us will offer viewers the opportunity to understand Abby's perspective and portray her as a more empathetic character. Additionally, the show is expected to delve into the backgrounds and complexities of the antagonists from The Last of Us Part II, thereby enhancing their depth and backstory.

The pacing of The Last of Us season 2 is anticipated to surpass that of the game, possibly dividing the narrative into two seasons for smoother progression and development. Despite the distant release of The Last of Us season 2, the upcoming installment of HBO's adaptation of the immensely popular game series is expected to enhance The Last of Us Part II in numerous aspects. Not only did the initial season of The Last of Us break the curse of video game adaptations, but it also established new benchmarks for translating a video game storyline onto the screen. Assuming the show remains faithful to its source material, The Last of Us season 2 will delve into some of the most controversial and divisive moments in recent video game history.

The story of The Last of Us season 2 is anticipated to align with that of the sequel, as season 1 concluded at the same point as the first game. The Last of Us Part II takes place five years after the events of the initial game, incorporating essential flashbacks. The series will enhance various aspects, such as Abby's character development and the portrayal of Joel's death.

8 Abby Will Be More Sympathetic In The Last Of Us Season 2

Due to the ensemble nature of The Last of Us season 2, it is expected that each main character will receive more focus compared to the game. In the game, players can only see the perspective of the character they control, mainly Ellie in The Last of Us Part II. However, The Last of Us Part II does provide moments where players can understand the story from Abby's perspective, but Ellie remains the primary protagonist. The Last of Us season 2 has the opportunity to explore Abby's point of view throughout the entire series.

This may involve dedicating entire episodes to the controversial character of Abby or incorporating her in a few brief appearances from time to time. Ultimately, the goal may be to make Abby more sympathetic in The Last of Us season 2. The central themes of the sequel revolve around questioning whether Abby was justified in her actions and how Ellie might have responded differently in the same circumstances. Abby's storyline in The Last of Us Part II was met with mixed reactions, and the show has the chance to delve deeper into it and potentially enhance it by giving Abby significant screen time.

7 The Last Of Us Season 2's Villains Will Be More Fleshed-Out

The Last of Us Part II revolves around the introduction of numerous fresh characters, ranging from loyal allies to formidable adversaries. In The Last of Us, the interpretation of villains can be intricate, particularly given how Part II examined the concept of different perspectives. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that some of the primary antagonists in The Last of Us Part II lack thorough development, largely serving as hurdles for Ellie and a means to test her moral compass. Notably, the most grim and intense moments for Ellie in The Last of Us Part II occur during her relentless quest for vengeance against those responsible for Joel's demise. Therefore, expanding upon the backgrounds and depth of these villains becomes exceedingly crucial in the second season.

6 Joel’s Death Will Be Better Handled In The Last Of Us Season 2

The death of Joel in The Last of Us Part II has become one of the most controversial moments in recent gaming history. After a nearly decade-long wait, players were reunited with Joel and Ellie, only for Joel to meet his demise within the first few minutes of the sequel. The Last of Us Part II thrusts players into a complex narrative, where Ellie and Joel's relationship is strained. Although much of the context is unveiled through flashbacks, Joel's brutal murder takes place before the story truly unfolds. While it is important for The Last of Us season 2 to acknowledge Joel's death, there is room for improvement.

One possibility is to restructure the storytelling of Part II's initial portion and eliminate the need for flashbacks. With Pedro Pascal's rise to becoming one of the biggest stars in the world, season 2 is likely to have a longer run. While Joel's death by Abby can remain unchanged, the lead-up to it can be modified to prevent potential backlash, spanning a couple of episodes. Even if season 2 begins with Joel's death right away, the show can still incorporate flashbacks in a different manner than the game did, potentially showcasing more poignant moments between Joel and Ellie.

5 The Last Of Us Season 2 Will Have Better Pacing Than The Game

The pacing of The Last of Us Part II received significant criticism. While the first game told a straightforward, linear story, Part II expanded the scope and scale of Ellie's journey. Suddenly, multiple characters and factions became involved in a complex narrative filled with flashbacks and twists. The Last of Us Part II encompasses so much content that it could have been split into two separate games. To address this, The Last of Us season 2 has the opportunity to rework the pacing of the sequel, ultimately improving it by taking into account the feedback from the first game.

4 The Last Of Us Part II’s Story Can Be Split Into Two Seasons

Perhaps the most effective way to enhance the narrative of The Last of Us Part II in its television adaptation is to divide it into two separate seasons. The showrunners of The Last of Us have openly expressed their intentions for the series to extend beyond season 2, strongly hinting that the entirety of Part II's events cannot be adequately depicted within a single season. While condensing the first game into nine episodes proved to be highly successful, even a ten-episode season would prove insufficient for season 2. Assuming The Last of Us season 3 comes to fruition and encompasses the latter half of the game, the show is poised to achieve improved pacing compared to Part II.

3 Ellie’s Darkest Moments Will Hit Harder In The Last Of Us Season 2

The depths of Ellie's despair in season 1 of The Last of Us pale in comparison to what awaits her in the next chapter. After hinting at Ellie's capacity for violence in the first game, Part II takes it to a whole new level as she embarks on a relentless quest for vengeance. By mercilessly taking the lives of those responsible for Joel's death, Ellie demonstrates her unwavering determination. Yet, when players control Ellie in the game, she always remains the hero of her own story. In the show, however, viewers will simply witness Ellie's harrowing transformation, allowing season 2 to spotlight the immense changes she undergoes following Joel's demise.

2 The Last Of Us Season 2 Can Confirm Joel Is Not A Hero

Whether or not Joel made the right choice in saving Ellie is a question that will forever remain unresolved. His pivotal decision at the conclusion of the first game, expertly captured in the ending of The Last of Us season 1, shaped the narrative and established the foundation for Part II. While Joel's refusal to hand over Ellie to the Fireflies and his divisive actions imply that he is not a conventional hero, these aspects are often overlooked due to the majority of gameplay focusing on Joel. The inclusion of Joel's flaws in The Last of Us season 2 could potentially enhance Abby's storyline.

1 The Last Of Us Season 2 Has The Advantage Of Releasing Years After The Game

The release date for The Last of Us season 2 has not been announced yet, and with filming yet to commence, it will be some time before we see the continuation of Ellie and Joel's story. When The Last of Us season 2 finally premieres, it will have been approximately five years or even longer since the release of The Last of Us Part II. The divisive moments from Part II have already been extensively debated and discussed over the years, leaving little room for new controversies. On the contrary, The Last of Us season 2 has the opportunity to play with the audience's expectations surrounding the biggest and most significant moments from the game.