The Last of Us Season 2: Unveiling the Epic Anthem That Surpasses Joel's Melody for Ellie
The Last of Us Season 2's Song Replacement: Why Joel's Choice of Music Matters and the Impact of Changing the Song's Meaning
Summary
The Last of Us season 2 may not be able to use the song Joel plays for Ellie in the game, but the show can replace it with another perfect track.
The change in the timeline of The Last of Us TV series does not impact the storyline directly, but it does hinder the show's ability to stay loyal to the game's music selections.
To maintain a sense of familiarity and nostalgia among viewers, the show can incorporate alternative tracks by Pearl Jam, such as "Alive," to replace "Future Days."
Content reflects the current state of events in The Last of Us season 2, where the show may not be able to use the song Joel plays for Ellie in the game. However, they have the opportunity to choose another perfect track to replace it. Breaking the common curse of adapting video games, HBO's The Last of Us offers a unique and visually stunning take on the post-apocalyptic genre, with a deep narrative. In the first season, viewers are taken on a journey with Ellie and Joel, witnessing the development of an unbreakable father-daughter bond built on trust, hope, and love. The success of The Last of Us lies in its ability to stay true to the essence of the source material, while also making necessary changes to suit the television format. From the soundtracks to the costume designs, the show adopts all of it for season 1. Fans can expect something similar in season 2, although the song played by Joel for Ellie may need to be replaced.
Why Joel Can't Play Pearl Jam's "Future Days" In The Last Of Us Season 2
The original The Last of Us game takes place in 2013, during the outbreak year of the Cordyceps brain infection. The game begins with Joel's devastating loss of his daughter and then jumps forward to 2033 to continue the main story. However, HBO's The Last of Us TV adaptation takes a different approach. The opening arc of the show unfolds in 2003, a decade before the events of the game, and then jumps to 2023 to follow the main storyline where Joel meets Ellie. While this change in the television timeline doesn't directly impact the narrative of the live-action adaptation, it does prevent the show from being faithful to the music choices in the game.
One particular song, Pearl Jam's "Future Days," holds significance in the canon of The Last of Us game. In Part II, Joel plays this song for Ellie, and it resonates with the underlying themes of the franchise. The lead singer of Pearl Jam, Eddie Vedder, wrote "Future Days" as a reflection on mortality after losing his friend. However, since the song was released in 2013, it wouldn't make sense for the show to feature it in 2003 when the outbreak occurred. Nevertheless, as The Last of Us is a work of fiction, there is the possibility of "retconning" real-world events and including the song in the show.
However, the inclusion of
Joel Should Play Pearl Jam's "Alive" Instead
would slightly diminish the impact of the real-world parallels it tries to draw with its references to the 90s. The references to the 90s are essential to many story elements in The Last of Us' overarching storyline. For instance, in season 1's episode 3, Ellie comes across a 1993 Mortal Combat 2 arcade game, which serves as a nostalgic reminder of her time with Riley. None of these real-world easter eggs would make sense if the show were to alter its narrative to incorporate a song from the games.
Luckily, Pearl Jam has been actively performing since the early 90s, allowing the HBO show to explore other songs by the band as a substitute for "Future Days." Among these options, "Alive" stands out as a perfect choice for the series. Furthermore, "Alive" holds a prominent place in Pearl Jam's repertoire, generating a sense of familiarity and nostalgia among viewers. Although "Alive" is typically more intense than the mellower "Future Days," the show could incorporate a stripped-down acoustic rendition of the former to align it with the storyline. Nevertheless, replacing "Future Days" with "Alive" would entail adjusting the song's original meaning to suit The Last of Us.
The Last Of Us Would Need To Change The Song's True Meaning
While "Alive" may initially seem like an uplifting anthem about celebrating life, the true meaning behind its lyrics is actually quite dark. The song tells the personal story of Eddie Vedder, recounting an incident from his childhood where he learned that his biological father had passed away and that the man he thought was his father was actually his stepfather. This track is part of a three-song trilogy, comprised of "Alive," "Once," and "Footsteps," each progressively diving deeper into darker themes. The lyrics of "Alive" may not perfectly align with the themes of The Last of Us, but the HBO series can choose to highlight the song's chorus, "Oh, I, oh, I'm still alive."
If, in The Last of Us season 2, Joel were to only sing the chorus, it could symbolize his own journey through trials and tribulations in the post-pandemic world. Despite confronting the haunting echoes of grief caused by his daughter's death, Joel manages to somehow survive and remain alive. The show could also portray Joel singing the chorus as a sign of gratitude for still being alive after meeting Ellie, adding a positive twist. Alternatively, if not using "Alive," The Last of Us could consider replacing "Future Days" with other popular Pearl Jam songs from the 90s, such as "Daughter" or "Black."
