Importance Score: 35 / 100 🔵
Faithful Recreation in HBO’s The Last of Us Season 2 Premiere, Despite Narrative Shifts
The highly-anticipated second season of HBO’s acclaimed series, The Last of Us, debuted yesterday, and while this initial episode sparked some reservations regarding pacing and narrative choices, it also delivered a compelling adaptation of a pivotal moment from the source material. Specifically, while HBO’s interpretation of The Last of Us Part II‘s storyline has notably diminished some of the suspense and enigma inherent in the game, credit must be given to the production team for their devoted rendition of a celebrated scene from Naughty Dog’s post-apocalyptic saga. This key scene appeared sooner than many devoted fans might have anticipated.
A Glimpse into Jackson’s Sanctuary
Titled “Future Days,” the season two opener is primarily set within the Jackson settlement, the established community where Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) have resided for five years. Both characters have integrated into this community of survivors, shielded from the ravages of the infected. However, Ellie displays a clear disillusionment with communal living and shared purpose. She perceives the town’s protective barriers as limitations, hindering her potential to actively combat the infected threat. Her investment in the well-being of most townspeople is minimal. Dina, portrayed by Isabela Merced, stands out as an exception. Their close friendship suggests deeper feelings on Ellie’s part, with hints of reciprocal affection from Dina.
Dance of Budding Romance
Years of underlying romantic tension begin to surface at a community dance in Jackson. Ellie embodies the reserved observer, while Dina is the vibrant center of attention, energetically dancing to Crooked Still’s “Little Sadie.” As the tempo slows with the melancholic strains of the folk ballad “Ecstasy,” Dina playfully coaxes a reluctant Ellie onto the dance floor for a slow dance.
Early Revelation of a Key Moment
The inclusion of this scene at this juncture in the series is somewhat unexpected, given its original context as a flashback later in The Last of Us Part II. Nevertheless, this dance sequence was prominently featured in pre-release materials, notably at E3 2018, long before the game’s 2020 launch. Even prior to experiencing the full narrative and meeting Dina within the game, the impact of her presence on Ellie was palpable. This portrayal depicts an older, more weathered Ellie compared to the original game. Her experiences have seemingly aged her beyond the mere passage of time. Dina, conversely, exudes cheerfulness and vitality. Her playful nature contrasts with Ellie’s constant guardedness, igniting sparks of passion and enthusiasm in Ellie that had appeared extinguished.
A Pivotal Scene Preserved
This dance floor interaction encapsulates their dynamic, and there was apprehension that it might be undermined by the show’s altered narrative approach. As previously articulated in season two reviews and episode recaps, the series’ tendency towards excessive exposition and justification of character motivations is a point of concern. This approach can be tedious. However, the faithful adaptation of this particular exchange from the PlayStation 4 game was a welcome surprise.
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Ellie: Every guy in this room is staring at you right now.
Dina: Maybe they’re staring at you.
Ellie: They’re not.
Dina: Maybe they’re jealous of you?
Ellie: No reason to be. I’m not a threat.
Dina: Oh, Ellie. I think they should be terrified of you.
Kiss and Insecurity
Dina’s subsequent kiss with Ellie on the dance floor further highlights Ellie’s deep-seated insecurity, even if the on-screen delivery may differ from the game’s nuanced performances. The dialogue effectively portrays Ellie’s diminished self-worth; she struggles to believe Dina could perceive her romantically. Dina’s words affirm Ellie’s value and potential, yet words alone might not suffice. Action becomes the convincing factor.
Unpacking Ellie’s Emotional Journey
Initially, Ellie might dismiss the flirtation and kiss as inconsequential, a reflection of her profound insecurity. Having endured significant loss, trusting in genuine connection becomes a challenge. The series will undoubtedly explore how Ellie navigates this emotional landscape, potentially over multiple seasons. For now, she experiences a moment of desired connection and begins to consider that she is seen beyond her hardened exterior as “Joel’s angry girl.”
Interruption and Lingering Issues
This tender moment is abruptly interrupted by Seth (Robert John Burke), the town’s prejudiced figure, who delivers a judgmental reprimand laced with a homophobic slur. Joel intervenes, physically confronting Seth, which in turn prompts an embarrassed outburst from Ellie. This encounter underscores unresolved tensions between Ellie and Joel, a narrative thread to be explored in future episodes.
Appreciating the Source Material
Much of The Last of Us season two’s early episodes serves to amplify appreciation for the original game’s exceptional performances and understated narrative. The dance scene echoes this sentiment, providing a welcome respite from the show’s tendency towards over-explanation and excessive dialogue. Occasionally, the original script requires minimal alteration. While infrequent, The Last of Us series demonstrates moments of recognizing this strength in restraint.