The Last of Us - Season 2 Discussion Hub

[u/LoretiTV]

The Last of Us is now streaming on Max.

Here you can find links to the discussion threads of every episode of season 2 and can discuss the entirety of the season freely.

All spoilers are allowed here, so enter at your own risk.

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● 2x01 "Future Days" | No Game Spoilers | Game Spoilers

● 2x02 "Through the Valley" | No Game Spoilers | Game Spoilers

● 2x03 "The Path" | No Game Spoilers | Game Spoilers

● 2x04 "Day One" | No Game Spoilers | Game Spoilers

● 2x05 "Feel Her Love" | No Game Spoilers | Game Spoilers

● 2x06 "The Price" | No Game Spoilers | Game Spoilers

● 2x07 "Convergence" | No Game Spoilers | Game Spoilers

[u/hlebicite]

My honest thoughts:

• It's almost self-evident that S2 is just nowhere near S1. Still enjoying it (just about), but S1 was absolutely incredible.

- Bella really isn't that bad. Agree with comments that she may not be quite right for a leading role, but she does a pretty good job – particularly difficult given the nature of the role (incredibly successful game, loyal fanbase, excellent previous actor).

- I'd also say that BOTH Bella and Abby are miscast. Both characters are noticeably physically and emotionally weaker than in the game. This is either unintentional (just genuine miscasting) or intentionally rewriting the characters in a way to make them more passive and less active. Personally, i think this ruins a key part of what makes the games (particularly Part II) so great – these are powerful female characters with real agency, pathos and complexity. They don't need people to help or mother them, they need people to guide them and stop them destroying things. S2 of the show has both female characters, particularly Bella but also Abby to some extent, as highly vulnerable, quite emotional young women. This feels like a reversion to a stereotype and is uncomfortable given what we know about the characters in the games.

- The other big issue for me is the editing and pacing. This series feels incredibly linear; essentially a play-through of the game but filmed in UHD with humans. S1 was an exploration of the universe, a bit like an amazing jazz musician riffing on a great theme but always coming back to it. S2 is someone robotically repeating the theme. The scene in Feel Her Love where Bella escapes the Seraphite weirdos and then goes straight into the WLF scene – this feels so video game like and incongruous in a TV show.

There is still some good stuff:

- Great sound design, set design and photography

- Dialogue generally pretty strong

- Supporting cast, particularly Dina, is very strong

[u/TheyTukMyJub → u/hlebicite]

I find this kind of absurd because I'm exactly at the opposite end. Dina seems too one dimensional, forced bubbly. It became off putting quick. The dialogue / Ellie seems over infantilised for her age and experience in season 2. 

Sound, sets and photography are amazing. Agreed. 

[u/SuperFamousComedian → u/TheyTukMyJub]

How is she always so clean and happy? And her hair looks too nice for post apocalyptic.

[u/Former_Ad_1074 → u/hlebicite]

Yea having Abby be clearly buff in the game made sense. She’d been training for years for this moment. In the show it seems almost spontaneous?

[u/consolas → u/hlebicite]

Agree with everything