Season 2 will need more of the latter if it hopes to recapture the infectious magic of its predecessor.
Mild spoilers follow forThe Last of Usseason 2 episode 1.
The Last of Usseason 2has a lot to live up to.
Some years have passed since we last saw Ellie (left), pictured here with Joel’s brother Tommy (right)
Its predecessor set a high bar for HBO’s TV adaptation of Naughty Dog’s popular video game franchise.
Honestly, though, I don’t mind this minor, if controversial, change.
A major part of the heartbreaking shift in their relationship is down to Ellie’s growth as a person.
Some years have passed since we last saw Ellie (left), pictured here with Joel’s brother Tommy (right)
Unfortunately for Joel, he bears the brunt of the highly charged verbal torpedoes Ellie lets loose.
This is more than a normal teen rebelling against a parent, biological or otherwise, though.
Indeed, it’s a surrogate father-daughter bond on the verge of total collapse.
Some years have passed since we last saw Ellie (left), pictured here with Joel’s brother Tommy (right)
A clear animosity has developed between them sinceThe Last of UsTV show’s season 1 finale.
I really hope we’re treated to more similarly intense interactions between them over the course of this season.
The premiere’s near-hour-long runtime allows for brief moments of levity to shine through the post-apocalyptic melodrama, too.
Some years have passed since we last saw Ellie (left), pictured here with Joel’s brother Tommy (right)
Much of that comes by way of Ellie and Dina’s endearing puppy love-style dynamic.
Even though I know what happens inPart II, I’m still keen to see how their relationship evolves.
As a catch-up episode, it didn’t need to employ a gung-ho storytelling approach.
I was also largely satisfied with its near-perfect authentic take on Naughty Dog’s source material.
Some years have passed since we last saw Ellie (left), pictured here with Joel’s brother Tommy (right)
I’ve no doubt that Dever will deliver a powerful portrayal of Abby in HBO’s TV adaptation
Pascal’s emotionally rich performance in ‘Future Days’ tugs at the heartstrings
Merced’s Dina is a perfect foil to Ramsey’s Ellie in more ways than one
O’Hara’s Gail is one new addition to HBO’s interpretation that builds on its video game counterpart
