The highly anticipated second season of HBO’s The Last of Us premieres this week, picking up the emotional and narrative threads left dangling at the end of season one. Based on the critically acclaimed video game series of the same name, the show once again blends character-driven storytelling with high-stakes post-apocalyptic drama.
While the first season closely mirrored the storyline of the original 2013 game, it also took narrative detours—most notably in the acclaimed episode featuring a poignant love story between Bill (Nick Offerman) and Frank (Murray Bartlett), which was not part of the original game but became a standout for viewers and critics alike.
Season two’s first episode, “Future Days,” opens with a return to the fraught relationship between Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey). The premiere reminds us of Joel’s deception at the end of season one—his lie to Ellie about the Fireflies and their plan to use her immunity to develop a cure. That moral compromise continues to weigh heavily as the narrative moves forward.
New dynamics are introduced with the arrival of Abby (Kaitlyn Dever), a character familiar to fans of the video game sequel, The Last of Us Part II. Abby, part of a younger generation of Fireflies, is on a quest for revenge. Although her group doesn’t know Joel’s location or appearance, Abby’s resolve suggests she won’t remain in the dark for long. Dever, known for her versatility in comedic and dramatic roles, is set to bring a new intensity to the series.
The series explores themes of community and personal growth in Jackson, Wyoming, where Joel, his brother Tommy (Gabriel Luna), and Maria (Rutina Wesley) have found relative stability. Now serving as a construction foreman, Joel resists accepting more outsiders into the already burdened settlement.
Meanwhile, Ellie is undergoing her own transformation—training in hand-to-hand combat and firearms. Her relationship with Joel has grown strained, leading him to seek therapy from a newly introduced character, Gail (Catherine O’Hara). Known for her comedic roles in Schitt’s Creek and Home Alone, O’Hara brings unexpected gravitas to the part, adding depth to a subplot not found in the games.
New characters also emerge within the Jackson community. Jesse (Young Mazino) leads the external patrols, while Dina (Isabela Merced), a love interest for Ellie, is introduced. During a patrol, Dina and Ellie encounter a more evolved version of the infected—one that appears to possess intelligence and manipulation abilities. Ellie is bitten during the scuffle, a fact she keeps hidden from Dina.
The budding relationship between Ellie and Dina is explored throughout the episode, culminating in a New Year’s Eve kiss at a town gathering. The moment, however, is met with hostility from a townsperson, Seth (Robert John Burke), prompting Joel to intervene. Ellie’s frustration with Joel’s protectiveness surfaces once more, adding to their growing emotional distance.
The episode concludes by hinting at two significant threats for the season. A broken pipeline, overgrown with fungal roots, suggests that the infection is beginning to infiltrate Jackson. Meanwhile, the Fireflies—Abby among them—are closing in on the town, setting the stage for a collision course with Joel.
While the premiere doesn’t deliver the emotional punch of some of season one’s standout episodes, it lays essential groundwork. With only seven episodes this season—down from nine in the first—storylines are expected to progress quickly. Viewers can expect a tightly woven narrative arc, with rising tension between Ellie and Joel, the looming arrival of Abby, and the emergence of more sophisticated infected threats.
The season two premiere may feel like a slow burn for longtime fans, but it holds promise. Whether you’re coming to the show fresh or as a fan of the games, The Last of Us continues to offer compelling television. And for those curious about what’s next, it might be the perfect time to finally pick up the controller.
Season 2 of The Last of Us airs on HBO on Sundays, starting April 13, 2025.
