The highly anticipated The Last of Us Season 2 has finally premiered with the gripping first episode, Future Days, and it sets the stage for another intense chapter in the post-apocalyptic drama. Based on The Last of Us Part II, the season dives into the brutal, emotional journey that fans of the game are familiar with, expanding on the complex relationships and unrelenting action that made the franchise so iconic.
The episode opens with a flashback that reaffirms the weight of Joel’s (Pedro Pascal) controversial choice at the end of Season 1, when he killed to protect Ellie (Bella Ramsey). Five years after that decision, the fallout is evident. The emotional scars from Joel’s actions continue to haunt both of them, particularly Ellie, who begins questioning not only their past but her future. This underlying tension marks the emotional foundation of the season.
Meanwhile, a new antagonist emerges in the form of Abby Anderson, portrayed by Kaitlyn Dever. Her character is driven by grief and a thirst for vengeance after Joel killed her father. Abby’s path of revenge is slow, deliberate, and terrifying, building anticipation for the inevitable collision between her and Joel. Her storyline is woven into the overarching narrative, adding layers of moral complexity as viewers understand both sides of the conflict.
The episode also takes time to explore Ellie’s growth. Now more mature and hot-headed, Ellie has a budding romance with Dina (Isabela Merced), which contrasts with the underlying tension between Ellie and Joel. Their relationship, once a tight-knit father-daughter bond, is now strained, especially as Ellie faces the weight of her responsibilities.
Joel’s struggles are also front and center, especially in a poignant therapy scene with Gail (Catherine O’Hara). Here, Joel is confronted with the collateral damage of his past actions, and the revelation that Gail’s deceased husband was one of his victims brings a surge of guilt and emotion. The raw vulnerability in this moment shows a side of Joel not often seen.
As the episode progresses, the external threat intensifies. Ellie and Dina break rules and engage in a dangerous patrol, encountering a new, more aggressive form of the Cordyceps infection inside a supermarket. Ellie is bitten but hides it, hinting at further challenges ahead. Meanwhile, in Jackson, tensions rise as the local council remains dismissive of the Cordyceps threat, unaware that the infection is spreading through the city’s sewer systems.
Future Days perfectly sets up the emotional and physical stakes for Season 2, with its focus on guilt, revenge, strained relationships, and the ever-present danger of the Cordyceps virus. The episode leaves viewers on edge, promising a season filled with heart-wrenching moments, intense action, and complex character dynamics that will keep everyone on the edge of their seats.
