WARNING, SPOILERS AHEAD…
We know, you hate to see it: The Last Of Us is coming to an end, with its Season One finale set to air on Monday (Sunday night US time). Yes, we know it has been renewed for a Season Two (yay), but it doesn’t make the blow any easier… how else will you get your Pedro Pascal fix?
But ahead of the epic conclusion of this HBO mega hit, ICON delves into the reasons that we believe this series has resonated with so many viewers worldwide, gaming nerds or otherwise. With an outstanding score of 9.1 on IMDB, you know it’s doing something right…
It’s a show about family…
It’s clear from the very first episode that The Last Of Us is a show entrenched in the ideals of parenthood (and brotherhood) and what a parent or family member would do to ensure the safety of their loved ones. With the death of Joel’s daughter at the very onset of the pandemic, we come to find a somewhat broken Joel, 20 years later but in search of redemption… he just might not know it yet.
When Joel first meets Ellie, it’s clear that there is something between them to allow a relationship to flourish, it’s just not clear straight away. At the conclusion of Episode Eight, we come to see that Ellie is more than just “cargo” for Joel, but rather a daughter-like figure that he will protect at all costs; she becomes family.
“It’s Okay, baby girl,” Joel says as he comforts a visibly shell-shocked Ellie from the aftermaths of David and his cult.
Beyond Joel and Ellie’s relationship, we’re introduced to Joel’s brother in Episode One, and later on in Episode Six as the two brother’s finally reunite after all those years of searching and wondering.
Then there is the tragic story of Henry and Sam, two brothers trying to survive in a world that seems all but doomed. As the season progresses, it becomes more and more clear that family and parenthood are a core theme of this story.
It’s sort of relevant…
While we might not be facing mindless, flesh-eating zombies and a completely collapsed society, the world can relate somewhat to the events of a global pandemic and the themes of going through such an ordeal, like the loss of hope, despair and uncertainty.
It’s heartwarming…
While a majority of The Last Of Us is difficult to watch given the nature of the character’s circumstances, there are moments of hope that viewers certainly cling onto. I.e, seeing Joel and Ellie’s relationship develop is everything. At the end of Episode Eight when Joel finally finds Ellie after her traumatic ordeal, it’s hard not to shed a tear as you watch these two characters embrace.
And how can we forget the sensational Episode Three side-story between Bill and Frank. This episode was so good, so heartwarming that you almost forgot you were watching a series that deals with very morbid themes, such as death and despair.
Its got the thrills…
Whether it’s watching Joel and Ellie run from ‘Stalkers’, evade ‘Clickers’ or deal with a cannibalistic cult, this series definitely keeps you on the edge of your seat… at all times. Do we remember the last 20 minutes of Episode Five as the small town in Kansas City is swarmed by stalkers, clickers and even a Bloater? Terrifying stuff, folks (and I can admit I didn’t sleep after that episode concluded).
The only thing more thrilling than an episode of The Last Of Us is playing the video game itself. You’ve been warned.
It serves as a faithful adaption but goes beyond the game…
Not only did HBO nail the casting of each character (we can’t think of a better pair to play Joel and Ellie), but the scene-for-scene likeness between game and series is unparrelled. But going beyond just reenacting a scene from the game itself, the show adds carefully considered layers to scenes and episodes that tell a more wholesome and tangible story.
It’s a show about redemption…
No matter how bad the crimes Joel committed are (it’s eluded that Joel killed innocent people), you want this man to succeed. At the core of this show is a broken man who has lost everything at the conclusion of Episode One. 20 years later, we find he’s a changed man battling the demons of his past; a man with nothing left to lose but his dignity… until he finds Ellie.
As the series progresses, we find that Ellie is Joel’s last purpose in life. She is also his last shot of redemption (and perhaps a shot at finding some form of happiness in this cruel apocalyptic world).
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As The Last Of Us comes to its conclusion, what are your thoughts on the show? We’d love to hear what you have to think! The Last Of Us Season One, Episode 9 will air on HBO (and Binge) this coming Monday.
