Against all odds, HBO's adaptation of the 2012 video game The Last of Us has swiftly become the first big show of 2023. The series was co-created by Neil Druckmann, the video game's original creator, as well as Chernobyl showrunner Craig Mazin. It stars Game of Thrones alumni Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey as Joel and Ellie, respectively.
With the show's success, HBO was quick to renew it for a second season. This has excited some fans and worried others, as The Last of Us: Part 2 is notoriously divisive among video game fanatics. However, there are many moments from the game we're excited to see interpreted on HBO's show, such as these eight iconic, and heartbreaking, moments.
Warning: Spoilers for The Last of Us: Part 2 ahead
8 Joel And Ellie's Falling Out
Much of the emotion in The Last of Us: Part 2 comes from a moment that transpires between the events of the two games. After discovering Joel's lie covering his murder of the scientists who wanted to kill Ellie to create a cure, Ellie cuts Joel out of her life. It leads to many awkward and frustrating moments between them in Jackson, Wyoming.
Though it's heartbreaking for many fans to watch, the breaking of Joel and Ellie's relationship is the foundation of the second game's story. It's even more heartbreaking to watch their final conversation, which serves as the final scene of the second game. Ellie's frustration but love for Joel will hopefully be captured by Bella Ramsey against a regretful Pedro Pascal.
7 Abby's Revenge Against Joel
Perhaps the moment many fans are dreading to see in the second season of The Last of Us is the introduction of Abby, the leader of a militia comprised of former Fireflies. Abby, whose father was the surgeon killed by Joel at the end of the first game, ambushes and attacks Joel and his brother Tommy. Unfortunately, Ellie arrives at the wrong time.
In one of the most heart-wrenching scenes across both games, Ellie is forced to watch as Abby beats Joel to death. While many fans felt the moment was undeserved for Joel, its emotional impact resonates nonetheless. It'll be tough to watch Pedro Pascal's Joel endure this fate, but it will truly be an unforgettable moment in television history.
6 Ellie's Post-Traumatic Stress
Following the unjust murder of Joel, Ellie sets out on a revenge quest to find and kill Abby. This mission comprises the majority of The Last of Us: Part 2, as Ellie sinks deeper and deeper into her obsession with vengeance. However, the violence will come with a price for Ellie, who will slowly become more and more traumatized by the things she's done.
In one of Ellie's most hard-to-justify moments, she murders two of Abby's confidantes, one of them being a pregnant woman. It's a scene that brings to question the morality of Ellie's search for revenge, which is a driving theme of the second game. It will nonetheless create a lot of discourse for fans of the show who are afraid to see Ellie become darker.
5 Abby's Relationship With Lev
Many of those who played The Last of Us: Part 2 have no love lost for Abby after her murder of Joel. It's a negative for many fans that they're forced to play as Abby for huge chunks of it, but perhaps a TV audience will find it easier to empathize and relate to her struggles. It will be important when considering Abby's connection to Lev, a runaway cultist.
Lev's presence in Abby's life becomes a sort of conscience for her. Furthermore, Lev's identity as transgender will also be great representation in the second season of The Last of Us, which has already explored an LGBTQ storyline with its portrayal of Bill and Frank. There are plenty of fans of the game who also want to see Lev's story done better in the show.
4 Ellie's Romance With Dina
A major character in The Last of Us: Part 2 who fans are excited to see adapted to live-action is Dina, another resident of Jackson who starts a flirtation, and later a relationship, with Ellie. Ellie's sexual awakening is a big part of her story in the sequel and particularly has resonance during her last conversation with Joel, where he encourages her to pursue Dina.
However, Dina's role in the story will also, as usual, be heartbreaking given how things end for her and Ellie. In the end, Ellie's pursuit of revenge and violence drives Dina away from her life, leaving Ellie alone and impaired by the game's end. Nevertheless, Dina will make for a great driving force for Ellie's painful narrative throughout the game.
3 Tommy's Presence In Ellie's Life
So far in HBO's The Last of Us, fans have gotten to see very little of Joel's brother Tommy. Though the character is slated to reappear in Episode 6 of the show, his role pales in comparison to Joel and Ellie throughout the first game. However, once Joel is murdered, the relationship between Ellie and Tommy will become very poignant for the second season.
While Dina is a voice for Ellie to abandon her violent desires and live a peaceful life, Tommy's grief over Joel's sudden murder is used to persuade Ellie into action. This is especially important when Tommy gives Ellie info on Abby's whereabouts near the end of the game, and Ellie makes the choice to pursue avenging Joel rather than focus on her life with Dina.
2 Ellie's Final Fight With Abby
Few moments in video game history are as emotional and action-packed as Ellie's final fight with Abby in The Last of Us: Part 2. After threatening to kill Lev, Ellie forces Abby to engage in combat with her in the rain, which ends up becoming brutal and bloody. It's especially rough as Abby bites off two of Ellie's fingers, and Ellie nearly drowns Abby.
However, the most important part of this fight comes when Ellie mid-fight recalls her last conversation with Joel, and her desire to forgive him against all odds. She lets Abby leave and take Lev as she weeps over her loss of Joel. It's an emotional moment that many audiences can't wait to see Bella Ramsey portray, though others may dread its impact.
1 Ellie Plays Joel's Guitar
A big part of The Last of Us: Part 2 are the several scenes where Ellie learns to play guitar thanks to Joel. It's a symbol of their connection, even as Ellie re-purposes the guitar to play songs like "Take On Me" for Dina. It'll also be a great opportunity to show off Bella Ramsey's guitar-playing skills, as the actress already has on press tours for the first season.
However, Ellie's playing of Joel's guitar will result in one of the second game's most heart-wrenching moments (which says a lot). After losing her fingers in her fight with Abby, Ellie returns to Joel's house and finds his guitar, attempting to play it but doing a poor job with her lack of fingers. The image of the guitar left behind near the window will crush the show's fans.