HBO’s The Last of Us doesn’t pull its punches, but the opening scene of the newest episode takes that daring nature to another level. Once upon a time, cable channels ruled the TV landscape. Then streaming services took over using the power of accessibility & low prices. HBO should be a relic of its time, still holding on to past glory. Instead, it continues to crank out shows that enrapture fans all over the world. From Game of Thrones to its prequel show House of the Dragon, HBO just won’t quit, and it’s definitely not pulling its punches anytime soon. Its latest hit show is an adaptation of one of the biggest video games in modern history.Even people who aren’t familiar with it have at least heard avid fans talking about it on social media. Like the game, the show takes the familiar concept of a zombie apocalypse and infuses it with heart, care, and a whole lot of nerve. No wonder it gained 4.7 million views in its first episode! It’s got all the trappings of an iconic TV show with the ease of watching (or re-watching) whenever viewers want. Plus, pairing Pedro Pascal as the reluctant father figure of a special child seems all the rage these days. Just ask The Mandalorian.RELATED: Google Adds Awesome The Last of Us Easter EggOn January 15th, fans excitedly hopped on HBO Max for the season premiere of The Last of Us. They literally flocked to their screens just to tune in to season 1, episode 2, “Infected” and they weren’t disappointed. Director Craig Maizin (The Specials, Superhero Movie) really took his time setting up the show both for seasoned fans of the video game as well as curious newcomers with a love for zombies. Season 1, episode 1, “When You’re Lost in the Darkness” opens up on a talk show from 1968 that essentially breaks down the crux of the crisis that’s about to hit without feeling like drawn-out exposition. Things quickly take a nosedive for Joel Miller (Pedro Pascal), his daughter Sarah (Nico Parker), and his brother Tommy (Gabriel Luna). From there, their lives as well as those of everyone around them are rocked by the rapid spread of a deadly disease and their lives will never be the same. Sound familiar? It’s only the first reason why the show hits close to home for viewers.the-last-of-us-hboMycology professor Ibu Ratna (Christine Hakim) is enjoying a meal at a local Indonesian restaurant in Jakarta when she’s summoned to an official government building to give her professional opinion of a new fungus. Her afternoon is completely ruined as she quickly realizes that a dangerous fungal organism that shouldn’t be able to survive in humans is causing them to attack and infect each other. The officer guiding her through the process – including her traumatized reaction to almost being turned herself – can only stare in disbelief at the drastic measure she’s suggested be taken to quickly stop the spread of what seems like a super disease.The season premiere of The Last of Us is an effective introduction. Meanwhile, the follow-up is a hard-hitting reminder of what it looks like when the world finds itself spiraling into a global pandemic. The naïveté of Professor Ratna before she makes her awful discoveries reminds fans of a world pre-2020. Back then, they too were innocently enjoying chicken satay without a single clue of the horrors that lay ahead. Her terrified reaction to finding out the impossible had been made possible and many lives would be at risk as a result was also familiar.the last of us professor ibu ratnaThe entire sequence is a visceral look into what it was like to realize that COVID-19 was a devastating illness and not just a variation on the run-of-the-mill flu. The tremble in her hand, the fear in her voice, and her determination toward taking desperate actions to avoid the inevitable are frightening reminders of how the pandemic got started. However, one would be remiss not to discuss the artistry of the scene and the brilliant minds behind it. Craig Mazin moves from the director’s chair to the writer’s room as Neil Druckmann – creator of the original video game of the same name – makes his directorial debut. Druckmann’s eye for aesthetics translates well and encompasses what he calls “a love letter to [the achievements of the game developers at Naughty Dog]”:

The Last of Us is already setting itself up to go down as one of HBO’s most popular shows. Creators Druckmann & Maizin have found a way to give people a glimpse into their own humanity using a fantastical setting in which mushrooms are basically the Big Bad. While the season premiere set the stage, episode 2 was all about energy even while carrying a gut-wrenching opening scene on its back. This action-packed show is all about taking big risks for big rewards at the risk of even bigger pitfalls.

However, not all that glitters is gold, and just because it’s popular doesn’t mean it’s been well-received by all. Fans tired of the zombie genre might feel that it’s a tired rendition of a popular theme. Sometimes too much of a good thing just starts leaving a bad taste in one’s mouth. Even its own sheer popularity may work against it as negative opinions start to focus on calling it ‘overrated’ with a show unable to live up to its own reputation. Regardless, it’s clear to all that the show is only just getting started, and, with momentum like this, it won’t be slowing down anytime soon.

The Last of Us airs Sundays at 9:00 PM on HBO.

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