The Last of Us Season 2: Game References and New Theories from the Trailer

Familiar Faces and Places

The trailer for The Last of Us Season 2 plunges viewers into the world five years after the events of the first season. Ellie, portrayed by Bella Ramsey, now resides in Jackson, Wyoming, a location familiar to fans from Season 1, where Joel (Pedro Pascal) was reunited with Tommy. The trailer also reveals Joel’s settled existence in Jackson, living near Ellie’s newly established home. This suggests a direct correlation to the game’s timeline, where Ellie and Joel have established themselves within Jackson and are facing a new chapter, although their relationship seems strained. Joel is shown playing guitar, hinting at the crucial conversation that will follow. Tommy, played by Gabriel Luna, is also present, carrying his trusty rifle, and appears distressed, possibly reacting to an impending attack on Jackson.

New characters for Season Two

• Dina, played by Isabella Merced, is introduced as Ellie’s companion, differing from Ellie’s outlook on life post-apocalypse. This new character suggests a deeper exploration of the post-apocalyptic society and its diverse reactions to the outbreak.
• Jesse, played by Young Mazino, is a resident of Jackson and a friend to both Ellie and Dina. His presence hints at a potential larger role in Season 2 or potentially upcoming seasons. This hints that the story might expand further than the first game’s storyline.
• The introduction of Dina and Jesse echoes early gameplay missions from the game, where Ellie and Dina conduct scouting around Jackson. These segments also highlight the dangers of venturing outside of Jackson’s protective perimeter.
• The trailer showcases Ellie wielding an automatic rifle, a weapon familiar from the game. It’s unclear if this action is a direct reference to a specific game event.

Things Not From the Game

The trailer introduces a new, original character played by Catherine O’Hara. Her character seems to be a therapist, a new component introduced to the show. The character’s presence suggests Joel may be grappling with the emotional fallout from Season 1 and seeking guidance. Another significant addition is a large-scale attack on Jackson by infected. This event, absent from the game, could be a plot device to change or expand on the game’s storyline.

The trailer also implies a scenario where Abby, a pivotal figure in the game, might be welcomed into the Jackson community, possibly leading to a different narrative trajectory than in the game. This hints at a potential deviation from the game’s established timeline.

SPOILER WARNING

The trailer teases a potential alteration of the game’s plot concerning Abby and Joel. In the game, Abby ends Joel’s life, but in early drafts of the story, he was more connected to the community of Jackson before being betrayed by Abby. The trailer’s depiction of an infected horde attacking Jackson suggests Joel and Abby might be fleeing the settlement to escape a deadly threat. This potential change in narrative raises the possibility of a storyline divergence, where the show could potentially follow a previously discarded plotline from the game.

In essence, the trailer for The Last of Us Season 2 subtly hints at altering or expanding upon the game’s events. Significant deviations from the source material could offer a fresh perspective, while adhering to the core themes and characters of the game.