<em>Warning: Spoilers Ahead for </em>The Last of Us Season Two, Episode One

At the core of The Last of Us, encompassing both the acclaimed video games and the gripping first season of the HBO series, lies the profound relationship between Joel and Ellie. This complex dynamic was artfully portrayed by the talented Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey in season one, with their undeniable chemistry standing out as the show’s pinnacle. Therefore, it comes as a surprising turn that they share only a fleeting few minutes of screen time together in the season two premiere titled “Future Days,” and their interactions are notably tense, highlighting the emotional distance that has developed between them.

As the episode unfolds, we find ourselves diving back into the narrative exactly where we left off, with Ellie accepting Joel’s fabricated story regarding the heart-wrenching events of the season one finale. That pivotal episode depicted Joel’s violent confrontation with the Fireflies, who aimed to create a cure for the devastating cordyceps infection that ravaged humanity, a plan that would have cost Ellie her life. By saying “okay,” Ellie conveys her acceptance of Joel’s narrative, despite her underlying skepticism. Fast forward five years, and the atmosphere is palpably strained—so much so that the once-hardened Joel is now seeking therapy.

We are granted a glimpse into Joel’s therapy session with his therapist Gail, portrayed by the brilliantly talented Catherine O’Hara. Her introduction had been highly anticipated since her reveal in an earlier trailer, and their interaction proves to be quite revealing. Joel’s struggle with his relationship with Ellie is evidently the catalyst for his decision to seek help, and he expresses concerns about the growing distance between them. Ellie’s silence and sulking behavior reflect the typical teenage angst, but Gail astutely comments that Ellie’s behavior is not unusual for a 19-year-old dealing with parental relationships, suggesting that deeper issues lie beneath the surface.

As the session progresses, Gail becomes more open with Joel, partly due to her inebriated state, which leads to a shocking revelation: Joel had shot her husband, Eugene, a character from The Last of Us Part II, who we never encountered in the game. While she expresses understanding regarding the necessity of Joel’s actions—implying Eugene may have been infected—she admits that she cannot forgive him for the way she learned about it, harboring resentment for what he did. This unexpected exchange is not your typical therapist-client dialogue, but it perfectly encapsulates the unique tone of The Last of Us. During this intense moment, Joel tearfully confesses to having done something to Ellie, but when Gail questions whether he harmed her, his only response is that he saved her before abruptly leaving her house. Season one illustrated a more vulnerable side of Joel compared to his game counterpart, a transformation that enriches the character, and it’s encouraging to see season two continue to explore this unconventional narrative path in a post-apocalyptic setting.

Moreover, the episode introduces Dina, a new character who serves as Ellie’s best friend, giving us further insight into the growing rift between Joel and Ellie through her conversation with Joel. Their interaction reveals a friendly rapport, with Joel affectionately referring to her as “kiddo,” a term he typically reserves for Ellie. This dynamic takes a turn when Dina directly inquires about Ellie’s anger toward him. Joel’s evasive response centers around the complexities of their father-daughter relationship, particularly as Ellie navigates her teenage years, while also pleading with Dina to keep his therapy sessions confidential. His therapy discussions come across as too transparent for her to overlook, hinting at the deeper emotional struggles both characters are facing.

A particularly pivotal moment in this exposition-heavy episode occurs during the New Year’s Eve celebration, where Dina and Ellie share a heartfelt dance and a kiss, only to be interrupted by a drunken local bigot. As Ellie contemplates confronting him, Joel steps in, physically subduing Seth and checking in on Ellie’s well-being. This protective instinct from Joel is met with a disgusted look and sharp rebuke from Ellie, who then turns away from him in disappointment, showcasing the profound disconnect between them. This moment highlights the growing tensions and emotional turmoil within their relationship.

The dynamics between Joel and Ellie are undeniably troubled, and while it’s a captivating start to the new season, one cannot help but feel a sense of disappointment over the minimal screen time afforded to Pascal and Ramsey together. Their conflict is a believable narrative choice—after all, even a typical 19-year-old would face challenges in their relationship with a parent. However, the lack of meaningful interactions between the two casts a melancholic shadow over the episode, a tone that writer/director Craig Mazin seems to have intentionally crafted to resonate throughout the season.

Writer Craig Mazin also honors the video game with several thoughtful nods throughout this episode, particularly notable during the town party scene. From the beginning of season one, many fans anticipated that the series would closely replicate the iconic scenes from the game, but those expectations have been pleasantly subverted. The show’s creative direction has focused on expanding the narrative rather than strictly reproducing the game’s most memorable moments, while still incorporating significant tributes to its source material. The party scene serves as a perfect example, starting with a shot of Ellie gazing over the festivities, followed by a sequence that mirrors the crucial game scene in dialogue, set design, and framing, but with a fresh approach that introduces it much earlier in the storyline.

In a similar vein, the episode’s other crucial scene occurs right at the outset. Following a brief flashback, we are quickly introduced to Abby, one of the second game’s playable characters. We discover that she and her group are survivors of Joel’s tragic massacre of the Fireflies at the Utah hospital, and Abby’s thirst for revenge becomes apparent. Both Mazin and co-showrunner Neil Druckmann have indicated their desire to delve into Abby’s motivations more quickly in the show compared to the game, as players develop a connection with her through gameplay. In this scenario, however, we already understand Abby’s intentions toward Joel, culminating with her crew arriving in Jackson by the episode’s end. While “Future Days” prioritizes character development and world-building over high-octane action—aside from some nail-biting moments involving Ellie and Dina confronting Infected—the stakes are clearly set to escalate in the upcoming episodes, not only with Abby’s storyline but also with the looming threat of a significant Infected presence. Viewers should prepare for an action-packed next installment.

Infection Threat Analysis: Score of 6/10

A prevalent critique from fans of the video games during season one was the perceived scarcity of Infected appearances. The show’s creators have assured viewers that they are adjusting this aspect in season two—time will tell if they stay true to their promises.

While the first episode primarily served as an exposition piece with minimal action, we did witness Ellie and Dina stealthily dispatching two Clickers. However, the highlight came from the exhilarating debut of a Stalker, which caught Ellie completely off guard, even resulting in a bite that she had to conceal from Dina. As the season progresses, let’s hope for more of these terrifying creatures to emerge. Additionally, the ominous presence of tendrils lurking within the Jackson pipes suggests even greater challenges ahead, although we’re not yet at that point. I rate this episode a 6 out of 10—while it lacked extensive action, the Stalker reveal was intense enough to elevate the episode’s overall score.