The Last of Us Season 2, Episode 1 begins with a dramatic prologue that sets the tone for the rest of the series. Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) still wrestle with the choices they made in the season one finale. The opening episode, “Future Days,” clearly shows how Joel’s decision to save Ellie—and lie about it—brings serious consequences.
A Fresh Start, The Same Old Issues
There are two prologues at the beginning of the show. After the slaughter in Salt Lake City, we first meet Abby (Kaitlyn Dever), a member of the Fireflies who wants to get revenge on Joel. She is committed to finding Joel and holding him accountable, as are her allies. Abby’s goal is obvious in a world where violence has ripped people apart: Joel has to pay for the lives he took.
The second prologue brings us back to the final moments of Season 1. Now that Ellie is aware of Joel’s true motivations, she has been informed that he spared her because the Fireflies had given up on curing the cordyceps illness. However, when they attempt to establish a life in Jackson, Wyoming, this falsehood continues to linger between them.
A Tense Partnership
It’s been five years now. Joel and Ellie reside in the Jackson colony, which is a comparatively peaceful area with farmland, power, and the rule of law. Ellie has developed her skills and is now roaming and gathering supplies, while Joel fixes things and makes himself helpful. But there’s a tension simmering between them. Their relationship is no longer what it once was.
We also meet two key new characters. Gail (Catherine O’Hara) is a therapist trying to help Joel confront his emotional baggage, but Joel’s refusal to talk about the past only complicates things. Meanwhile, Dina (Isabela Merced) enters the scene as a young woman who becomes close to both Joel and Ellie, adding further layers to the evolving dynamics of the group. Her friendship with Ellie brings a sense of warmth to the episode, offering a glimpse into what could be.
The Infected Return
The action doesn’t take long to heat up. As Ellie and Dina go on a patrol, they investigate reports of increased infected activity in the area. Their journey takes them to a creepy, abandoned grocery store, where they find disturbing signs of brutality. They discover mutilated bodies and a new type of infected: a monstrous, antlered creature that stalks Ellie, ultimately leaving her with a bite wound. Ellie hides the injury, knowing that her immunity is still a secret.
This new kind of infected, along with the increasing number of threats outside the walls of Jackson, signals more challenges to come for the survivors. But there are personal demons at play too—like the rift between Joel and Ellie. In a particularly emotional scene, Joel tries to defend Ellie during a New Year’s dance, only to have his protective instincts push her further away.
Themes of Guilt and Redemption
One of the most compelling aspects of this episode is the exploration of guilt, particularly through Joel’s character. His therapy session with Gail highlights the emotional toll his choices have taken on him. When Gail asks him what he’s afraid to admit, Joel remains steadfast, unwilling to confront the fact that his actions may have been selfish. His denial is poignant, yet his ultimate response—“I saved her”—is a reminder that in his eyes, Ellie’s life is worth any sacrifice, no matter the cost.
The Fireflies Return
At the episode’s end, Abby and her Firefly team arrive just outside of Jackson. The looming threat of the Fireflies’ retaliation looms large, signaling the beginning of a brutal conflict. And there’s another complication on the horizon: a mysterious underground pipe linked to the outside world has been sabotaged by encroaching roots, hinting that the cordyceps infection may be closer to the colony than anyone realized.
Source: nytimes
Leave a comment