In a genre and subgenre as oversaturated as apocalypse fiction and zombie apocalypse fiction, it can be easy to write off a new show like “The Last of Us” as a small drop in a seemingly bottomless bucket of stale, moldy water. After 11 seasons of “The Walking Dead”, a person could be forgiven for being burnt out on stories about hard knocks and living corpses. Nevertheless passing over this new show without a quick stop to scavenge would leave you missing out on a real diamond in the rough.
Based on the best-selling video game of the same name, “The Last of Us” seems to have broken a long precedent of mediocrity in video game adaptations. Trading in established cliches, the traditional viruses of most zombie media are replaced by a more novel idea in a real fungus fictionally mutated to infect humans. Though old standbys like transmission via biting and hordes of undead are present, they manage to capture a more intense and uncomfortable form of fear which elevates the already high stakes. Even though the show’s take on the apocalypse is unique, what truly sets it apart is the emotional intensity the cast and showrunners have managed to imbue into a world populated mainly by mushroom zombies.
Headed by “Game of Thrones” alumni Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, the cast provide phenomenal performances with each episode which can keep viewers on the edge of their seats and in tears at the same time. The plot of the show follows Joel, a gruff and jaded survivor played by Pascal seeking long lost family but also tasked with transporting a young girl, Ellie, played by Ramsey, across the ruined country.
Along the way, the protagonists find themselves in a variety of dangerous situations brought about by the fungal apocalypse and the desperation and cruelty of people living in a destroyed world. These themes of survival and cruelty are fleshed out with episodes or segments focusing less on the main characters and more on the world and people around them. Though this aspect of the show has been criticized by some for taking away from the overall story, these criticisms lack substance. The off-topic moments shown so far have provided some of the most compelling material in the show so far, and always manage to weave their way back into relevance with the overall plot of the series.
The next section of this review will contain spoilers.
The third episode for example focuses mainly on two one-off characters, Bill and Frank, as they try to rebuild their lives in the aftermath of the outbreak. The episode follows them as they meet, fall in love, and eventually die together, and has received widespread acclaim as perhaps the best, most emotional episode yet. Despite this new focus the episode does not lose the spirit of the show and does a fantastic job of expanding the world and connecting back to Joel and Ellie’s journey.
Overall, “The Last of Us” is a superb combination of action and emotion that provides an engrossing story. Viewers are unlikely to find themselves disappointed with this new addition to the canon of end of the world fiction.
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