Warning: This article contains spoilers for The Last of Us season 2, episode 1, and mild spoilers for The Last of Us Part II.
In the premiere episode of The Last of Us season 2, viewers are introduced to several pivotal moments that may appear insignificant at first glance. However, it’s crucial for those unfamiliar with the video game to pay close attention, as these details may become significant later. Titled “Future Days,” the first episode picks up five years after the dramatic conclusion of season 1. Joel and Ellie are now comfortably settled in their new life in Jackson, Wyoming, but a group of surviving Fireflies, harboring a deep-seated grudge, is poised to strike. While the episode diverges significantly from the video game narrative, it still retains the essence of its core story.
Several scenes in the season 2 premiere directly mirror sequences from the game, such as Ellie and Dina’s tense exploration of a supermarket overrun by stalkers, or the New Year’s Eve celebration in Jackson where Dina and Ellie share their first kiss. The season begins at a slow pace, laying the groundwork for a multitude of important plot developments—this episode serves primarily as setup. With the essential exposition cleverly woven into realistic dialogue among characters, discerning the crucial information can be challenging, especially without prior knowledge of the direction of the story. Thus, I’m here to guide you through the intricate details.
Discover Dina’s Complex Relationship with Jesse
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While the season premiere beautifully establishes the budding romance between Ellie and Dina, it also introduces the complexities of their past relationships. Dina’s former partner, Jesse, is now the leader of the patrols, while Ellie’s ex-girlfriend, Kat, leads a separate patrol. Although Kat only appears in dialogue and journal entries within the game—and is also featured in one of the “lost levels” in the PS5 remaster—she does not make a physical appearance in the series. Conversely, Jesse plays a significant role in The Last of Us Part II, with his romantic history with Dina being a critical aspect of the narrative.
As Ellie begins her romance with Dina, the lingering emotional connection between Dina and Jesse sparks feelings of insecurity and jealousy within her. In the game, when Jesse and Dina occupy the same space, Ellie often feels like an intruder, leading her to exit awkwardly. Although Jesse and Dina’s relationship has officially ended, the echoes of their long, tumultuous romance will resonate throughout the story, so it’s essential to keep this in mind as the plot progresses.
Unveiling Tommy’s Expert Sharpshooting Abilities
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In the early moments of the season premiere, Tommy is seen giving Ellie a crucial lesson in sharpshooting with a sniper rifle, where he instructs her on how to effectively take down distant infected targets. This training scene closely parallels a similar moment from the game, which unfolds as a flashback during Ellie’s playable segments. Some of the dialogue is even directly lifted from that section, including Tommy’s advice on compensating for bullet drop. The key takeaway from this scene is that Tommy possesses exceptional shooting skills and is highly proficient with long-range firearms.
There’s a significant sequence on the horizon that will highlight Tommy’s sharpshooting expertise. Although it’s set to occur much later in the game, the TV adaptation may not bring it to life until season 3, if at all. Regardless, it promises to be a thrilling moment in the storyline, so it’s essential to remember that Tommy is an accomplished sniper. Season 1 has already established Tommy’s background as a Gulf War veteran who served in Operation Desert Storm, shedding light on why he has such remarkable sharpshooting abilities.
Gail’s Revelation About Her Husband Eugene
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The premiere of season 2 introduces a new character, Joel’s therapist named Gail, portrayed by the talented Catherine O’Hara. During her interactions, she mentions her husband, Eugene, who is also a character not featured in the games but is referenced multiple times. In this episode, Gail expresses resentment towards Joel for having killed Eugene, suggesting that Joel may have had to put Eugene down after he was infected. However, the circumstances surrounding Eugene’s death seem to carry an air of suspicion, indicating that the truth may be more complex.
Joe Pantoliano has been cast to portray Eugene in the series, hinting that future episodes will likely delve into the backstory of Joel’s actions regarding Eugene. Within the game, Eugene is characterized as humorous, lonely, skilled in electronics, and an enthusiastic weed smoker. More importantly, he is revealed to have been a former Firefly who fought alongside Tommy, which could provide insight into the motivations behind Joel’s drastic actions.
Joel’s Heartfelt Gesture to Repair Ellie’s Guitar
In the season premiere, the interactions between Joel and Ellie are limited but deeply poignant. One of the most subtle yet heartbreaking moments occurs when Joel visits Ellie’s garage and discovers her guitar lying neglected among a pile of junk, covered in dust. He remarks that it needs new strings and promptly leaves to replace them for her. Despite his efforts, it’s clear that Ellie’s neglect of this instrument deeply affects him. The guitar serves as a powerful symbol of their relationship, and seeing it abandoned resonates painfully with him.
While the scene in the premiere episode hints at their shared history, it doesn’t fully convey the backstory. Joel gifted this guitar to Ellie and taught her to play it, which is a touching moment depicted in the season 2 trailer that suggests a flashback will reveal this emotional scene in a future episode. In the game, this moment occurs early on, even before the significant time jump, and is one of the most memorable interactions. Keep in mind the sentimental value this guitar holds for Joel, and prepare for an emotional experience when he gifts it to Ellie.
Exploring Abby’s Relationship with Owen
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In the gaming experience, players remain unaware that Abby and her companions are members of the surviving Fireflies until a pivotal flashback reveals this information midway through the narrative. However, the television adaptation opts for transparency right from the start. In one of the earliest scenes of the premiere episode, viewers see Abby and her allies mourning the loss of their fellow Fireflies as they lay their comrades to rest outside St. Mary’s Hospital. While the group is preoccupied with seeking a new sanctuary, Abby is consumed with the desire to extract revenge on Joel, vowing to make him pay for the deaths of their friends and allies.
Abby shares a particularly close bond with one of her companions, Owen, portrayed by Spencer Lord. When Abby expresses her thirst for vengeance, it is Owen who intervenes and persuades her to reconsider. Their connection is apparent when they share a moment of eye contact as they arrive in Jackson at the end of the episode. Pay close attention to their interactions, as Abby and Owen’s intricate history will be explored further as the series progresses.
Ellie Observes Joel in a Touching Moment on His Porch
During the New Year’s Eve celebration, after Dina kisses Ellie, Seth makes a disparaging remark, prompting Joel to intervene and give him a shove. Expecting gratitude from Ellie for his protective action, he is met with her anger instead. Throughout the episode, Ellie has been striving to establish her independence from Joel’s shadow, and his actions only reinforce that dynamic. Consequently, she expresses her desire to handle things on her own, leading Joel to leave the scene. Later that night, when Ellie returns home, she finds Joel playing his guitar on his porch, yet she refrains from addressing him.
The premiere episode leaves out some context regarding this interaction. In the game, the complete version of this moment is revealed only at the very end, which recontextualizes the entire narrative leading up to that point. It remains uncertain whether the television adaptation will disclose the entire scene sooner, but it’s essential to keep this in mind as the story progresses.
