The Last of Us Episode 2 finds Joel, Ellie, and Tess navigating the dangerous terrain as they search for the safest path to their destination, while also facing off against hideous infected creatures along the way. The episode is directed by Neil Druckmann and written by Craig Mazin, and features Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey in the prominent roles, with a runtime of 60 minutes.
– No Spoilers-
The Last of Us Episode 2 Review
The second instalment of this post-fungal pandemic thriller starts with another horrifying context about the spread of the disease, as a mycologist from Indonesia examines the early specimens of 2003. Even though this base was established in the first episode itself, this was another reminder about humanity’s ineffectiveness in fighting the outbreak, which just sends jitters down the spine.
Moreover, the main objective of the second episode is reaching “The Location” to complete their end of the deal with the rebel group. And transport Ellie (Bella Ramsey) to the safe space in the west. In the span of figuring out the right pathway, Joel (Pedro Pascal) learns more about Ellie’s alleged immunity to the spread, and her strong faith in the vaccine theory.
The next set of events finds the trio walking in the grey areas with absolutely no idea about the dead or the un-dead. All this while grasping the extent of the horrific spread, which they need to combat for the entire journey. Moreover, Ellie serves as our window to the post-pandemic world as she learns more about life outside the quarantine zone.
If Last of Us Episode 1 concentrated more on the action of the franchise, then the second one definitely takes a more adventure-centric approach. It simply presents the sick worldview and the debris of destruction which feels surreal and painful at the same time. The horror just grows onto you with the episode, as you know there’s no way out of this mess.
Also Read: The Last of Us Episode 1 Twitter Reactions: Fans Approve Show’s Fidelity to the Source
I’ll be completely honest here and mention my dislike for zombies that refuse to die. There is a scene in the middle of the episode where Joel actually empties an entire round into the chest of the hideous creature, as he still continues to fight back at full throttle. Ultimately, it turns out that you need a pitch-perfect headshot to get rid of them before they try to rip you apart.
There is also a feeling that the more episodes I watch, the more reasons I’ll get for my incompetence to survive an outbreak like this (running stamina, perfect vision and perhaps more to come). All in all, the episode is filled with stellar visuals and heart-thumping scenes, that have literally zero shortcomings in any regard.
Final Thoughts
The series is turning out to be a perfect execution of the hit franchise, with its grim and gritty portrayal of the world. And seems to be the next big thing in the streaming world. Moreover, the acting front has been extremely solid so far and is successful in holding the fort with much ease.
You can stream The Last of Us Episode 2 on Disney+ Hotstar. Let us know your thoughts about it in the comment section below.
Also Read: The Last of Us Episode 1 Review: The Night of Horror Begins