'The Last of Us' Season 2 Episode 1 Review: Future Days

Courtesy of HBO

The Last of Us is finally back after two long years. The anticipated 2nd season follows the second game in The Last of Us franchise. Season 1 ended with Joel saving Ellie from sacrificing herself for the greater good of humanity. This season takes place 5 years later in Tommy's community in Jackson, Wyoming. This episode was a little appetizer for what fans can expect this season.

Right away, we are introduced to a slew of new characters with the main one being Abby. If you played the video games, you know Abby was one of the most hated characters in the franchise. The show even hired extra security for Kaitilyn Dever on set just because of the hatred for her. We find out Abby and her group of friends are a part of the fireflies and her main mission is to kill Joel. Based on the video game, fans can expect this new character to make a major impact in the series. Next we are introduced to Dina, the best friend of Ellie. But, by the end of the episode that title could be changed to girlfriend. Lastly, we are introduced to Gail. Gail is the therapist of Joel. She is not in the video game and was created by the creators of the show.

Right away, one of the major points of this episode is Ellie's attitude. Since the time jump of 5 years, Ellie is now 19 years old and acts like every 19 year old woman. This is the reason Joel is in therapy because he feel like he is long that bond with her. During a session, Gail gets loaded for her birthday and does something to Joel that no professional therapist should do. She dumps her grief onto Joel and is still upset at him for killing her husband Eugene even though it needed to be done. She then asks Joe to admit something he is afraid to say but Joel just says that he saved Ellie and did nothing to hurt her.

Ellie seems to be getting along more with Tommy and asks him to be put back on patrol. Tommy reluctantly agrees and doesn't want the consequences from Joel and warns Ellie to listen to her captain. Ellie and Dina go on patrol together with a group and stop at an abandoned grocery store. They notice a lot of carnage outside of the store and are curious to investigate. Disobeying orders, Ellie and Dina climb into the store and take out two runners. Ellie celebrates cockily but then the floor collapses leaving her stranded in the store. Dina tries to find a way to help but then Ellie runs into a different kind of runner. This runner is more like a human. It waits, stalks, and plans what is going to do unlike the other runners. This causes Ellie to get bit again before killing it. Ellie and Dina bring this up to the council who is concerned about this latest development.

It's New Years 2029 and Ellie decides to go to the community event with Dina. A slow dance begins to play and they start to dance intimately together. They even share a kiss during a dance. A man see this and instantly complains and stares them down telling them it's a family event. Joel see this and pushes the man making him fall. Ellie then goes off on Joel as any 19 year old teenager would do and tells she doesn't need his help. Joel then quietly and reluctantly goes home. You can feel how much pain Joel is feeling from Ellie not wanting him in her life. The ending shows us Abby and her group of fireflies outside the gates of Joel's community.

This episode is an appetizer of what is to come. We need to figure out why Ellie is so mad and indifferent to Joel. Is it because she was saved? Did she even want to be saved? Did she realize Joel was lying to her? What is the reason Abby wants to kill Joel? Future days sets the viewer up on what to expect and what this season will be about. It also creates intriguing questions future episodes need to answer.

Grade: B

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