Culture news The Last of Us HBO: These novelties are simply brilliant! Our opinion on episode 2
Published on 01/23/2023 at 07:00
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Following a first episode which laid the foundations for an extraordinary adventure, Joël, Tess and Ellie continue on their way through the ruins of Boston. Their goal, find a team of Fireflies in the old Capitol. Of course, easier said than done. Here is our opinion on the second chapter!
It is now our little meeting every Monday. Get comfortable to debrief the new episode of The Last of Us series, as we did for the first chapter. A start that we also found quite solid, managing to bring new elements to the universe – which, in addition, interest the players – without betting excessively on its resemblance to the video game! So it’s time to see what path episode 2 has chosen… A path that doesn’t necessarily look obvious, through the dangerous ruins of Boston. So, then, what is it worth? Fasten your seat belts. Don’t worry, we’ll do our best not to spoiler.
The scientific angle, great choice
No need to make it complicated, let’s start with the intro. Again, co-creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann begin with an unseen video game scene, a way of saying “you’re watching the HBO series, not Naughty Dog’s software”. A scene which, like the first episode, approaches the cordyceps fungal virus from a scientific angle. But, this time, we are on something much more concrete… The whole thing takes place in Indonesia, in 2003, a few days before the start of the pandemic! One of the first infected is discovered, and the local government calls in a specialist to understand what is happening. Without going into too much detail, with a sober but poignant staging, the conversation that ensues is blood-curdling. Once again, The HBO anchors the universe of Naughty Dog in the concrete and the real – and makes you want to know more.
“Not only is it scary to hear the scientist say it’s over, but the moment she accepts it, and being able to see the drama on her face, is something unique for this adaptation, and I’m so glad we can show it (…) The more real we can make what is happening around it, the more real the heart of the story will be” – Craig Mazin, co-creator The Last of Us HBO (Les Numériques, January 7, 2023)
A very good “production value”
It may be silly to say, but it is with these kinds of ideas that The Last of Us series is able to captivate the biggest fans of video games! And even when it’s the main story – moreover very faithful to the 2013 software – which is in the spotlight, the authenticity of the actors | scenery immediately takes over. A last point particularly highlighted in this second episode, therefore taking place in the ruins of Boston, in search of the Fireflies. Whether it’s the wide angles, mark of the grandiose post-apo, or the inserts on details (like the ribs of the cordyceps), HBO delivers a very impressive adaptation job here. In chapter 2, we thus find certain plans and places of the video game: the Capitol, the Hotel and the Museum. Yes, this is where we discover the first clapper in the series, an iconic creature whose strident noise has marked more than one player. Again, the design is impeccable, as is the rise in tension that precedes its discovery… And then, there is this brilliant info that we learn about the infected. But that is held to the secret of the pleasure of discovery.
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