The highly anticipated Season 2 of The Last of Us has arrived with Episode 1, titled “Future Days”—and it wastes no time diving into emotional fallout, tense reunions, and new characters that longtime fans will instantly recognize. While many expected the same heart-wrenching dynamic between Joel and Ellie to resume where Season 1 left off, the premiere boldly subverts those expectations.
🧠 Five Years Later: Joel and Ellie Are Distant Strangers
The episode picks up right where we left off—Ellie’s simple but loaded “okay” in response to Joel’s Season 1 lie about the Fireflies and the supposed failed cure. Fast forward five years, and things between them are… icy. Ellie barely speaks to Joel, while he, visibly tormented by guilt, is in therapy.
Yep, you read that right. In a post-apocalyptic world, therapy is very much on the table—and Joel’s therapist, Gail (Catherine O’Hara), brings both compassion and baggage to the table. The session reveals Joel’s emotional turmoil and guilt, particularly surrounding Ellie. But things take a shocking turn when Gail drops a bombshell: Joel killed her husband, Eugene, presumably due to infection. It’s a moment that’s classic The Last of Us—raw, layered, and morally messy.
👭 Ellie and Dina: A New Bond, A Familiar Rift
Another major character is introduced: Dina, played by Isabela Merced, Ellie’s best friend and future love interest. Their connection blooms at a New Year’s Eve party, culminating in a kiss that mirrors a pivotal moment from The Last of Us Part II. But the night turns sour fast when a drunk bigot named Seth lashes out. Joel steps in to protect Ellie—but his good intentions are met with cold rejection.
This scene perfectly illustrates how fractured Joel and Ellie have become. Even Joel’s affection for Dina, calling her “kiddo” the way he used to for Ellie, underscores the shift in dynamics—and the hurt Ellie still carries.
🔥 Abby Appears Early – And She’s Out for Blood
Fans of the game will know exactly what Abby means to the TLOU narrative—and showrunners Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann aren’t wasting time introducing her. Episode 1 opens with a glimpse of Abby and her group—survivors of Joel’s brutal Firefly hospital attack. While her full motivations are yet to be unpacked, the message is clear: Abby wants revenge.
And by the episode’s end, her team reaches Jackson. The countdown to a devastating confrontation has begun.
🎮 Game Tribute Done Right
While the show has mostly veered away from copy-pasting scenes from the game, the party sequence is a notable exception—recreated with near shot-for-shot fidelity, from Ellie’s view over the celebration to the exact framing of the altercation. It’s a stunning tribute to fans of The Last of Us Part II, made even more impactful by its earlier placement in the series’ timeline.
🧟 What’s Next? Infected, Emotions, and Explosions
Aside from the emotional heavy lifting, there are hints of growing danger. Ellie and Dina face off with a group of Infected, showing that even amidst personal drama, survival remains a central theme. But with Abby now in Jackson, and a massive Infected threat teased for next episode, it’s clear the emotional turbulence is just the beginning.
Get ready: flamethrowers are about to make a comeback.
📺 Final Thoughts: A Bold, Risky Return That Works
Season 2’s premiere may disappoint those looking for immediate Joel–Ellie bonding, but the decision to start with emotional distance only sets the stage for a powerful, painful evolution. With Pascal and Ramsey still turning in phenomenal performances and the introduction of new layers from both canon and original material, “Future Days” shows The Last of Us isn’t afraid to challenge both its characters—and its viewers.
💬 What did you think of the premiere? Are you ready for Abby’s arc? Drop your thoughts, theories, and favorite moments below! 👇🔥
