It’s hard to believe that season 2 of The Last of Us is almost over. The video game adaptation has delivered one heart-pounding moment after another, proving there’s still a place for post-apocalyptic programs on television.
Instead of kicking off where the first season ended, The Last of Us jumps ahead five years to see how and if the relationship between Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) has weathered the proverbial storm. A lot can happen in half a decade, but curing the Cordyceps virus isn’t one of them. The infection has only spread further and evolved in terrifying ways, making America’s landscape even deadlier.
This season of The Last of Us doesn’t re-create the original video game subject matter beat by beat. Writer, director and executive producer Neil Druckmann discussed the reasons for this creative choice during a virtual press conference for the series, which attended.
Empathy is the first reason. Building an emotional connection with certain characters and their storylines required altering the narrative structure to create stakes for the audience. That connection comes more naturally when you’re stepping into a character’s shoes while playing the game.
Timing is the other reason. “If we were to stick to a very similar timeline, viewers would have to wait a very, very long time to get that context,” Druckmann said. Context is key and by all accounts, this strategy is working. Season 1 broke viewership ratings and, just days before the season 2 premiere, HBO renewed The Last of Us for a third season.
Gabriel Luna, Kaitlyn Dever, Isabela Merced, Young Mazino, Catherine O’Hara and Rutina Wesley also star in the series. Read on to learn when to stream and to check out the episode release schedule for The Last of Us season 2.
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Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal as Ellie and Joel in season 2 of The Last of Us on HBO and Max.
When you can watch The Last of Us season 2
The sixth episode of The Last of Us season 2 will air Sunday, May 18, at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and Max. There is just one episode remaining; the season 2 finale will air on May 25.
You’ll need a Max subscription to stay engaged in all the action of The Last of Us. The streamer offers two plans: the ad-supported tier for $10 a month and the ad-free tier for $17 a month. To upgrade to 4K picture quality, you can go with the Ultimate plan, an elite option for $21 monthly.
Additionally, a megabundle that includes Hulu, Disney+, and Max is available. The ad-supported version costs $17 per month, while the ad-free version costs $30 per month.
