With the successful season 1 of The Last of Us, HBO explored new avenues to differentiate itself from games. Season 2 will take the same path on several levels.
Fans may have already noticed it in the first season of the series The Last of Us: the timeline is shifted by 10 years compared to Naughty Dog’s masterpieces. Joel’s age is also off. Choices assumed by HBO, which wishes to address themes little explored in the games from which the show is adapted.
The difference game in The Last of Us series
As a reminder, season 1 of The Last of Us had already marked a different temporality of games. The beginnings of the fungal apocalypse began in 2003, and not in 2013. A first freedom which allowed the showrunners to represent the world before in another way. It is therefore in 2023 that Joel and Ellie meet, instead of 2033 in Naughty Dog’s first opus. A way like any other to mark the dystopia of this universe, the series having also been released in 2023. Joel is then 56 years old, compared to 52 in the game.
The gruff but very endearing character played on the small screen by Pedro Pascal will therefore be 61 years old in season 2 of The Last of Us, and not 57 years old in Part 2. We will also be in the year of grace 2028 in the series . This age difference would also be a way for HBO to treat Joel in a different way compared to the original work. Tommy’s big brother would thus appear more mellowed by these additional years, but also more emotionally and physically vulnerable. We had already seen in season 1 cracks in this hard shell that the protagonist tries to keep to protect himself from too many post-apocalyptic horrors. Season 2 would aim to push this dynamic even further.
Another way to approach the relationship between Joel and Ellie
The relationship between Joel and Ellie would by extension be different from that we know in the games. Played by Bella Ramsey, she will also be 19 years old in the adaptation of The Last of Us. The young woman will thus be confronted with her own problems, with an adoptive father who wants to be more protective and thoughtful towards her. In any case, this is something to be curious about to see the result. However, we will have to wait until the first half of 2025, on HBO Max.