In what is probably the best The Last of Us episode of the season so far, we have moved into territory that is less controversial when it comes to comparisons to the game. In fact, you could argue that as of this week, at least some things are actually improving on the game in a few ways, which is almost hard to imagine.
At this point, the changes from the show to the game, or how certain game moments are handled, are often excellent and showing how you can improve a hugely cinematic game at times. So, what am I referring to?
Isaac – Jeffrey Wright’s Isaac has already made a much more significant impression in the show, from his opening grenade-based betrayal of his team to the brutal torture of the Seraphite. At this point, he’s almost already had more screen time than he did in the actual game, which is good in terms of building him up as another villain besides Abby.
Seraphites – We haven’t seen too much of them yet, but the scene with the imprisoned man was excellent, from his explanation of how WLF members leave to join their cult, while no one ever leaves their group, to holding out his other hand to be burned were just fantastic moments.
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Dina – I’ve said this before but Isabela Merced’s Dina is running circles around the impact of game Dina at this point. She’s simply a better realized, more engaging character as this week and her wild swings from adoring Ellie playing guitar with her tremendous facial acting to her shock and horror at Ellie being bitten.
Take On Me – Partially because of Dina, partially because of Bella Ramsey really starting to coalesce into the role, this had just as much emotional impact as the game, if not more so, which is impressive given that it was one of the most iconic moments of the source material.
TV Station – This is one of those “this has to be different than the game” sequences, but it lands better when you’re not having them skulk around for fifteen minutes picking off ten guards. This, plus the subsequent escape into the subway tunnels felt more urgent and harrowing. The nature of a TV show can help with that. I was less sure about the attack on the town, but this felt like a better way to insert action while staying true to the game.
Finally at this point, I am not going to say Bella Ramsey is better than game Ellie, and I’m not sure they ever will be, but they’ve done a really great job coming into the role in season two. I know Ramsey was desperately concerned about looking different for the time jump, but they’ve really come into their own at this point in the season, perhaps peaking with Take On Me.
The show will never be a perfect aspect of the games, and it still is missing on a number of fronts (we’re seeing Isaac scenes but zero minutes of Abby?), but in some ways, it’s improving things.
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