Between George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire books and The Last of Us video games, extensive and enthusiastic fan bases already existed, and have only grown as each show progresses. Both series have the rare ability to make each episode feel like an event that needs to be seen as soon as it becomes available to watch. After The Last of Us season 2, episode 2, the parallels between the two big-budget hit shows are even more apparent.
“Through The Valley” Feels A Lot Like "Hardhome" From Game Of Thrones Season 5
There Are Significant Parallels
A horde of infected attacking Jackson brings to mind Game of Thrones season 5, episode 8, "Hardhome." The memorable Game of Thrones episode sees the Night King and the Army of the Dead massacring the Free Folk and members of the Night's Watch at Hardhome in overwhelming force. "Through the Valley" and "Hardhome" see the human survivors fighting to survive as thousands of the undead suddenly descend on them while also contending with a perilous winter storm.
The Last Of Us Co-Creator Craig Mazin Confirmed He Was Inspired By “Hardhome”
The Episode Stuck With Him For An Important Reason
Prior to season 2's debut, The Last of Us co-creator and co-showrunner Craig Mazin confirmed that he was inspired by Game of Thrones' intense battle in "Hardhome." He discussed how what stood out to him the most in the episode was not the action, but the emotional moments of seeing the Free Folk woman Karsi becoming a wight, along with the Night King raising his arms as he added the freshly killed bodies to his army and stared down Jon Snow. Check out Mazin's comments below:
Certainly as a Thrones fanatic, I remember from watching “Hardhome” and not thinking about how complicated and impressive the action was. What I remembered was how moving and important the things that were happening inside the action were. That Wildling woman [Karsi], seeing her get turned, and seeing The Night King raise the dead and being like, “Hey, you and me, Jon Snow, we’re on a collision course, my friend, and the more you fight me, the worse it gets for you.” The desperation, the total loss.
That is really our philosophy about action. What’s the point? So in building this sequence, we were very ambitious because we just wanted to show how bad it could get. But always the question was: Why? What is this about, what does this change, and what does this mean for our people moving forward?
Jackson is, as we see in episode one, is growing, it’s expanding. There is a certain cockiness. They don’t seem particularly worried about the trouble outside. They’ve gotten a little complacent. They have a New Year’s Eve dance. They’re going to therapy,. They’re refurbishing homes. They’ve got patrols down to a science. On the other hand, you’re like: Guys don’t you know you’re living in a TV show?
The action in "Through the Valley" and "Hardhome" is impressive and ambitious, but the violent spectacle never overtakes the more personal stakes that Tommy, Jon Snow, and the rest of the characters are facing. The feeling of "desperation, the total loss" are what drives the episodes as the people of Jackson and the Free Folk lose loved ones and the false sense of security they had. Jackson is ultimately saved while Hardhome is lost, but this does not make The Last of Us episode any less brutal.
The Last Of Us' “Through The Valley” Is Even More Devastating Than “Hardhome”
Joel's Death Makes "Through The Valley" More Heartbreaking
As bleak as the Army of the Dead's massacre is, no major or fan-favorite characters are killed, as Jon Snow, Tormund Giantsbane, and Dolorous Edd escape, along with other survivors. Karsi is likable, and it is tragic to see her die and come back as a wight, but with this being her first episode, it is not the same as losing a main character. The future looks hopeless for Jon Snow and everyone else as the Night King stares him down and raises the dead, but there is some hope thanks to the characters who are still alive.
"Hardhome" is heartbreaking, but it cannot compare to the devastation of watching Joel's death in The Last of Us. "Through the Valley" ends with Joel being tortured and slowly killed in a gruesome fashion by Abby, and Ellie has to watch and is unable to save him. There are arguably parallels between this and Game of Thrones' protagonist Ned Stark dying in season 1, episode 9, "Baelor," while his daughter, Arya, helplessly watches and cannot save her father.
As harrowing as the episode is, it is poised to go down as one of the show's best, much like "Hardhome" is still regarded as one of the best Game of Thrones episodes.
