Warning: This article contains spoilers for The Last of Us Part II.Jesse’s parents never appear on-screen in The Last of Us games, but they’re so important to Jesse and Dina that they should have a major role in season 2 of the TV show. The Last of Us season 2 will begin to tackle the enormous, epic narrative of The Last of Us Part II, in which Ellie and her girlfriend Dina travel to Seattle to seek revenge and end up getting a lot more than they bargained for. Much like season 1, season 2 will have the opportunity to go beyond the confines of the game and explore other perspectives.
Series co-creator Craig Mazin has teased that The Last of Us season 2 will explore “unseen stories” from the game. This cryptic comment could be hinting at any number of narratives that take place in the background of The Last of Us Part II. The TV show could explore more of Lev and Yara’s life with their mom before leaving the Seraphites, or Isaac’s rise to power, or it could bring the tragic saga of Boris Legasov to life. There are two unseen characters from the game that would be perfect for a larger on-screen role in the TV adaptation.
The Last Of Us Season 2 Needs To Give Jesse's Parents An On-Screen Role
Jesse's Parents Are Two Of The Franchise's Most Lovable Characters (& They Don't Even Appear On-Screen)
Early in The Last of Us Part II, Dina mentions that she loves Jesse’s parents, and they’re like family to her. Even after she breaks up with Jesse, she tells Ellie that his mom and dad “will always be family.” It’s insinuated that Dina has lost her entire family – including her sister, with whom she was really close – and that Jesse’s family took her in as one of their own. But Jesse’s parents never actually appear on-screen. They’re mentioned in artifacts and gameplay dialogue and in Ellie’s journal, but they’re never seen (except in a photo on the mantle).
But even without appearing on-screen, Jesse’s parents are two of The Last of Us franchise’s most lovable characters. Since they’re such crucial characters in Jesse and Dina’s lives, the TV show should give them an on-screen role. The TV series has the opportunity to switch between different perspectives, and it’s not under the same pressure as a video game to get to the action as soon as possible. Jesse’s parents could appear in the early scenes at Jackson, or they could come to the farm to try to convince Dina to move back to town, as mentioned in Ellie’s journal.
Jesse's Mom's Letter To Dina Is One Of The Game's Most Heartbreaking Artifacts
Jesse's Mom's Letter Can Be Found On The Kitchen Table In Ellie & Dina's Farmhouse
In the epilogue of The Last of Us Part II, before Ellie heads to Santa Barbara, there’s a touching letter to Dina from Jesse’s mother Robin to be found at the farmhouse. It’s sitting on the kitchen table while Dina is washing the dishes, and she asks Ellie to put on some music. Along with the pair of letters from a husband and wife who both died while holding out hope for the other, this is one of the game’s most heartbreaking artifacts.
From this letter alone, it’s easy to see why Dina loves Jesse’s parents so much; they’re clearly wonderful people who don’t have a malicious bone in their bodies.
In the letter, Robin tells Dina that she doesn’t blame her for what happened to Jesse in Seattle, and neither would Jesse, and that if she, Ellie, and J.J. ever decide to come back to Jackson, there will always be a place for them. From this letter alone, it’s easy to see why Dina loves Jesse’s parents so much; they’re clearly wonderful people who don’t have a malicious bone in their bodies. In a world full of morally gray characters like Joel and Abby, it’s refreshing to see (or read the words of) someone with genuine humanity and empathy.
Giving Jesse's Parents A Bigger Role Will Help Develop Both Jesse & Dina
The Last Of Us TV Show Can Explore Jesse & Dina In More Depth
Giving Jesse’s parents an on-screen role in The Last of Us season 2 will help to develop both Jesse and Dina as characters. Since Dina goes on patrol with Ellie, follows Ellie to Seattle on her quest for revenge, and ultimately lives with Ellie on the farm, she already gets plenty of character development in the game. But Jesse is often criticized for being an underdeveloped character. He’s fiercely loyal to his friends – so much so that he’d risk life and limb helping them on a futile revenge quest – and he takes his job as Jackson’s patrol leader very seriously.
He’s presented as a really good guy, so his death is appropriately tragic, but there’s not much to the character beyond that. Introducing Jesse’s parents in The Last of Us season 2 would be a great way to round out his character. In the words of Ted Lasso, meeting someone’s mom is “like reading an instruction manual as to why they’re nuts.” Meeting Jesse’s mother Robin, who ad-libbed alternate endings to his favorite book The Root Child when he was a kid, would be more like reading an instruction manual as to why he’s such a good guy.
