Warning: MAJOR spoilers ahead for The Last of Us Part II game, which will likely spoil The Last of Us season 2 and beyond.Photos from The Last of Us season 2's set have convinced me that I know where in the story the next run of episodes will conclude, and if I'm right, I hope HBO knows what it's doing. I'm a big fan of The Last of Us Part II, the game on which season 2 will be based, so I'm keenly aware of all the plot twists and general storylines that are likely to be replicated in the continuation of the live-action adaptation. The same was also true regarding my knowledge of The Last of Us season 1's ending.
The length of the game means The Last of Us season 3 (and possibly beyond) will be required to do the story justice in its new form. Therefore, The Last of Us season 2's story needs to decide where to leave the audience wanting more. If my theory about when this may be is true, then the show must be careful. One of the game's biggest moments could set the stage for a massive cliffhanger ahead of The Last of Us season 3's release. However, if so, I'm worried it could actually hurt the show overall if handled incorrectly.
I'm Worried That The Last Of Us Season 2 Will End With The Game's Theater Scene
The Last of Us Part II's theater scene is one of the game's most pivotal moments
The Last of Us season 2 set photos show Bella Ramsey's Ellie and Young Manzino's Jesse interacting in what looks like a key moment from the second game. The attention to detail is impressive, but one actor's absence concerns me. Kaitlyn Dever has been cast as Abby, one of the main "antagonists" in The Last of Us Part II. In the game, Abby's murderous rampage through the theater is one of the game's biggest turning points. Dever's absence from the set photos makes me think her appearance won't be until the very end of season 2.
If I'm right, then Abby's execution of Jesse would be The Last of Us season 2's most logical stopping point.
If I'm right, then Abby's execution of Jesse would be The Last of Us season 2's most logical stopping point. In the source material, this is where Ellie is left behind, and the player is forced to play as Abby. It's a huge moment, and I remember it brilliantly calling into question the definition of what it means to be a villain. Using the moment as a cliffhanger instead means Abby's story won't be addressed in season 2 other than through Ellie's eyes - which makes Abby seem absolutely like the villain that I'm not sure she is.
The Last Of Us Needs To Walk A Fine Line With Abby If This Is Where Season 2 Ends
The Last Of Us season 2 may need to plant the seed of Abby's moral ambiguity earlier than the game
There's no question that until I was forced to play as Abby in the game, I saw her character as nothing but a villain - and I'm sure I'm not alone in that assessment. My view of Abby transformed during her levels, and I'm sure the live-action adaptation of the story will eventually get around to doing the same thing. That being said, if The Last of Us season 2 is concentrating on Ellie's three-day rampage through Seattle, then there won't be much room for Abby's story to be shown too, despite the fact it's actually happening alongside Ellie's.
I think what's more likely is that some of the more redeeming elements of Abby's story will be woven through the structure of the show while Ellie's arc unfolds
I can't imagine Dever's sole appearance in The Last of Us season 2 will be during Joel's murder scene. Instead, I think what's more likely is that some of the more redeeming elements of Abby's story will be woven through the structure of the show while Ellie's arc unfolds. If so, the show needs to be very careful not to blow the illusion ahead of time of Abby being a textbook, bloodthirsty villain. She isn't, but part of what made the experience of learning that in the game was the fact it came immediately after Jesse was killed.
Why Saving Abby's Story Until Season 3 Could Hurt The HBO Series
Fewer people may want to watch The Last of Us episodes centered entirely around Abby
If The Last of Us season 2 ends before Abby's motivations can be fully explored, then that drastically increases the likelihood of The Last of Us season 3 focusing almost entirely on Kaitlyn Dever's character. In the game, Abby is a thoroughly unlikeable character until the perspective switches after the theater scene. If the show faithfully replicates this attitude toward her, then there could be far fewer people willing to tune in and watch the following season if it's all about Abby.
As a fan of the games, I'd still be very excited to see how Abby's story is adapted for TV. However, not all the show's fans are familiar with the source material. So, the writers can't rely too heavily on the portion of the fan base that knows what's coming. If they do, then the ratings for The Last of Us season 3 could plummet as a result of the audience being forced to watch episodes revolving around someone they don't like, which could in turn throw the show's overall future into jeopardy.
