The Last of Us episode 2 continued on from the premiere episode, both in terms of narrative and production by making some changes to the game on which it is based. Narratively, The Last of Us episode 2 picked up from the cliffhanger ending of episode 1, with Joel, Tess, and Ellie heading into the dangerous world outside the Boston QZ. This perilous mission is all in an effort to deliver Ellie to the Fireflies so Joel and Tess can be compensated and search for the former's brother, Tommy.
The Last of Us episode 2 also continued with the premiere's faithfulness to the original game. That being said, while The Last of Us episode 1 retained the broad strokes of the game, some changes were made in order to further flesh out the surrounding characters and story of The Last of Us. Episode 2 followed on from this, featuring both huge similarities yet notable differences to properly adapt and even improve upon the beloved 2013 video game.
7 Last Of Us Episode 2’s Jakarta Opening Changes Infection Origin
Undoubtedly the biggest change made for HBO's The Last of Us from the game is in episode 2's opening sequence. In the original game, the origins of The Last of Us' fungi Cordyceps infection are largely shrouded in mystery. While some details on the infection's origin can be found through collectibles and other interactive elements in the game's many environments, the infection's origins are never a true focus of the story.
In The Last of Us TV show, however, the infection's origin has been focused on in much more depth. This only continued with The Last of Us episode 2's Jakarta opening. The opening section of episode 2 centers on Professor Ratna, a Mycology expert from the University of Indonesia. In this sequence, Ratna discovers that the main epicenter of the Cordyceps infection came from a grain factory in Jakarta, which acted as a substrate for the fungi to infect humans. While the idea of the infection spreading worldwide through wheat-based products can be discovered in the game, it is said to originate in South America.
However, in switching this to Jakarta, Indonesia, HBO's The Last of Us links closer to the real-world Cordyceps fungi. Cordyceps is largely found in Asia, which explains why The Last of Us episode 2 features Indonesia as the main outbreak location of the infection. This sequence not only further develops the origin of the fungi Cordyceps' infection of The Last of Us, but works to both foreshadow future events of the story while serving as a chilling, impeccably crafted cold opening for episode 2.
6 HBO's Last Of Us Introduces Tendrils Instead Of Spores
The Last of Us episode 2 also introduces another big change to HBO's series from the original game: tendrils. In HBO's The Last of Us, tendrils replace the game's concept of spores. Spores are found in various dark, often underground sections of the game that can transmit the Cordyceps infection aerially and require characters to wear gas masks in order to avoid this outcome. However, early on in The Last of Us' production, co-creators Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin opted to remove this concept entirely and replace spores with tendrils.
Tendrils are more emulative of real fungal habitats, which can be connected across vast spaces. As established in The Last of Us episode 2, the infection spreads outwardly from its hosts by protruding tendrils of the fungus across different environments. These tendrils make the infected act like a hive mind, being connected over long distances. This is shown in The Last of Us episode 2's final sequence when Joel executes an infected Firefly and alerts the horde in downtown Boston to their location.
5 Joel Is Not Separated From Tess & Ellie
Another seemingly smaller change comes in The Last of Us episode 2's museum section. In the game, Joel is separated from Tess and Ellie which results in Tess being bitten. In The Last of Us episode 2, however, Joel is only separated from Tess and Ellie for a matter of moments and within the same space, only apart due to facing off with two of Last of Us's iconic zombies: Clickers. This differs from the game's concept of fallen debris completely isolating Tess and Ellie from Joel for an extended period.
4 Tess Is Bitten By A Clicker Rather Than A Runner
Another subtle difference featured in The Last of Us episode 2 comes in the form of Tess' bite. In the game, the aforementioned separation ends with Joel finding a Runner attacking Tess. While the game does not make it clear this is when Tess was bitten, eagle-eyed players can see the Runner's head on Tess' shoulder before being pushed off. In The Last of Us episode 2 though, it is a Clicker that bites Tess, with the show providing no hints towards this outcome outside of Tess' increased bitterness and desperation after this sequence.
3 The State House Fireflies Were Killed By Infected, Not FEDRA
An additional The Last of Us game change is featured once Joel, Tess, and Ellie reach the State House in The Last of Us episode 2's ending. Upon reaching the State House, the trio finds the Fireflies dead thanks to infection. Joel deduces that one of the squad was infected, which resulted in the healthy fighting the infected, with everybody losing. This differs from The Last of Us game, in which the Fireflies were killed by FEDRA agents who found the rebel group hiding out.
2 Joel Is Taking Ellie To Bill & Frank, Not Tommy
In The Last of Us game, the State House sequence ends with Tess imploring Joel to take Ellie to Tommy's. Tess states that Tommy's previous Firefly connections would mean he knows where to take Ellie. The Last of Us episode 2 ending differs from this slightly, with Tess telling Joel to take Ellie to Bill and Frank, who will take Ellie off Joel's hands. This is likely a change made to make Bill and Frank's The Last of Us story more integral, as opposed to the simple stop-off on Joel's journey to find Tommy in the game.
1 Tess’ Last Stand Is Against An Infected Horde
The final major change from the original game found in The Last of Us episode 2 comes with Tess' final stand. In the game, the FEDRA soldiers that killed the Fireflies return to the State House to search for Joel, Tess, and Ellie. Tess tells the duo to leave while she buys them time, which results in her being killed by the soldiers. The Last of Us episode 2 changes Tess' ending for the better, with the character facing off against the infected horde. Tess' Last of Us death comes from her blowing up the State House, successfully getting revenge against the infected while buying Joel and Ellie time to escape.
New episodes of The Last of Us release every Sunday on HBO.