HBO's much-anticipated adaptation of The Last of Us is set to premiere Jan. 15, 2023. Lead actors Pedro Pascal as Joel and Bella Ramsey as Ellie will have all eyes on them and a lot to live up to when portraying the two protagonists as they attempt to cope with the horrors of The Last of Us Part I and Part II.
With each heartbreaking and heartfelt moment, viewers will relive the powerful, unforgettable emotions that overcame them when they played the games. From the very beginning of the outbreak and Sarah's death, to escaping the Firefly Hospital to save Ellie, there are many key scenes the series can't overlook.
Joel And Ellie Seeing The Giraffes
As Ellie and Joel continue their cross-country trek later on in the game, they come across a peaceful moment with one of natures most gentle giant, the giraffes of Salt Lake City. The fleeting moment may seem insignificant, but it is an important bonding moment for the two survivalists.
These few minutes of tranquility are an unquestionable metaphor for hope in the sickening world of the game, proving that tenderness is still alive and well, even with zombies infesting the planet. The scene offers a new perspective of both the new reality, and Joel and Ellie's unique dynamic. Seeing such a beautiful and majestic creature, while the two share some laughs together would also be a welcome break for the show's audience, after so many devastating moments play out.
Sarah's Death
The very first awful death in one of the the best third-person horror video games, the murder of Joel's only daughter at the hands of a horrible soldier is the player's and Joel's first bitter taste of the new apocalyptic world in The Last of Us.
Watching the little girl fall into her father's arms after she is fatally shot, despite them escaping the hot zone of the outbreak unscathed, should be just as heart-wrenching in the show. Even more so, Pascal must highlight Joel's raw grief and helplessness when he wails in sorrow enough to convince viewers to shed a tear.
The Farmhouse Conversation
The most meaningful interactions inThe Last of Us Part I, fans of the game will be looking forward to this intense conversation between Joel and Ellie when they get to the farmhouse. Shunning Ellie from adopting a daughter role in his life after the death of his daughter, Joel decides to send Ellie away with Tommy, to which Ellie pours her heart out and attempts to convince Joel not to go.
While comparing herself to Joel's daughter, Ellie strikes a sensitive chord within the man, causing him to reject her and her sharp words.The unfortunate monologue will be difficult to land the same way Ashley Johnson was able to, but Bella Ramsey seems up to the challenge of nailing her desperation in the scene, and player's can't wait to see just how she'll go about this.
Tess' Last Stand
The selfless hero from the humble beginning of Joel and Ellie's time together, Tess, made sure that she wouldn't die for nothing, after being bitten while separated from them. At first, they protested against her sacrifice, but knew there was nothing they could do to stop or help her.
This genuine character must be cast well to showcase the great woman that was lost on that fateful day, giving her all to hold back the horde of zombies as Ellie and Joel fled the area. Unlike many other members of the Fireflies, Tess didn't do this just because Ellie was thought to be the key to a cure, but because she cared about her new friends. Players won't forget her heroism, and neither will the audience of the HBO series, if done right.
Ellie Killing David
When Ellie is forced to murder David with a machete to save herself and Joel, after being trapped inside a burning restaurant by David’s men, players were overtaken with a harrowing feeling. Though there is relief that Ellie is safe now, she wouldn't be the same little girl once the event unfolded.
Ellie's fall away from innocence is shown after, Joel trying to comfort her and cling to her innocence while holding her face in his hands, calling her his "baby girl." The profoundness of the scene cannot be overstated, as Joel accepts Ellie as his daughter in a poignant display, something that will need special attention in the show.
Joel Collapsing Off The Horse
After a group of looters ambushes Joel and Ellie, one of the drags Joel off a balcony, where he is impaled by a piece of rebar protruding from the ground. Trying to keep his cool for Ellie's sake, despite being in immense pain and bleeding profusely, Joel does his best not to frighten his adoptive daughter.
Though, by the time they have ridden away from danger, Joel collapses off of Callus and loses consciousness as Ellie begs him to stay awake and tell her how to help him. Fans recall the frantic pleads of Ellie combined with Joel's attempt at staying calm to be a great performance that they can't wait to see in the new show, since the voice acting was superb.
Joel Discovering The Truth
In the best voice acting performances of The Last of Us Part I, Troy Baker showcases his talent as a voice actor when Joel finds out the truth about the Fireflies' motive of keeping Ellie alive at any cost. After everything players had been through with the girl, the news was disheartening to say the least.
Knowing Ellie's death is the only known way of finding a cure to the infectious outbreak, Joel falls to his knees, telling the Fireflies to "find someone else." Pascal, having already acted as a man who lost his son in Wonder Woman 84, will have to give an amazing performance to compete with Baker's original portrayal.
Henry and Sam's Deaths
Henry and Sam are two characters who are memorable for their tragic story and unbreakable bond, something many are awaiting to witness in the HBO series. When Sam is separated from his brother and Joel, he is bitten, leaving his Henry with the responsibility of putting him out of his misery.
The tragedy gets worse after Henry commits suicide in a terrible reaction to his immediate, crushing grief. In order for the show's moment to keep its hopeless feeling to the same level as the game here will be quite tough, and watching it happen all over again after playing the game will be even more so.
Escaping The Firefly Hospital
The moment Joel puts his responsibility as a father over helping save the world with the Fireflies, all for the sake of Ellie's precious life. When Joel is forced to weave his way through the halls of the Firefly hospital while avoiding armed soldiers, a thematic element absorbs the entirety of the scene.
Running for both his and Ellie's life, Joel abandons any sense of logic and follows his heart for the first time since his daughter was killed, drawing strong parallels to the very beginning of the game. This polarizing part of The Last of Us will be crucial to the show, encasing every little thing that happened throughout game into a point, aiming right for the man who will have forever doomed humanity.
Joel's Death And The Day After
The murder of Joel by Abby, whose father Joel killed during his escape from the Firefly hospital, is the specific event that sets The Last of Us Part II into motion. The shock factor, which left players flabbergasted and full of sorrow just like Ellie, will be much less powerful in the HBO series.
However, the somber morning after will be just as important (if not more) to get right, especially Ellie mourning at Joel's grave. Realizing she won't see her adoptive father again, even after acting cold toward him at the beginning of the game, Ellie's desolation and misery at the loss must be portrayed to a T.