Things That Were Better In The Last Of Us HBO Show

Despite their initial video game projects being cute 3D platformers like Crash Bandicoot and Jak & Daxter, Naughty Dog has been responsible for some of the industry’s most compelling blockbuster stories. And perhaps none of them have resonated as much as The Last of Us, the post-apocalyptic zombie story that featured survivors Joel and Ellie on a cross-country trip to find a cure for humanity’s darkest hour. As expected, the cinematic nature of The Last of Us made it rather enticing to Hollywood, which resulted in a spectacular live-action HBO series starring Pedro Pascal as Joel and Bella Ramsey as Ellie.

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Consisting of nine episodes, The Last of Us adapted the events of the first game and the DLC Left Behind, but along the way, made a few changes to key events that ended up improving on these already iconic moments. Whether it was expanding the context or events leading up to it, or significantly changing the way entire moments unfolded, The Last of Us on HBO showed a keen appreciation of both the game and keeping things fresh for new audiences.

This list contains spoilers for both the video game and the HBO adaptation!

1

Joel’s Injury

Joel’s Life-Threatening Injury Feels More Organic In The HBO Series

Joel’s injury in the game happens as he and Ellie attempt to leave the University of Eastern Colorado following an attack by hostile survivors. He plummets off a railing and is impaled by a metal beam. It’s one of the most shocking moments in the entire game, but the HBO series takes a more down-to-earth approach, as Joel is stabbed in the gut in the episode “Kin,” having to escape with Ellie on horseback.

It feels much more natural, as the game version feels a bit more outrageous by comparison. The fall from a great height, coupled with how quickly Joel is back to his old self, fits well within the confines of a video game, but the show’s more grounded take makes his injury and recovery feel much better. It makes his eventual traversal through a blizzard to find Ellie when she’s abducted by David feel more honest, as well.

2

Sarah’s Death

Expanding Sarah’s Role Gives More Weight To Her Tragic End

In the opening moments of the game, Joel loses his daughter Sarah as she is gunned down by a soldier ordered to eradicate any possible signs of the infection. This all happens at a rather rapid pace, as players go from briefly controlling Sarah, then switching to Joel as she dies. And while it is still immensely powerful and heartbreaking, the HBO version of events benefits from a longer amount of time spent with Sarah, adding some weight to her eventual death.

The HBO series smartly adds more of Sarah in its debut episode, “When You’re Lost In The Darkness,” showcasing how strong her relationship with Joel is, even showing her going to get his broken watch fixed, all while the apocalypse begins to happen ominously in the background. It was a perfect way to open the series, as Joel’s loss is felt even more directly due to spending more time with Sarah in a normal teenage girl environment. The Last of Us changed quite a few things, but this was one of its smartest decisions.

3

Sam And Henry’s Journey With Joel And Ellie

Sam And Henry’s Haunting End Is Much Improved

In the video game, Henry and Sam meet Joel and Ellie during a hectic chase scene involving a machine gun that keeps them pinned down. Their harrowing journey together is punctuated by Sam becoming infected and then being killed by Henry, who then kills himself. Things operate far differently during the HBO series episode “Endure and Survive,” where Henry and Sam’s relationship is given not just more time to exist, but the two feel much closer and like actual loving siblings, as opposed to the somewhat antagonistic energy seen in the game.

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The combination of incredible acting, world-building, and emotional development causes players to genuinely care about these characters.

Watching Sam, who has been changed to be a bit younger and is deaf, play soccer with Ellie, then a sweet moment where they read a Savage Starlight comic together as they communicate with sign language is simply outstanding in all aspects. And once Sam becomes infected, the way the show handles his and Henry’s predicament feels far more meaningful. Spending more time with them, and seeing how well they bonded with Joel and Ellie, is simply a masterful move that brings an emotional conclusion to this excellent episode.

4

Tess’ Death

Tess’ Sacrifice For Humanity Hits Harder Than Ever

As Joel, Ellie, and Tess escape a museum filled with infected and clickers in The Last of Us, the video game sees this emotional death scene unfold in a similar way to the HBO series, but a key difference significantly alters the context. In both versions, Tess reveals she was bitten at the museum, and her desperate mood shift for Joel to take Ellie to the Fireflies remains the same. But with the episode “Infected,” instead of being hunted down by FEDRA, a large group of infected are on the way.

This slight change makes a lot of difference, as Tess’ sacrifice feels much larger and more important. In the game, she kills a few FEDRA soldiers before being gunned down, but the TV show sees Tess willing to do anything to keep Joel and Ellie safe from the infected, even blowing herself and the entire building up in the process. It’s a subtle change, but one that adds some meaningful impact to Tess’ death and solidifies the importance of Joel and Ellie’s mission.

5

Ellie Saves Joel From A Raider

One Of Ellie’s Defining Moments Feels More Impactful

Ellie growing up in the middle of an apocalypse certainly made her grow up faster than she should have, but there’s perhaps no moment as defining for her as when she shoots a raider to save Joel from certain death. It’s one of the most poignant moments in the entire game, showing the horrors that a scenario like this would place on a 14-year-old girl, and when it came time for the HBO series to retell this moment, they did so very well.

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The game version sees Ellie shoot a raider to save Joel from being drowned, and the aftermath sees her coming to terms with it, but as it’s a video game where shooting people is the goal, it is somewhat glossed over. The TV series has the shooting unfold in an episode called “Please Hold to My Hand,” where it happens in a different location and alters the context for the better, as Ellie doesn’t outright kill him and instead is forced to deal with the ramifications of violence. Joel’s reaction is also much better, as this softer version of the character by Pedro Pascal makes the scene feel more intimate, while Bella Ramsey’s performance following Ellie’s actions is spectacular.

6

Bill And Frank

The Largest Deviation From The Game Is Also Its Best

In the game, Bill is the cantankerous owner of a town located in Lincoln, Massachusetts that Joel and Ellie visit in their search for a car. This is one of The Last of Us’ most compelling sections, and is where it is revealed that Bill used to have a partner named Frank who hanged himself before he could turn. It is a fairly short moment, coming at the end of the chapter, where it is briefly talked about by Bill before he helps Joel and Ellie escape. This one moment is the basis for an entire episode in The Last of Us on HBO, where it massively improves not just the character of Bill, but is one of the best episodes of television ever produced.

In the episode “Long, Long Time,” Bill and Frank meet each other four years into the apocalypse, and their relationship blossoms naturally in the most beautiful way. It chronicles their nearly twenty-year relationship, all of its ups and downs, as well as its heartbreaking ending. It was a massive step forward for LGBTQ representation, as the game doesn’t entirely make their relationship obvious, whereas the HBO series showcases it perfectly. It also deviates rather largely from the game in some key ways, as Joel only meets Bill once and their trip through the town together doesn’t happen. Ultimately, however, it was a huge improvement, and the performances by Nick Offerman as Bill and Murray Bartlett as Frank are stellar.

Release Date

January 15, 2023

Showrunner

Craig Mazin