The unexpected change in ‘The Last of Us’ that goes far beyond Abby
Beyond the contextual story, the plot introduces a significant structural modification.
The first episode of ’The Last of Us’ season 2 is now available on HBO and begins in Jackson, just like the video game. However, as the showrunners had hinted, the story introduces new characters, modifies aspects of the protagonists, and makes significant structural changes that fans of the games will notice.
Spoiler alert from here on.
What happens with Abby in the first episode?
In The Last of Us Part II, Abby’s motivations are hidden for much of the game to maximize the impact of their reveal. However, the series takes a different approach. From the very first scene, viewers learn about Abby’s father and his fate, which sets her on a path of vengeance against Joel. This moment takes place at the burial site of the Fireflies killed by Joel, where Abby vows to kill him in the most painful way possible.
While the backstory remains the same—Abby is the daughter of the doctor Joel killed in the Fireflies’ lab—the series provides this context upfront. According to co-creator Craig Mazin, this was done to give viewers enough context, as the show doesn’t have the same extended gameplay sequences to explore Abby’s perspective.
Other major changes
Another notable change is the relationship between Dina and Joel. In the game, their interaction is minimal, but the series portrays them as having a close, almost father-daughter-like bond. This contrast highlights the growing distance between Ellie and Joel in the current timeline.
Episodes of ’The Last of Us’ are released weekly on Max.
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