The long-awaited adaptation of The last of us premiered last Sunday evening (15) on HBO and HBO Max. The series had a very well-rounded, structured first episode worthy of the $15 million budget. In this sense, the pilot presents what is most important during the course of the game: the establishment of the pre, during and post-apocalyptic context. If a good storyteller does not spend hours getting used to another universe, we can say that Neil Druckman and your team they did their part very well.

The first 20 minutes of the episode plunge you into an anxiety-provoking atmosphere. the performance of Pedro Pascal it’s from Nico Parker take you on a tortuous path to understand that this is not just an apocalypse. Thus, the daily scenes flow in a great chaos that triggers the place of action of the plot. However, the scenes would be of no use if the performance of the first two leads were not aligned by progressive affection.

Hats off as they showed the first signs of infection. You don’t need the zombie recipe to associate that the fungus is already taking over the organism of living beings. In this way, the team uses small cues, terror, despair, grief, and overlapping scenes before the real moment of The Last of Us begins.

For those who have already played, the feeling of nostalgia has been a companion throughout the episode. As much as the series proposed to explore the universe differently, as much the fidelity with the game shows great precision between the scenes. In this way, it is possible to see that there is not only a very careful direction there, but also a team that works together to think about the dynamics of sameness.

Spoiler alert!

The moments following the outbreak of the apocalypse form a delightfully turbulent action sequence. Previously, Joel and Tommy (Gabriel Luna) take the reins of the succession of moments that will count on Sarah’s despair to come out alive from the impending destruction of the city. Thus, in a few lines, the first great moment of the game The Last of Us is reproduced identically, until, finally, tearing old and new tears with the death of Sarah.

The 20-year time jump to 2023 may seem abrupt at first, as it takes you out of the comfort zone of grief. Simultaneously, we are inserted into the role of Joel, in a quarantine zone controlled by the FEDRA, where the rigid system of laws and survival is unconventional. From there, the series introduces us to Tess (Anna Torv), Joël’s companion, who brings a little more identity to the housing context. In addition, the series also introduces Ellie, her first reactions and the strong personality that Bella Ramsay conveyed very well.

Os Vagalumes begins its actions from the first episode, which gives them a political and identity look. Thus, it seems that, at first, you have to choose a side, agree with someone or even define your position, when in fact the two groups are already showing their rot and their failures. Similarly, the scenario appears with Marlene (Merle Dandridge), the character who gives Joel and Tess the mission to get by with Ellie (Bella Ramsey).

With Tommy absent in this setting and no news, the protagonists’ campaign becomes overloaded. Thus, take Ellie to the final destination, and from there collect supplies to find Tommy.

Synthesis

The Last of Us pilot did everything he promised. The series demonstrates good fidelity to the games, enhancing the journeys and the experience of being immersed in the universe of the franchise. In short, for a first episode, The Last of Us has managed to build a new standard. In this way, the series has understood what it means to go beyond the game, it is to show the details, it is to be faithful to the feelings of the characters, it is to bring a new spectator and invite him to live the full experience. of someone who spent hours and nights fleeing infected people.