Living With B

Five years after the events in Salt Lake City, a now 19-year-old Ellie discovers while on patrol with her best friend Dina. In Jackson Hole, Joel seeks help to mend his relationship with Ellie.

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my thoughts

Ever since I finished the first season, I’ve been craving the second. The dark, gritty, twisty world of The Last of Us just pulls you in—it’s hard not to want more. Denver played the second game before, so I kind of knew what might be coming, but still… I was ready!

Right off the bat, we’re not picking up exactly where we left off. It’s been five years, and the time jump is clear. We’re introduced to new faces—some friendly, some very much not—and we catch up with familiar ones too! New relationships are forming, while others are strained.

Season 1 centered on the growing bond between Ellie and Joel, so it’s hard to see them barely spend time together this time around. Their relationship feels fractured—reduced to sharp outbursts and cold, dismissive looks. It hurts to watch.

Pascal continues to surpass expectations as Joel. In the first episode, he’s softer, leaning into this “Uncle Joel” version of himself as he tries to settle into a more peaceful life. You can feel the years in him—he’s aged, slowed a bit, and seems more reflective.

Ramsey has noticeably grown as an actor since Season 1. Ellie is still as stubborn and impulsive as ever, but she has a good heart. She’s been through so much, and it shows. She keeps swinging, right from her first moment on screen.

Now, I didn’t play the game myself, but I did watch Denver play—and let me tell you, the Stalkers? Terrifying. Being introduced to them in the first episode had me on edge. That crown of mushrooms on her head? Yeah, no thanks. Nightmare fuel.

One thing I noticed is that the show isn’t following the game’s structure exactly. A lot of the same events happen, but not in the same order. Instead of using flashbacks, we’re seeing things play out chronologically, which honestly helps me follow the story more clearly. I do miss the slightly chaotic, out-of-order feel of the game, but this change makes sense for TV—and I think it works.

final thoughts

The premiere feels like the calm before the storm. Even in just one episode, we’re given these little breadcrumbs hinting at what’s to come. It does a great job reintroducing us to the world—both familiar and changed. It’s beautiful to see where Joel and Ellie call home now, but we also start to see the cracks in their relationship. That tension lays the groundwork for the rest of the season, and I can’t wait to see how it all unfolds.

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