The pilot episode of HBO's The Last of Us immediately sets itself apart from the game by introducing a new perspective on the outbreak's origins through a talk show scene in the cold opening. This serves as a foreshadowing of the catastrophe that will ravage the world and sets the stage for the events to come. It also compliments the game, as it provides a deeper understanding of the outbreak and how it came to be, offering a fresh perspective on the game's introduction. This episode serves as a new entry point into the world of The Last of Us, introducing the characters, the world, and the story in a way that is both familiar and new.
We are then transported to Texas in 2003, where we meet Joel, his daughter Sarah (portrayed by Nico Parker), and his brother Tommy. The initial stretch of Sarah's story offers a glimpse of life before the impending pandemic, seen through her inquisitive teenage eyes. These early scenes do a fantastic job of relating us to a once familiar world and the key paternal relationship of Joel and Sarah, contextualizing key information in a brutally heartbreaking way. As the episode progresses and the outbreak wreaks havoc on the world, we see scenes from the game brought to life in the show. One of the most striking examples is when the episode shows the chaos from Sarah's point of view as she sits in the backseat of a truck, which is similar to the in-game camera positioning and serves as a nice nod to the game.
The scene also showcases Pedro Pascal's acting as he embodies both Joel's caring and ruthless nature. He demonstrates this by his willingness to do anything to protect his loved ones, even if it means leaving others to fend for themselves. This is evident in his refusal to assist a family in need by the side of the road (the truck bears a sticker indicating that he is a war veteran, which may lend credence to his worldview).
The episode then jumps twenty years later, to Boston 2023, where the mutated cordyceps fungus, aided by climate change, has ravaged the world. The Federal Disaster Response Agency (FEDRA) has established quarantine zones for survivors, but rules with an iron fist, executing those who try to flee. Inside the quarantine zone, Joel and his friend Tess have become expert smugglers, but things get interesting when they are double-crossed by a trader who has stolen a battery they were expecting and sold it to the Fireflies, a resistance group fighting against FEDRA. Now, the Fireflies see their deal has gone wrong, and Joel and Tess, seemingly desperate for what they wanted from the trader, decide to strike a deal with them to take Ellie (played by Bella Ramsey) along and hand her off to the Fireflies base, in return they would get their supplies in full.
The acting by the cast is outstanding, with Pedro Pascal as Joel capturing the character's brutality, and Bella Ramsey as Ellie, a perfect mix of innocence, naivety, and street smarts. In addition, Anna Torv as Tess, Gabriel Luna as Tommy (who sounds nearly identical to Jeffrey Pierce in the game), and Merle Dandridge reprising her role as the leader of the Fireflies, Marlene, are all spectacular. The episode also has a lot of action, with intense action set pieces, especially the one involving planes crashing into the frenzied streets, and dramatic moments that keep the audience on the edge of their seats. The production design is also noteworthy, as it accurately captures the game's established dilapidated streets, overgrown forests, and some freaky aftermaths of a fully mutated infected person attached to a wall that resembles a painting. The episode also strikes a great balance of suspense and tension, keeping the audience engaged throughout.
Overall, the pilot episode of HBO's The Last of Us sets up the emotional journey that we will take through the series. It immerses us in a familiar and new world, providing a new perspective on the game's introduction while maintaining its emotional power. The acting, action, and production design are all top-notch and work together to create a thrilling and emotionally charged first episode.