Adaptation of works such as plays, novels and plays to serials or films often has negative consequences. However, The Last of Us series, which was released as a game in 2013; When the production of HBO was shaped by the creativity of Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, a series emerged that surprised and delighted everyone.
For me and anyone like me who haven’t played The Last of Us, the series opens a different window compared to the post-apocalyptic stories we’ve seen and watched many times before. There are no creatures in this narrative, no simple revenge scenarios. The setting of the story, the in-depth narrative of the characters, the aims of the post-apocalyptic formations and above all the human relations serve to set up the series’ universe perfectly.
Note: Our review contains spoilers for the season.
The bond between Joel, the smuggler, and Ellie, who needs to be delivered to the address, forms the basis of the story.
The main story of The Last of Us tells the journey of a smuggler named Joel and a girl named Ellie who needs to be delivered to the address in a universe where people have been infected with the fungus pandemic and become monsters for twenty years. The challenges facing our heroes on this journey are not just infected monsters, but FEDRA, which is under the rule of the state, Fireflies against FEDRA, looters, religious cults and many more.
In other words, unlike many post-apocalyptic stories, the enemies fought in this universe are not just “monsters” but “other humans”. In this way, The Last of Us deepens the universe of the story layer by layer, while allowing us to feel the tension of Joel and Ellie’s journeys at all times. In the obstacles encountered, the information we learn about Joel and Ellie provides a deep narrative structure to the characters, while making the story coherent and comprehensive.
New stories and characters unlocked in each episode serve the story universe and strengthen the plot.
But in The Last of Us, the story doesn’t just end with defeating the boss. In fact, the series, which makes room for a different story and character in most episodes, differs from many post-apocalyptic stories in this aspect as well. These stories are neither of monsters, nor of FEDRA, nor of Fireflies.
The characters and stories we meet in the episodes allow us to get to know Bill and Frank, whom we witness love and its healing power even though the epidemic takes over everywhere, the farm where Tommy and his friends live in a communal life, and Ellie’s love that ends in a mall amusement park. Although the world has come to an end in The Last of Us, the side stories illuminate the universe of the story with the lights that a new order can be established and love can be everywhere. However, it leaves spaces for the viewer to breathe.
Of course, apart from the breathtaking stories and characters, there are also narratives that make the universe even more suffocating and uncanny. In the fifth episode, the two brothers Henry’s killing his infected brother Sam and then committing suicide, and the religious cult leader we meet in the eighth episode, even though he initially puts the audience in a safe circle, the fact that he is a pedophile deviant who eats human flesh gives life to the tension veins of the series. In this threatening universe where there is little to be surprised about, The Last of Us, in which we watch LGBTI+ representation, a communal life can be established, and the reflection of human emotions on relationships, brings along an original narrative with both its main story and side stories.
In a dark dystopia, the action camera and well-edited sound mixing complete the atmosphere of the series.
Of course, one of the key elements of success in The Last of Us’ story and character narration is the use of image and sound that is not excessive. The fact that the camera is mostly moving allows us to directly identify with Joel and Ellie, allowing us to live the story step by step as they did.
In addition to these, even the slightest sound we hear in an uncanny universe, even in moments that would not surprise us, manages to keep us on our toes throughout the season. In fact, the sound and music are so natural and used in the story that they appear as a part of the story rather than the elements that increase the dramatic effect.
The universe of The Last of Us is set up so perfectly that its missing parts melt into the narrative.
The Last of Us offers a perfect viewing experience in terms of the setup of the story, the in-depth structure of the characters and events. However, in this narrative, which consists of introduction, development and conclusion parts, the series sometimes reaches such a climax that it sometimes leaves us halfway through without breathing, without reaching the end, and ends the episode. We are left with the feeling that some stories are half and incomplete.
However, despite all these shortcomings, the universe and the narrative of the series become so gripping that we, like Joel and Ellie, leave everything behind and move on to the next episode. With the first season being so well established, we are all looking forward to the second season.
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