The Last of Us My introduction to this remarkable story began quite a long time ago. Once, I happened to watch a playthrough of the game presented as a series of edited clips that essentially formed a full animated film. I won’t analyze the game itself here, since this text is about the TV series, but I do want to note that the story of the main characters, the game’s setting, and the way the plot unfolds deeply resonated with me. So when I accidentally learned that a television adaptation of "The Last of Us" was in development, I felt genuinely excited, knowing I would get to see a new screen version of a story I had grown fond of. The series turned out to be an impressive creation for me, one that adapts the game exceptionally well. It’s a gripping survival story set in a post-apocalyptic world. The lead roles went to Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, who at first seemed to many viewers (myself included) not entirely fitting choices in terms of visual resemblance to their game counterparts. However, once I started watching the first season, all attempts at comparison quickly faded away. The acting is excellent, and the characters of Joel and Ellie appear slightly altered, perceived somewhat differently, but by the middle of the season they became just as dear as their game versions. The actors perform at the highest level, conveying every emotion, feeling, and nerve of the story. The series follows a group of survivors in a world infected by a fungus that turns people into bloodthirsty monsters. The main characters must go through countless trials, survive, and reach a distant destination to which fate leads them across vast territories. The story from the game is transferred to the series with great care, allowing the viewer to fully immerse themselves in the world created by the developers. It’s clear that the entire team worked hard to preserve the game’s atmosphere. Beautiful visual solutions are sometimes directly borrowed, but the creators don’t overuse this approach, still presenting a story that stands on its own. Anyone can understand and connect with it, not just those familiar with the game. The series is clearly designed for a broad audience, avoiding the common pitfalls of adaptations where references, situations, or characters are understandable only to players. That’s why I can confidently recommend "The Last of Us" to everyone, not just gamers. The project features many characters portrayed by different actors. They are well written, and every person Ellie and Joel encounter along their journey teaches them—and the audience—something new and important: how to be a good friend even in the harsh society that has formed, how to help others in difficult situations even if they are strangers (though strangers here are usually dangerous), and finally, how to love and build a life with those you care about, even when it seems impossible under the circumstances. Each episode manages to show something new and meaningful: the relationship between brothers Joel and Tommy, Henry and Sam, the unforgettable bond between Joel as a father and his daughter Sarah, the friendship between Ellie and Riley, Joel and Tess, the love of a couple who lived together for years—perhaps a whole lifetime—and the dynamics between different groups of people. But of course, the most central and compelling story is the meeting of Ellie and Joel, which turns both of their lives upside down. At first, they distrust each other, then learn to live side by side on their journey, and eventually begin to protect one another from danger. Each of them has lost far too much in the past, and learning to let new people close is incredibly difficult. The world of the series is simply too dangerous—it takes away those you love. The series isn’t just an exciting adventure. It also speaks about important themes such as family, friendship, and love. The main characters face countless trials, yet they never lose hope or faith in their ability to survive in this world. Despite being set in a post-apocalyptic reality with monsters and zombie-like creatures, the project clearly shifts its focus toward relationships between people. This is a major advantage compared to famous examples like "The Walking Dead" by Frank Darabont, which ran for over ten seasons and spent much of its later years focusing on endless clashes with hordes of zombies. That approach isn’t necessarily bad, but The Last of Us feels fundamentally different to me. It’s a story about people in a world of monsters, not monsters in a world of people. From the second season onward, other important characters appear, many of them familiar from the game’s sequel. The story largely follows the canon, revealing many iconic moments. I’d like to highlight the introduction of Abby, played by Kaitlyn Dever. Her performance is solid—she brings energy to the role—but in my opinion, she doesn’t fully match the image one might expect when familiar with Abby from the game. Yes, I admit I’m biased here; comparing the game and the series is unavoidable for me. Still, the character is strong and extremely important to the overall story. Other actors are also very good: Gabriel Luna, Anna Torv, Nico Parker, Isabela Merced, Young Mazino, Catherine O’Hara, and others. Strong direction and high-quality visual effects create a convincing, realistic atmosphere. The visuals are excellent and support the story in a thoughtful way. In addition, the soundtrack composed by Gustavo Santaolalla adds another layer of depth to the series. The sound is beautiful, with lingering melodies that evoke a sense of sadness and even nostalgia—for the past of those people who have been living in this world for over twenty years after the outbreak that nearly depopulated the planet. "The Last of Us" is a powerful work—a series that deeply moved me and successfully repeated the impact of the original game. It conveys important emotions and shows that love and hope can exist under any circumstances. 9 out of 10

killed off Pedro Pascal, why even watch now?

The little diversions from the source material is still really interesting