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🚨 Just in case you didn't read the headline, there are major spoilers for The Last Of Us Episode 2 in this article — but, of course, if you've played the video game, you're all good. 🚨
Right off the bat, the premiere of HBO's TV series adaptation of The Last Of Us impressed fans for being faithful to the video game and capturing the spirit of the characters.
Part of that is down to show creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann actually respecting the source material — I mean, I said this in my review of the first episode, but with the parallels between the video and the series being so spot on, it feels like The Last Of Us is a love letter to the gaming community.
Praise must also be given to the cast. While I was initially sceptical about Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, who play Joel and Ellie respectively, watching them interact and swap smart-ass banter during the second episode just reaffirmed how perfectly cast they are.
Speaking of Episode 2 — which is aptly titled "Infected" — this is where things started to go sideways. We get our first proper look at how the Cordyceps brain infection has mutated humans, turning them into savage, bloodthirsty creatures.
After a narrow escape from the infected, we learn that not all the characters have made it out unscathed, with Tess — Joel's smuggling partner-in-crime — revealing a bite wound on her shoulder.
Tess, played by Anna Torvs, is adamant that Ellie's immunity could lead to the development of a vaccine, and persuades Joel to believe in the possibility of having hope. As her parting gift to humanity, she sacrifices herself to distract an incoming group of infected so that Joel and Ellie can slip away.
Even though fans of the video game knew Tess' death was coming, it still left people (it's me, I'm people) heartbroken — especially since she had to go through that disturbing zombie kiss of death.
they didn’t have to let my mother go down like this??? like it’s just so NASTY??? even more sadder than the actual d0ath scene in the game. NEIL DRUCKMANN YOU ARE SO SICK #TheLastOfUs
tess the last of us
#TheLastOfUs THEY MADE TESS' DEATH EVEN SADDER WHAT THE HELL HBO 😭😭😭 Anna Torv performance was heartbreaking
Me seeing the bite on Tess even though I already knew that was going to happen #TheLastOfUs #TLOU
#TheLastOfUs me watching tess death as if i didnt go thru it 827371 times before
TESS THE REAL MVP OF THIS EPISODE WE WILL NEVER FORGET YOU MOTHER #TheLastOfUs
Me having to sit through the trauma of Tess revealing her bite for the 10th time and now having to watch a fungus tentacle freak snog her while she blows herself up: #TheLastOfUsHBO #TheLastOfUs
Neil Druckmann, we need to have words because I will forever be traumatised by "fungus tentacle freak" swapping saliva with poor Tess as she struggles to light the fuse that will set those zombies on fire.
Meanwhile in the game, Tess dies holding off invading FEDRA soldiers while Joel and Ellie make their escape. So, it's not as poignant, but still, there was no need to emotionally attack us when we're vulnerable, Neil.
With that being said, kudos needs to be given to Anna Torv's performance. Although we only had her as Tess for two episodes, she left an immeasurable impact that had me hoping she would somehow make it through (even though I knew what was going to happen, but I just wanted to see more of Anna, you know?).
ANNA TORV ATE AND LEFT NO CRUMBS #TheLastOfUs