You have reached your request limit for the hour

by

The second season of “The Last of Us” debuted over the weekend, offering fans a peek into the altered lives of characters Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey). Set five years after Season 1’s events, the premiere episode revisits the Jackson settlement initially encountered when Joel reunited with his brother Tommy (Gabriel Luna) in the past. For gamers who have played “The Last of Us Part II”, this setting is a remarkably accurate recreation of the initial hub that players traverse in the first part of the game. Similar to the video game, there’s even a delightful cameo from someone critical to both the games and the series production.

By the close of the initial episode, Ellie joins Dina (Isabela Merced) at a New Year’s celebration, where Jackson’s collective gathers to welcome the new year. Throughout these party scenes, a musician performing with the band is featured— coincidentally, this artist is Gustavo Santaolalla, who composed the music for the first two games and also contributes to the series. Not only does this Argentinian composer significantly shape the mood and style of The Last of Us through his music, but he was also a significant figure in Argentine Rock music.

Santaolalla is depicted playing the ronroco, a musical instrument much like the guitar that significantly contributed to the game soundtracks. This delightful in-game appearance of the artist responsible for its creation will surely be cherished by fans of The Last of Us‘s heartwarming score.

HBO’s ‘The Last of Us’ Seamlessly Weaves Cameos Into Its Narrative

In the enhanced PS5 version of The Last of Us Part II, just like before, there’s a tribute to Gustavo Santaolalla. He’s depicted as a character in Jackson, strumming a ronroco outside on a chair. This makes it seem almost inevitable that he’d be part of the HBO series. Impressively, the adaptation has brought on several important members from the game’s creative team. It’s not just about subtle nods—these inclusions often have more depth and significance than one might anticipate.

In the first season of The Last of Us, notable is the significant casting of Troy Baker and Ashley Johnson. Unlike their minor roles in the games, these actors who initially personified Joel and Ellie are assigned substantial parts in different episodes. Troy Baker portrays James, a member belonging to David’s cannibalistic group. Appropriately, Ashley Johnson plays Ellie’s mother in the climactic finale of season 1, delivering an incredibly moving scene where she gives birth to Ellie.

Looking forward to discovering additional guest appearances in the second season of “The Last of Us.” Given that Laura Bailey, known for her role as Abby in the “Part II” video game, might make an appearance, it seems plausible for fans to anticipate her involvement in upcoming episodes. Her potential part could be substantial, similar to the roles played by Baker and Johnson in season 1. All in all, it’s intriguing to observe creators who often remain unnoticed following video game adaptations receiving acknowledgment for their work in the original content.

Read More

2025-04-14 20:01