As a cinephile who has spent countless hours delving into various realms of cinematic storytelling, I must say that HBO’s adaptation of The Last of Us stands out as one of the most captivating and thought-provoking series I have come across in recent years. While many zombie stories rely on the tried-and-true formula of a sudden, mysterious outbreak, this show takes a refreshing approach by gradually unraveling the intricacies behind the Cordyceps infection.
In HBO’s “The Last of Us,” we were introduced to an unprecedented type of zombie narrative where the cause of the outbreak is revealed right from the start. Featuring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, this series unfolds 20 years after a fungus outbreak transforms most of humanity into zombies. Joel Miller, a man who assists the resistance group, the Fireflies, for certain obligations, encounters a teenage girl named Ellie along his journey. However, she might just possess the solution to ending the pandemic permanently.
Regardless of whether you’re a longtime admirer of the initial games or just started watching the HBO series, the source of the infection can seem rather mysterious as many details are presented subtly. Although the show gradually reveals the secret bit by bit in each episode, certain aspects of the Cordyceps Infection still prove challenging to comprehend. Therefore, let’s clarify: What exactly initiated the infection in The Last of Us?
The Origin of Cordyceps Infection in The Last of Us Series
In the beginning, The Last of Us takes place in 2003 when information was primarily shared through television and newspapers, so not much detail was given in the initial episode except for the global spread of an infection causing a nationwide crisis. Fast forward to 20 years later, Joel shares with Ellie his suspicion that the infection might have been transmitted via contaminated food items like flour and sugar, although this is more of his hypothesis. This idea aligns with a scene in the series’ first episode where Joel and Sarah consciously avoid consuming any flour-based foods such as biscuits and cakes.
In the second episode, a researcher in Jakarta uncovers a case of a human infected with the Ophiocordyceps fungus – something that was believed not to occur. It’s suggested that this contagion may have stemmed from a vast flour and grain factory, as its goods were distributed globally. While the exact source remains undetermined (most likely in Asia), it’s clear that the outbreak can be traced back to tainted flour products. However, video games offer a unique take on Cordyceps infections with their portrayals.
How the Games Describe the Origin of Infection
Initially, the “The Last of Us” series is set in a different decade. The initial outbreak in the story happened in 2013, and the plot jumps forward 20 years due to a time skip. Interestingly, the source of the Cordyceps infection in the game was reported by a local newspaper at Joel’s house, stating that the infection spread through crops contaminated with mold, primarily originating from South America. Here is the article:
The Food and Drug Administration is still probing crops suspected of having mold contamination throughout the U.S. Initially, a list cautioning against imported crops from South America was circulated among vendors nationwide, but the investigation has now expanded to cover crops from Central America and Mexico as well. Some companies have already taken the initiative to pull their food products from store shelves on a voluntary basis.
In this adaptation, there are some minor discrepancies compared to the TV series, such as the lack of a direct connection between the infection and flour/sugar, and an origin point in Asia instead of South America. However, both the games and the show have generally chosen to keep certain details vague for the sake of preserving an enigmatic atmosphere throughout the main storyline.
Could a Cordyceps Outbreak Happen in Real Life?
A recurrent curiosity among enthusiasts of video games and TV programs revolves around whether a Cordyceps-like infection could ever manifest in reality. It seems our morbid fascination with the apocalypse or dread of impending danger might be the reason for this ongoing debate, but scientists have reassured us that a zombie outbreak similar to what’s portrayed in The Last of Us is highly unlikely. In the storyline, the Cordyceps infection progresses through four distinct stages: loss of cognitive function (Stage One), alteration of vision (Stage Two), facial scarring and blindness (Stage Three), and the growth of hardened fungal plates that emit infectious spores (Stage Four).
While the concept of zombie-like transformation depicted in “The Last of Us” might appear eerily realistic, it’s essential to remember that this is a work of imagination significantly amplifying the true nature of Cordyceps fungus. The Ophiocordyceps Unilaterals, as mentioned in Episode 2 of “The Last of Us,” is indeed a real-life parasite that manipulates certain insects, causing them to lose control and seek suitable environments for fungal growth. However, it’s important to note that these fungi do not infect humans; they target insects exclusively. As stated by Scott Roberts, an assistant professor of medicine at Yale School of Medicine, this is a crucial distinction between the real world and the fictional one presented in “The Last of Us.
Most fungi and molds found in nature don’t pose any harm to humans, and this Cordyceps is one of them. It specifically infects a certain type of ant, not other species of ants.
Although he asserts that the Ophiocordyceps parasite does not pose a threat to humans, Roberts also underlines the potential impact of climate change on ecosystems, suggesting we should remain cautious about such changes. In your question, you’re essentially asking if it’s possible for a zombie-like epidemic like in The Last of Us to occur in reality. While I can’t say with certainty that such an event will happen, the concept is largely fictional and not supported by current scientific evidence regarding infectious diseases and their impact on humans.
The Last of Us is now streaming on Max.
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2024-10-18 00:01