The Last of Us Season 2 Battle Is a Shocking Game of Thrones Tribute You Didn’t See Coming

by

During its initial run, the show The Last of Us faced an unanticipated wave of criticism for having too little action. However, the creators aimed to put more focus on developing the relationships within the series. As Mazin explained when defending this decision along with Neil Druckmann, much of the action wasn’t deemed essential in terms of adding depth or significance. For The Last of Us, connections between characters were crucial, but that didn’t prevent them from ramping up the action to a scale comparable to Game of Thrones for Season 2.

The television series “Game of Thrones” was exceptional, particularly when it came to battle sequences, even in dim lighting. These scenes were intense, captivating, and above all, enjoyable to watch. It’s no surprise that the second episode of “The Last of Us Season 2,” directed by Mark Mylod (also from “Game of Thrones”), carries a similar enchantment. The attack on Jackson, where a multitude of infected breach the community’s walls, was an exhilarating spectacle that left viewers in awe.

Hardhome Is Inspiration for the Battle at Jackson

During Season 2, Episode 2 titled “Through the Valley,” the intensity of the conflict at Jackson significantly escalates. Initially, it was merely a drill to prepare for potential assaults. However, what they anticipated was far less severe than the onslaught that transpired. A horde, possibly numbering in the hundreds or thousands, of infected swarmed towards Jackson’s fortifications. The humans found themselves outnumbered and underpowered compared to their relentless adversaries. Firearms had minimal impact on the infected horde, leaving Tommy with no choice but to confront them alone. The weather only slowed down the humans, offering no resistance to the unyielding infected hordes.

Fans of Game of Thrones will quickly recognize the wintry setting and rabid-infected scene as a tribute to the Battle at Hardhome from Season 5, Episode 8. In fact, David Benioff and D.B. Weiss themselves noted the similarities in an interview, expressing admiration for the intricacy and intensity of the action in Hardhome. Both sequences, they argue, reflect a shared approach to action scenes, where every detail and turning point must be carefully considered for its impact on the story. For instance, in Hardhome, key moments include Karsi’s death, the Night King raising the dead, and Jon Snow recognizing that the more he fights the army of the dead, the worse off he will be.

In “The Last of Us,” it becomes apparent that despite their best efforts to maintain a facade of goodness and normality in Jackson, danger is always lurking, waiting for the right moment to strike. What makes these scenes particularly effective (beyond their groundbreaking contributions to television) is the element of surprise; viewers didn’t anticipate such attacks on Jackson because it was never portrayed as a dangerous place. The closest threat experienced by the players is an ambush at a nearby dam, led by raiders. Similarly, the battles in “Hardhome” from George R. R. Martin’s “A Dance with Dragons,” the fifth book of the “A Song of Ice and Fire” series, were more impactful because they occurred off-page, leaving no visual or written references for comparison.

The Last of Us’ Secret Likeness to Game of Thrones’ Battle for the Wall

In another perspective, when considering Jackson’s attack and Hardhome as similar battles, it is also worth noting that the sequence in “Through the Valley” seems to draw parallels with another significant battle: the Battle for the Wall. This battle, depicted in Season 4, Episode 9, “The Watchers on the Wall,” stands out as a unique episode in which all the action unfolds within one location in the world of Game of Thrones.

Upon my return from the free folk’s camp with their attack plan, I rally the remaining members of the Night’s Watch at Castle Black, readying them for defense against the looming threat to the Wall. Although no white walkers or wights were presently before us, we faced an equally daunting prospect: losing to the free folk would have meant not only our deaths but also a failure in our duty to guard the realm against our sworn enemy. This defeat would have signified the end of order, structure, and law – values that the people of Jackson share with us in their deepest fears.

In both episodes, it’s evident that the protagonists are battling an advancing army from atop a wall, employing fire and other projectiles as defense strategies. When the enemy initially breaches their defenses, the principal character bravely puts himself in harm’s way to confront the largest threat. In many ways, Tommy resembles Jon Snow from Game of Thrones. Both are authentic leaders who swiftly uphold justice, striving to maintain a just and orderly world. Positioning Tommy as the central character in the battle, rather than Joel or Ellie, enhances audience sympathy for their victory.

A Personal Death Intensifies the Severity of the Damage in All Three Battles

All three battles culminate in victories for the heroes, but they come at a heavy price, resulting not in joyous outcomes, rather bittersweet ones. The most compelling TV fights demand sacrifice. Here, the sacrifices were lives, particularly those of Pyp, Grenn, and Ygritte in “The Watchers on the Wall,” and a wildling ally of Jon’s in “Hardhome.” In The Last of Us, similar losses occurred.

In the aftermath of the confrontation at Jackson, it wasn’t Joel’s demise that was directly caused by it, yet his loss is felt the most profoundly. Out of all the countless souls who perished there, Joel’s is the one that will linger in Tommy’s memory. The passing of a cherished one always carries a heavier emotional toll than the many other lives lost during such conflicts. Once I prioritized duty over personal desires, I was compelled to grapple with whether my commitment to our community outweighed my own pleasures. This is a mark that both The Last of Us and Game of Thrones have left on their audience through their battles – not the grand visuals or the exhilarating terror, but the impact the losses had on the hero, even when they emerged victorious from the conflict.

New episodes of The Last of Us premiere every Sunday at 9 PM ET on HBO.

Read More

2025-04-23 01:06