It is usually considered negative when adaptations make changes to the source material, but HBO Max’s The Last Of Us diverting from the game order could be good for the series. The Last Of Us tells the story of Joel and Ellie, two survivors of a zombie-esque apocalypse traveling together. The first The Last Of Us game is primarily told from Joel’s perspective, while the game’s DLC takes place during Winter in the original game and tells the story of Ellie’s origin via flashbacks. The official The Last Of Us trailer seems to indicate that the HBO series will divert from this story order, however, as it includes clear visual references to The Last Of Us’ DLC.
HBO Max’s The Last Of Us diverting from the game order can actually be a good thing, as it gives the series a chance to fix The Last Of Us' timeline. Since the story is not being told through a video game format this time around, The Last Of Us’ adaptation can fold Ellie’s backstory into the main plot of season 1. This will allow the series to tell a better version of The Last Of Us’ story in a more logical order as well as give equal exposure to both of the main characters.
Why The Last Of Us Show Doesn't Need To Follow The Game Order
The way a story is told differs depending on the medium used, and HBO Max’s The Last Of Us is no exception. Though the original game manages to tell a rich story, its format necessitates leaving room for gameplay to keep players engaged. Unfortunately, this means that some integral story details, like Ellie’s origins, had to be included in a later installment. Since TV shows don’t have the same constraints, The Last Of Us’ adaptation doesn’t necessarily have to follow the game order to tell the same story.
Showing Ellie & Joel's Origins Is Best For The Last Of Us Season 1
The original The Last Of Us game was primarily told through Joel’s point of view, with his backstory being given to the player right away while Ellie’s wasn't revealed until the DLC was released. The Last Of Us had a focused plot, so Joel's story took priority, which meant little was explored about Ellie's history initially. However, in the TV format of The Last Of Us’ adaptation, it makes more sense to tell both stories side by side. Showing both main characters’ backstories in HBO Max’s The Last Of Us will help viewers gain a better understanding of the characters and their relationship.
In The Last Of Us, players spend more time with Joel, and his story is the primary focus. Since players emulate and control the character, it makes sense to focus on one. This is okay for a video game, but with TV shows, it’s important for all the main characters’ stories to be given similar weight. Integrating Ellie’s origins into The Last Of Us season 1 will help round out her character and potentially make her bond with Joel that much stronger, which is integral to the story. Although including both Joel’s and Ellie’s origins is a departure from the source material, the change allows HBO Max’s The Last Of Us adaptation to tell an even better story.