An episode of tv like “Lengthy, Lengthy Time” comes round as soon as in a blue moon, and the creators of HBO’s “The Final Of Us” realize it. At a press convention attended by /Movie forward of the present’s second season debut, sequence co-creator Craig Mazin famous that he and franchise co-creator Neil Druckmann explicitly mentioned their plans not to ship a repeat of the facet character-centric tearjerker from season 1. As an alternative, they teased an episode that Mazin referred to as “beautiful” and “totally different,” whereas nonetheless differentiating it from the ballad of Invoice (Nick Offerman) and Frank (Murray Bartlett).
“One factor that Neil and I talked about was ensuring that we did not simply say, ‘Oh, that Invoice and Frank episode, folks actually like that,'” Mazin recalled. “Let’s do a Very Particular Episode of ‘The Final of Us’ season 2.'” In basic TV jargon, Very Particular Episodes are sometimes those who deal with social points or preach on vital subjects, however it’s clear right here that Mazin implies that the pair did not need to drive the creation of a particular one-off within the model of the self-contained but sweeping third episodes of season 1. “It simply has to occur because it occurs,” he mentioned.
Druckmann will direct a novel episode of season 2
Mazin, who along with co-creating and producing was the credited author for almost all of “The Final of Us” season 1, then went on to single out a specific season 2 episode with out freely giving any spoiler-adjacent particulars. “I’ll say that there is a beautiful episode this season, directed by Neil, that’s totally different,” Mazin teased. “It is not Invoice and Frank, however it’s, in its personal manner, its personal factor, as a result of it wanted to be. Simply you wait.” A 12 months in the past, Druckmann was confirmed as a season 2 director, and when season 1 got here to a detailed, he advised /Movie and different press convention attendees that the sequel season will at some factors be “totally different radically” from the sport on which it is primarily based.
As season 1 proved, totally different is not at all times a foul factor in terms of variations. Pedro Pascal’s model of Joel is softer and extra loveable than the model first launched within the award-winning Naughty Canine recreation sequence 12 years in the past, and Melanie Lynskey’s character wasn’t even within the recreation in any respect. Plus, “Lengthy, Lengthy Time” is a number of the greatest proof in latest reminiscence that enlargement will be as vital as accuracy in terms of adapting from one medium to a different. If not for an out-of-left-field masterpiece from the ultimate season of “Succession,” the disarmingly tender and intimate story would’ve been the most effective episode of the 12 months it was launched — or even perhaps the last decade so far. It is good that Druckmann and Mazin aren’t merely making an attempt to duplicate the acclaim and heartache of “Lengthy, Lengthy Time.” Typically, one of the simplest ways to comply with up a rousing success is by doing one thing completely totally different.
A number of The Final of Us: Half II characters deserve the highlight
We all know “The Final of Us” can do a stunner of a one-off episode, however what ought to we anticipate the Druckmann-directed hour to incorporate? Gamers of the online game will possible assume first of a day that unfolds on the Wyoming Museum of Science and Historical past, one which’s pivotal to each Joel and Ellie’s relationship and the center of the sequel recreation’s plot. Apparently, although, Mazin and Druckmann brazenly referenced the sport’s museum scenes elsewhere within the press convention (and the museum scene will be seen in promotional materials for season 2), so it is attainable the “totally different” episode they plan to ship is one thing else fully.
There are definitely different characters in “The Final of Us Half II” who deserve extra display time on this serialized model of the story. Kaitlyn Dever’s Abby is a second major character this time round, however she’s unfamiliar to viewers who did not play the video games, so scripts might want to do quite a lot of work to arrange her place and perspective within the post-apocalyptic panorama. Lev, a trans man who endures a lot within the recreation, additionally deserves some further care and a spotlight. Plus, the sequel has a deep love story to discover, an enigmatic cult, and quite a lot of darkish nights of the soul for Joel, Ellie (Bella Ramsey), and all the opposite cordyceps survivors. There’s additionally the possibility that the episode may give attention to Eugene, because the character was solely seen in a photograph within the recreation however will likely be performed within the present by Emmy-winner Joe Pantoliano. You may’t put “The Sopranos” and “Sure” actor in a present this main with out giving him one thing main to work with, proper?
We’ll discover out when “The Final of Us” returns to HBO on April 13, 2025.
