The Last Of Us - Future Days (S2E01)
This week on The Commentary Booth, Jamie Apps and Corrina Mabey return to the brutal, beautiful world of The Last of Us as Season 2 of HBO’s critically acclaimed adaptation kicks off with Episode 1: “Future Days”.
Five years have passed since the emotional finale of Season 1. Joel and Ellie now reside in Jackson, but find themselves in a fractured relationship. This episode sets the emotional stakes sky-high with a slow-burn reintroduction to beloved characters, stunning cinematography, and a powerful look at what’s to come.
In this deep-dive breakdown, Jamie and Corrina unpack the emotional weight of Joel’s guilt, Ellie's haunting trauma, the jaw-dropping return of infected horror, and the introduction of the enigmatic Abby, played by Kaitlyn Dever. With major game parallels and a few unexpected detours, this episode promises an epic season ahead.
Highlights Breakdown:
00:00 – Intro & returning to Jackson
04:23 – Ellie’s trauma and Jackson’s new reality
09:35 – Joel’s guilt & the “Future Days” guitar scene
16:10 – Abby’s mysterious intro & major casting wins
21:05 – Infected return: Jump scares, horror & action
26:30 – Story structure shifts from game to show
32:15 – The emotional gut-punch ending
38:40 – Theories for Episode 2 & season arcs
Whether you're a fan of the games or new to the story, this breakdown offers insights, Easter eggs, and bold predictions for what lies ahead.