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In this episode of the Temple of Geek podcast, host Danielle is joined by Olivia Lupe Marie to delve into HBO’s “The Last of Us”. They recap the first season, share their different experiences with the game franchise, and look ahead to the highly anticipated second season, dividing their discussion into spoiler-free and spoiler-filled sections.  

Temple of Geek Podcast: Gearing Up for The Last of Us Season 2

Danielle is an entertainment journalist for Temple of Geek who uses the TikTok handle @writteninthestarwars. Her co-host, Olivia, is known on TikTok and Instagram as @olivialupemarie, where she discusses sci-fi and fantasy media.

Their histories with “The Last of Us” differ significantly. Danielle played both Part I and Part II games back in 2020 and immediately became obsessed. Olivia, conversely, encountered the franchise first through the HBO show, possessing no prior knowledge of the games. Watching season one motivated her to buy a PS5 and play Part I, then Part II. She found these experiences intense and impactful, even though she already knew the show’s plot. Danielle enjoys watching Olivia experience the story for the first time. 

The Last of Us Season 1 Recap (Spoiler-Free for Part II Game)

• Favorite Characters:
  • Danielle’s favorite is Ellie, feeling deeply protective and wanting her to find peace and meaning beyond her immunity. She wishes Ellie had a guiding female figure like Tess.  
  • Olivia’s favorite character from the game (Part I) is Joel. Playing as him, despite disagreeing with his choices, created a unique connection and understanding.  
  • For the show, Olivia’s favorite is Frank, appreciating how the series fleshed out a character only hinted at in the game. Danielle agrees, despite being hard on Joel, she loves his complexity and views him as a father figure.  
• Favorite Scenes/Moments:
  • Danielle highlights the bonding sequence between Joel and Ellie after leaving Jackson in the show, calling it the happiest we see them. She also praises Nico Parker‘s performance as Sarah. For the game, her favorites are the giraffe scene and the final “Okay” scene.  

• Olivia’s favorite show moment is when Joel opens up to Ellie about his past struggles, a vulnerability she feels game Joel doesn’t show. In the game, she loves the humorous, antagonistic exchanges between Bill and Ellie.  
• Changes from Game to Show:
  • Dislikes: Olivia wasn’t fond of how Ellie saves Joel in the show compared to the game’s hotel basement scene, though she understands it serves the show’s portrayal of Joel. Danielle dislikes the change in Marlene’s backstory with Ellie, noting the game’s comic reveals Marlene watched over Ellie her whole life, adding weight to Marlene’s final choices and Ellie’s connection to her.  
  • Likes: Olivia loved the addition of Ellie’s birth scene and the expanded relationship between Marlene and Ellie’s mother, Anna. She also enjoyed the hints that contaminated flour caused the outbreak. Danielle’s favorite change is the Bill and Frank episode, calling it beautiful, hopeful, and a brilliant adaptation that showcases a happy ending is possible, especially for a gay couple in this bleak world. She also praises the addition of Kathleen to Henry and Sam’s storyline for setting up future themes. Both agree most changes enhanced the story.  

Hopes for Season 2 (Spoiler-Free)

• Olivia looks forward to more cameos from the game’s voice actors, enjoying seeing them inhabit the world they helped create.  
• Danielle is curious how the show will handle Joel’s characterization, given the differences established in season one (like his increased vulnerability), and how this will impact the events adapted from Part II.  

Part II Spoilers for The Last of Us Game & Season 2 Speculation

• First Impressions of Part II: Olivia, despite having Joel’s death spoiled, was still shocked by it. Her biggest surprise was growing to love Abby, initially resisting playing as her but eventually connecting deeply with the character. Danielle initially disliked switching to Abby’s perspective but grew to love her, particularly after Abby called Lev and Yara “her people.” They discussed Abby’s capacity for love, noting her relationship with Lev mirrored Joel and Ellie’s but achieved greater openness. They also touch upon the parallel journeys of revenge and redemption for Ellie and Abby.  
• Characters Excited to See: Olivia is eager to see Lev and Yara (though unsure if they’ll appear in season 2) and Isaac, hoping his role is expanded to explore the WLF/Seraphite conflict further. Danielle is most looking forward to Caitlin Dever as Abby, despite reservations about capturing Abby’s physicality from the game, believing Dever’s acting prowess will convey the character’s depth.
• Scenes Eager to See: Danielle is both excited and wary about the adaptation of the museum flashback, a personal favorite. Olivia anticipates the intense first fight between Ellie and Abby in the theater, praising its tension and exploration of female rage.  
• Moments They Don’t Want Changed: Olivia strongly hopes Joel’s death scene remains unchanged from the game, praising its execution. Danielle echoes this, specifically emphasizing the importance of how Ellie finds and witnesses Joel’s death to her subsequent trauma and motivations. They speculate on potential changes based on promotional photos and the differences between game mechanics and television storytelling.  
• Season 2 Structure/Cutoff: They debate where season two might end, considering the game’s length and narrative structure. They favor adapting the story chronologically rather than splitting perspectives like the game, considering endpoints like Abby’s capture or Ellie killing Nora, and may adjust how Abby’s story is introduced.

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Temple Of Geek Podcast

Since 2012, the Temple of Geek  Podcast has enthusiastically explored the world of geek culture! Join us on our weekly adventures, discussing their passions and fandoms.

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