"Showrunner of 'The Last of Us' unveils enchantment encircling renowned A-Ha tune"
Lost in the Apocalypse: The Emotional Resonance of "Take on Me" in The Last of Us
creators Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin have shed light on the profound impact of the tune "Take on Me" in the latest instalment of the hit series, The Last of Us.
During a candid conversation on The Last of Us podcast, Druckmann, acclaimed for developing the game series, along with co-showrunner Craig Mazin, delved into the gripping scene found in episode four of season two.
Druckmann, whose wisdom ages just 46, disclosed the reasoning behind selecting this track for both the game and its adaptation. He revealed that it was due to his friendship with the wife of A-Ha guitarist, Paul Waaktaar-Savoy, who authored the song.
An emotional on-set moment occurred when Druckmann secretly recorded the performance and shared it with the guitarist. Waaktaar-Savoy was deeply moved by the touching portrayal of his song in the show.
In the scene, Ellie, armed with a guitar, serenades an acoustic version of "Take on Me".
Mazin, a seasoned 54-year-old professional, later added that to halt a television show midway for a full-song performance, something meaningful needs to transpire within it.
He delved into the intricate structure of the show and explained, "Central to all our action sequences is the revelation of intimate details about relationships, or the evolution of relationships. This rule applied to the emotional scene in the sequel too. Without a viewer's option, something significant must occur."
Reflecting on the scene from the sequel, Mazin said, "By episode four, Ellie and Dina have not yet developed romantic feelings in the TV adaptation. Dina remains hesitant, unsure. Then Ellie sings for her and the audience witnesses the captivating performance of Isabela [Merced] showing Dina's fall for Ellie. This is a truly incredible, heartfelt moment."
For the uninitiated, the sequel to the much-anticipated 2023 season premiered on April 13.
Echoes of Love, Loss, and Connection
The moving sentiment of "Take on Me" in The Last of Us: Part II and its TV adaptation holds deep significance in the exploration of themes like love, loss, and connection. The song forms an essential part of Ellie's emotional odyssey, especially her affection for Joel and Dina.
A Testimony of Love and Loss
In the game, "Take on Me" doesn't directly portray Joel, but the scene holds great emotion for Ellie, as it was one of her shared memories with Joel. Meanwhile, both in the game and adaptation, Ellie's guitar playing underscores their profound bond.
Yearning for Connection and Love
The lyrics of "Take on Me" depict longing and taking risks for love, which align beautifully with Ellie's narrative, where she faces tremendous loss yet finds moments of connection and hope.
Expressed Feelings for Dina
In the TV adaptation, particularly in season two, Ellie's performance of "Take on Me" is a moment of sincerity as she conveys her love for Dina through music, deepening their emotional attachment.
A Timely Choice
The decision to choose "Take on Me" for both the game and TV adaptation can be traced back to multiple factors:
- Emotional Concordance: The song's themes of longing and taking risks echo deeply with Ellie's intricate storyline, offering a poignant reflection of her loss, hope, and connections.
- Nostalgia's Allure: As an 80s hit, "Take on Me" can evoke a sentimental buzz, standing as a delightful contrast to the post-apocalyptic world of The Last of Us.
- Beauty and Flexibility: The song's captivating melody and lyrics enable a magnificent, emotional rendition that harmoniously integrates into the narrative, capturing Ellie's vulnerability and her capacity for love.
- Who amongst the show's creators, Neil Druckmann, found a personal connection to the song "Take on Me" through his friendship with the wife of A-Ha guitarist Paul Waaktaar-Savoy?
- In the world of The Last of Us, US viewers synced their TV sets to catch the emotional performance of Isabela playing "Take on Me" on the show.
- When us audience members witnessed Ellie's acoustic rendition of "Take on Me" in the TV adaptation, we bore witness to a heartfelt moment expressing her feelings for Dina.
- Neil, whose age belies his wisdom, selected "Take on Me" for the game and its adaptation due to its resonant themes of love, loss, and connection – factors that resonate powerfully within The Last of Us universe.
- Movies-and-TV enthusiasts marveled at the timely choice of "Take on Me" for The Last of Us adaptation, as the 80s hit, with its themes of longing and taking risks, provides a poignant soundtrack to Ellie's emotional journey in the post-apocalyptic world.
