Showrunners Discuss the Shocking Series Finale and Preview Potential Storylines for Season 3 of 'The Last of Us'
Trapped in a post-apocalyptic world, we've just finished season two of The Last of Us, leaving us hanging like a rotting corpse on a tree. The last moments between Ellie and Abby seem like an eternity ago, but it looks like that's just the beginning. And boy, are we eagerly biting our nails for season three.
The creators, Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, were kind enough to spill some beans about what's coming next. Here's a scoop on what you can expect from Ellie, Abby, and the messy world they inhabit.
Let's be honest; that season two cliffhanger is a cruel beast. A tense confrontation between Ellie and Abby turns into a flashback, leaving us wanting more. But don't worry, since it's a story straight from the game, we're about to dive headfirst into Abby's side of the story.
"We wanted to make the right promise for the audience," Druckmann explained at a press conference. "It's about setting the stage for what's about to happen and what's important going forward."
Now, if you've played the game, you know the gnawing sense of discomfort when you switch to playing as Abby instead of your character, Ellie. The show might not replicate that feeling perfectly, but they're doing their best, said Mazin.
"We can't go through the shock of becoming another person," he admitted. "But our hope is to honor the convergence of two different stories, each experienced so differently."
So, if the show didn't match the game in that moment, did they consider changing it? Maybe end it differently? Well, there was talk about it, but it was a brief discussion at best.
"We were open to a different ending," Mazin admitted. "But at the end of the day, it's part of the genetics of the story. We have to take risks as a television show. And HBO's backing us in that."
When asked about Ellie's presence in season three, Mazin had this to say, "Even if I thought I knew exactly how season three was gonna go, I'm experienced enough to know that two weeks from now, we may have a different idea of how it should go."
Druckmann added, "We haven't seen the last of Kaitlyn Dever, we haven't seen the last of Bella Ramsey, and we haven't seen the last of a lot of people who are currently dead in the story."
And with Isaac and the WLF, the Serephites, and their feud brewing, the third season promises to be a wild ride with plenty of questions yet to be answered.
"All of it will become clear," Mazin said.
Haven't played the game? No worries, catch all the seven episodes of season two on HBO Max, and get ready for the smarter zombie-killing, emotional roller coaster that is season three. Keep your eyes peeled for more insights into the Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek, and Doctor Who universes here on io9!
In the height of anticipation for season three, the showrunners, Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, have hinted at delving deeper into Abby's story, aiming to honor both characters' narratives despite the initial discomfort fans might feel in switching perspectives. The creators, after discussing a possible different ending, decided to stick with the original plan, promising an action-packed third season with numerous questions still to be answered, involving characters like Kaitlyn Dever, Bella Ramsey, and the ongoing feud between Isaac and the WLF, and the Serephites. Catch up on the zombie-killing, emotional roller coaster ride that is season two of The Last of Us on HBO Max, and stay tuned for more entertainment news on io9, including updates on Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek, and Doctor Who universes.
