Showrunners Discuss the Stunning Cliffhanger in 'The Last of Us' and Offer Insights on Season 3
Going Deeper with Season 3 of The Last of Us: Let's dive into what's coming next for our favorite characters! Remember how the brutal wait between Seasons 1 and 2 felt? Yeah, it's gonna be worse for Season 3, because it ends right in the thick of things, leaving us all hanging in a cliffhanger that'll make you curse the sky.
Recently, the brilliant minds behind the show, Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, shared some juicy insights about what's to come. So, here's a breakdown of their chatter about the Season 2 cliffhanger, potential changes for Season 3, and some questions you should ponder as you eagerly (and impatiently) wait.
The nail-biting finale of Season 2 leaves us right smack in the middle of a pivotal moment between Ellie and Abby, with a flashback to Abby's storyline. That's right – Abby's adventure is definitely on the horizon.
"We always question what we're promising our audience going forward," Druckmann revealed at a press conference. "Ending the season somewhere else might not deliver the perfect promise. We want to ensure that the third season is epic and Abby's story is significant in the grand scheme of Joel and Ellie's journey."
Now, shifting from Ellie to Abby might feel alienating in the video game, but don't worry – the series is working hard to replicate that uncomfortable feeling of becoming your sworn enemy. Mazin admits that reproducing the shock of perspective shift may fall short, but they're striving to do their best to capture that ambiance.
"In the game, you are Joel, you are Ellie, and you are Abby. The sudden shift is jarring because you've been someone. Here, we're watching everyone on a screen, and we're not them. But we still honor the essence of one person experiencing something one way, while another is experiencing it completely differently, only to converge. That's the heart of it."
So, if the show couldn't quite capture that gut-punch feeling, they discussed changing things, right? Wrong! Mazin admitted they were open to alternative endings, but only for a short while.
"We considered numerous possibilities, like interlacing the stories or switching back and forth. In the end, we realized thatthese narrative dynamics are integral to the DNA of the story. Taking risks on television is essential, and we're grateful that HBO supports us in our mad endeavors."
But fear not, Ellie enthusiasts – Bella Ramsey's Ellie won't be absent from Season 3. Mazin teased, "Although Abby's story will undoubtedly dominate, Ellie's journey is far from over. And we're not saying goodbye to other characters that are currently on their merry way to Dusty Town."
Druckmann added, "Their presence might not be on screen, but they'll still loom large in the narrative."
Finally, let's not forget about Isaac, the WLF, and the Seraphites. Season 3 will likely delve deeper into their ongoing conflict, potentially shedding light on why the war started, who the prophet is, and what's happening at the end of Episode 7. So, keep those burning questions in the back of your mind – they'll be answered, eventually!
We don't have an exact launch date (2027? Maybe), but one thing's for sure – the countdown has officially started. Catch all seven episodes of Season 2 on HBO Max right now!
Want more io9 news? Check out the latest updates on Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek, DC Universe, and Doctor Who. Stay tuned, survivors! The post-apocalyptic world of The Last of Us awaits!
- The third season of The Last of Us is set to delve deeper into Abby's story, with the creators promising an epic and significant portrayal of her character.
- Technology enthusiasts at Gizmodo and entertainment lovers on io9 can look forward to exploring Abby's adventure in Season 3, as well as the ongoing conflict involving the WLF, the Seraphites, and the prophet.
- Despite the seemingly abrupt shift in focus from Ellie to Abby, fans of Ellie can rest assured that her journey is far from over. Moreso, the presence of other characters, though not always on screen, will still loom large in the narrative.
