Unveiling the Secret behind the Famed "Take On Me" Incorporation in "The Last of Us" Series
Revamped Rewrite:
The Last of Us creators Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin recently shed light on the impactful role of the tune Take on Me in the freshly released sequel.
In a candid chat on The Last of US podcast, the mastermind behind the The Last of Us video games, Neil, and co-showrunner Craig, delved into the emotional moment highlighted in episode four of season two.
Speaking to the podcast, Neil, aged 46, waxed lyrical about the process of selecting the perfect song, explaining, "When we were crafting the game, Halley Gross - my right-hand woman - was friends with the guitarist of A-Ha, the fellah who penned that melody. Ya know, Paul [Waaktaar-Savoy]."
He went on to regale a heartwarming tale from the set, sharing, "I was there on stage, capturing their performance on the monitor, and shipped the footage off to him. That sonofabitch was choked up like a baby seeing his tune being used so beautifully on the show."
In the scene, Ellie unwittingly uncovers a guitar and sings an acoustic rendition of Take on Me.
Craig, age 54, chimed in, "If ya intend to freeze a TV series by having someone belt out most of a song, madam, there'd better be somethin' drivin' it. Ain't no room for a plain-old performance."
Craig then mused on the emotional structure of the series, opining, "Neil and I consistently discuss how our action sequences serve to disclose information about relationships or alter relationships. Same rule applied here - something needed to fester inside this moment for the viewer."
Reflecting on the emotional scene in the sequel, Craig admitted, "By the time this happens in the game, Ellie and Dina have already become an item. That ain't the case here - Dina ain't ready yet, and maybe she's hesitant. Then Ellie serenades her, and you can see Isabella fall head over heels in love. And lemme tell ya, it ain't adequate to describe; you're watchin' Isabella fall in love in real time."
For the uninitiated, the second season hit the screens on April 13.
Behind the Scenes:
The Emotional Hook of "Take on Me"
The track "Take on Me" was strategically chosen for the game and TV adaptation of The Last of Us due to its emotional resonance with the character, Ellie. In the gaming universe, music serves as a conduit for Ellie to connect with her past and the loved ones, with Joel being a prime example. This particular tune carries a bittersweet significance, as it symbolizes a memorable moment in the game where Ellie sings it for Dina[1][3][4].
The Moment in Season 2, Episode 4
In the TV series, particularly in Season 2, Episode 4, Ellie's rendition of "Take on Me" is a potent scene that showcases her emotional bond with Joel. The setting is an abandoned music shop, reminiscent of the place where Joel once strummed the guitar. Her rendition is a tribute to Joel, evoking memories of the shared moments and the echoes of Joel's absence in her life[3][4]. The song selection was far from arbitrary; it underscores the theme of music as a solace for Ellie to cope with loss and retain her precious memories of Joel[4].
The scene parallels a moment from the game, where Ellie performs the song for Dina in Jackson, reinforcing the narrative's continuity[2][4]. This tender moment serves as a powerful tool for character development, as it showcases Ellie's fragility and her ongoing journey to deal with her past[4].
Delving Deeper
The scene's emotional punch is magnified by the stark contrast between the original upbeat version of the song and Ellie's mournful rendition. This contrast highlights the intense depth of the scene and its profound personal significance for Ellie. The scene stands as an exemplary demonstration of how music in The Last of Us is utilized to convey character emotions and relationships, redefining "Take on Me" as more than just an '80s hits' icon - it becomes a narrative element amplifying Ellie's character[2][4].
- The creators of 'The Last of Us', Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin, revealed that they deliberately selected the song 'Take on Me' for the TV adaptation due to its emotional connection with character Ellie, as it resonates with her past and her relationship with Joel.
- In the second season, Ellie's emotional rendition of 'Take on Me' in season 2, episode 4, serves as a tribute to Joel in an abandoned music shop, mirroring a scene from the game where she performs it for Dina in Jackson.
- Craig Mazin, co-showrunner of 'The Last of Us', mentioned that the scene was carefully crafted to evoke emotions, as the series' action sequences often reveal information about relationships or alter them. In this case, it highlighted Ellie's love for Dina, a relationship not present in the game.
