The Last of Us | Season 1 recap | Podcast

Hey everyone, welcome back to the podcast! Today, we’re talking about The Last of Us! Season 2 is finally here, and I don’t know about you, but I’m really excited. I enjoy fantasy books and series as well as post-apocalyptic themes. There’s something about these stories that make you think—how would we survive if the world suddenly changed?

But before we dive into the new season, let’s take a moment to refresh our memories about Season 1.

Now, before we get started—spoiler alert! If you haven’t watched Season 1 yet and don’t want to know what happens, maybe hit pause, go binge the show, and then come back. Alright, let’s go!

So, what’s The Last of Us all about? Well, it’s based on a popular video game, and it takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where a deadly fungus—yeah, fungus, not zombies—has wiped out most of humanity. The infected people aren’t just regular zombies; they’re creepy, fast, and absolutely terrifying. Some of them can’t even see but use sound to find their next victim.

Our two main characters are Joel and Ellie. Joel is this tough, kinda grumpy guy who’s lost everything. He’s been living in this dangerous world for 20 years, so he knows how to survive. Ellie, on the other hand, is a 14-year-old girl who’s smart, funny, and—oh yeah—immune to the infection. That makes her very important. She’s also brave, sometimes reckless, and loves making bad jokes.

Okay, so here’s the deal. The story kicks off with one of the most heartbreaking openings ever. Seriously. We see the world collapse, and Joel loses his daughter, Sarah. It’s absolutely tragic. Fast forward 20 years, and now Joel is just trying to survive. He’s doing jobs, smuggling, and staying out of trouble—until he meets Ellie.

His job? Take Ellie across the country to a group called the Fireflies because they believe she might be the key to a cure. Of course, it’s not that simple. Traveling is dangerous. There are no cars, no working government, and no safe places. The infected are everywhere, and even worse—there are people who will do anything to survive.

Joel and Ellie go through a lot. Like, a lot a lot. They fight off infected people, deal with dangerous survivors, and even get caught in the middle of some really messed-up situations. They meet new people, some good and some bad. And sometimes, the good ones don’t make it.

Remember that creepy guy, David? Yeah, let’s not talk about that guy… actually, no, let’s talk about him. He’s the leader of a group that seems friendly at first, but—surprise!—they’re actually cannibals. Yep. And when Ellie is captured, she has to fight her way out. She ends up saving herself, but it’s a really dark moment. After that, Joel and Ellie’s bond becomes even stronger.

At first, Joel treats Ellie like a package—something he needs to deliver. But by the end, she’s like a daughter to him. And then… boom—we reach the big finale.

Alright, last spoiler warning! If you’re still here, you want to know what happens.

Joel finally gets Ellie to the Fireflies, and they’re ready to make a cure. Sounds great, right? Wrong. The only way to make the cure is to basically kill Ellie. They need to take something from her brain, and she wouldn’t survive the procedure. And Joel? Yeah, he’s not having that.

He goes full action-hero mode, takes out everyone, and rescues Ellie. But here’s the problem—Ellie doesn’t know the truth. When she wakes up, Joel tells her the Fireflies couldn’t make a cure, and that’s that.

At the end of the season, Ellie asks him, “Is that really what happened?” And Joel looks her in the eye and says, “Yeah.”

And cut! That’s how Season 1 ends.

Now, Season 2 is coming, and things are going to get crazy. If you have played the game, you know what’s coming. If you haven’t… let’s just say it’s going to be very emotional. And let me tell you, people had strong feelings about what happens next.

So, are you excited for Season 2? What do you think about Joel’s choice? Do you agree with him, or do you think he was wrong? Let me know!

That’s it for today’s episode. Thanks for listening, and I’ll talk to you next time!