HBO’s highly-anticipated new series ‘The Last of Us’, is an incredibly well-crafted show that truly captivates viewers throughout its episodes. The series, created by Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, is an adaptation of the critically acclaimed video game “The Last of Us” from the developer Naughty Dog. HBO has seen massive success with the series, with millions of viewers tuning in every Sunday for new episodes. 

Starring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, ‘The Last of Us’ has been extremely well received by audiences and critics alike. The series has a 96% score on Rotten Tomatoes and a rating of 9.1/10 on IMDb. Following the success of the first season, HBO has already confirmed a second season, which is projected to debut in 2025.

The show is set in a post-apocalyptic world, 20 years after a mutant fungus called Cordyceps has taken over civilization. This fungus ravaged the world, turning human hosts into aggressive, zombie-like creatures known as “Infected.”  Joel Miller, a hardened survivor of the outbreak, is tasked with the job of transporting 14-year-old Ellie Williams across the United States, as she may be humanity’s last hope for a cure. The two form an unlikely friendship as they fight Infected and collaborate with other survivors on their trek across the country. The season one finale is set to premiere on HBO on March 12.

The production design of the show is phenomenal, combining aspects of the video game and original ideas in a visually stunning way. The special effects create a sense of realism and terror, bringing to life the dystopian world on screen.  

One of the biggest strengths of the series is the powerful emotional depth of the storylines. The show explores complex topics such as survival, loss, and morality in a post-apocalyptic setting in a remarkable way. Pascal and Ramsey give exceptional performances as Joel and Ellie, and audiences love their father-daughter relationship that is developed throughout the show. The supporting cast also does a great job of bringing depth and complexity to the dystopian world created in the show.

Another aspect of the series that many viewers enjoy is the diversity and representation seen within the characters and plot. The show features several LGBTQ+ storylines, which for the most part have been well-received by audiences. However, some backlash has arisen from people who dislike the queer story arcs. Ramsey addressed some of the hate in a recent interview with GQ.

“I know people will think what they want to think. But they’re gonna have to get used to it,” Ramsey said. “If you don’t want to watch the show because it has gay storylines, because it has a trans character, that’s on you, and you’re missing out.”

Overall, “The Last of Us” is an excellent adaptation, for fans of the game and newcomers alike. The cast gives compelling and powerful performances, which add to the overall quality of the show. Viewers love the humor, action, humanity, & thought-provoking concepts explored within the series. ‘The Last of Us’ is well-planned, skillfully executed, and is a must-watch piece of television for anybody who enjoys sci-fi, horror, and dystopia.