WARNING: This article contains MAJOR SPOILERS for The Last of Us, so if you haven’t watched the HBO series yet, read at your own risk!
Showrunner Neil Druckmann has proven to be quite adept when it comes to depicting a game-accurate adaptation for the Naughty Dog video game, The Last of Us, on HBO. Although many fans found The Last of Us Episode 2 quite questionable, especially the controversial “kiss of death” scene of Tess, the showrunners explain why it actually improves the original source material.
In a behind-the-scenes look at the HBO series, Druckmann defends that apart from their choice to change how the virus gets transmitted from an Infected to a human being (the removal of spores in the air), the co-creator also emphasizes that they felt good with the change of set-up on Tess’ death scene, in spite of the fan reactions. Check out his full comment below:
“And that’s one of those changes that we made from the game to the show,” Druckmann said, “In the game, it was the military chasing us, but we felt like…the way it was playing out, we couldn’t sustain that. And I believe that it’s actually more dramatic and kind of interesting than what happens in the game.”
READ MORE: HBO's The Last of Us Changes How The Infected Operate in the Series
The controversial death scene consisted of Tess’ (Anna Torv) death. See, in the video game, Tess convinced Joel and Ellie to leave her behind so she could sacrifice herself to getting caught by the FEDRA’s military as she was already bitten on the neck, anyway. It was only a matter of time before she would turn into one of them. However, the showrunners changed the scene via series adaptation where, instead of getting chased by the military, they triggered a tripwire from the “hive” of Clickers.
What do you think of Tess’ changed death scene? Do you agree with Neil Druckmann?
The Last of Us Episodes 1 and 2 are now available to stream on HBO Max. Meanwhile, you can expect The Last of Us Episode 3 on January 29, Sunday.
ALSO READ: The Last of Us Fans Enraged With [SPOILERS] “Disgusting” Death Scene
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