The Last of Us: 7 questions everyone had after the 1st episode

The highly anticipated second season of The Last of Us premiered on Max (formerly HBO Max) last Sunday (13), and it’s already climbing the charts as one of the platform’s biggest hits. Picking up five years after the events of Season 1, the new chapter raises plenty of questions: Why are Ellie and Joel at odds? Who are the new characters? What kinds of infected are out there now?

Starring Pedro Pascal (Narcos) as Joel and Bella Ramsey (Game of Thrones) as Ellie, the series continues its journey through a world ravaged by a deadly fungus that turns humans into violent, monstrous creatures. The show is helmed by Craig Mazin (Chernobyl) and Neil Druckmann, the creator of the original video game.

Why Is Ellie Angry with Joel?

In the season premiere, it’s clear something is off between Ellie and Joel. The warmth they once shared has been replaced by cold distance. Despite the five-year time jump, the emotional scars from the end of Season 1 still linger.

Back in the finale of the first season, Joel rescued Ellie from the Fireflies’ hospital, where she was meant to undergo a surgery that could’ve led to a cure for the cordyceps infection. To save her, Joel killed the medical team and Marlene, the Fireflies’ leader, then lied to Ellie about what happened — claiming the Fireflies had given up on the cure.

Ellie initially accepted Joel’s explanation, but over time, the cracks started to show. She realized the truth: that Joel robbed her of the chance to save humanity — and that betrayal haunts their relationship. The hurt and distrust now sit between them like a wall.

Who Is Gail?

Season 2 brings in fresh characters, diverging slightly from the original game. One of the new faces is Gail, a therapist in Jackson and Joel’s counselor. She’s also married to Eugene, a former Firefly who was killed by Joel — a significant change from the source material. Gail is portrayed by Catherine O’Hara (The Greatest Musicians), and her inclusion adds emotional depth and new narrative layers to Joel’s internal struggle.

Who Is Eugene?

In the game, Eugene is the owner of a quirky marijuana grow-op discovered by Ellie and Dina. Though he hasn’t appeared directly in the series yet, he’s been mentioned and seen in old photographs. In the show, he’s reimagined as a member of Tommy’s Firefly team and now has a stronger backstory, thanks to his wife Gail. According to her, Eugene was funny and deeply human, a contrast to the dark world they all live in.

Who Is Dina?

Among the newcomers is Dina, played by Isabela Merced (Madame Web). Introduced in Episode 1, Dina lives in the Jackson community and quickly captures attention with her charm, quick wit, and fierce spirit. She’s poised to become Ellie’s love interest and an important ally as Ellie embarks on a path of vengeance. Their bond will be central to the emotional arc of this season.

What Is a Stalker and What Are the Infected Types?

Episode 1, titled Future Days, introduces a chilling new form of infected: the Stalkers. These creatures represent stage two of the infection, which manifests between two weeks and a year after initial exposure. They’re partially overrun by the cordyceps fungus, with growths visibly distorting their faces and limbs.

Stalkers combine the stealth of early-stage “Runners” with the heightened danger of “Clickers.” They prefer to hide in shadows, ambushing their prey with speed and cunning. It’s a terrifying evolution — and just a taste of what’s to come this season.

The Last of Us series, adapted from the iconic game franchise developed by Naughty Dog, stands out from other zombie-themed productions by offering a deeper dive into the origins and evolution of its terrifying infected creatures. Unlike typical mindless zombies, these infected go through multiple stages of transformation — each with unique physical and behavioral changes:

Types of Infected in The Last of Us

• Runner: This is the earliest stage of infection. The fungus hasn’t fully taken over yet, so these infected still retain some human traits. They’re fast (hence the name), often travel in groups, but lack coordination or intelligence. Their bodies show minimal fungal growth at this stage.
• Stalker: Usually seen between two weeks to a year after infection. Stalkers are more dangerous — they’ve completely lost human consciousness, move quickly, and are better at locating prey. Visually, fungal growth is evident on the face and limbs.
• Clicker: One of the most iconic stages. Clickers are blind due to heavy fungal growth over their faces and navigate by echolocation — emitting unsettling clicks and screeches to “see” through sound. They’re vicious and incredibly hard to kill.
• Bloater (aka Puffer): This stage takes years to develop. The infected becomes massive, with a body overrun by fungal plates and mold. They’re slower but extremely powerful, capable of ripping enemies apart or throwing explosive fungal spores.
• Shambler: A variation of the advanced stage, Shamblers thrive in humid environments and attack by releasing clouds of toxic spores. While not yet seen in the series, they made their terrifying debut in The Last of Us Part II.
• Rat King: The final and most grotesque stage — a monstrous fusion of multiple infected bodies that have grown together over 20 years. It’s a horrifying blend of strength, decay, and coordination. This abomination hasn’t yet appeared in the show.

New Faces in Season 2

Season 2 brings fresh characters who will expand the emotional depth and stakes of the story:

• Abby (Kaitlyn Dever): The daughter of the doctor killed by Joel in the season one finale. Her journey is set to play a major role this season.
• Isaac (Jeffrey Wright): A ruthless militia leader.
• Manny (Danny Ramirez): A loyal soldier under Isaac’s command.
• Kat (Noah Lamanna): Ellie’s ex-girlfriend with a past that resurfaces.
• Jesse (Young Mazino): A key figure in Jackson who shares a strong bond with both Ellie and Dina.

How Many Episodes Are in Season 2?

The second season of The Last of Us will consist of seven episodes, each running around one hour. Episodes will air weekly on Sundays at 10 PM (Brasília time) on HBO, and be available for streaming on Max.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly caused the outbreak in The Last of Us?

The outbreak was caused by a mutated strain of the Cordyceps fungus, which began infecting humans. In the show, there are subtle hints (like the radio and early conversations) suggesting the infection may have spread through contaminated food products like flour or sugar. It starts slowly, but once it jumps to humans, chaos ensues.

How is Ellie immune to the Cordyceps infection?

This mystery is central to the entire series. In Episode 1, we learn that Ellie was bitten but didn’t turn, which is unheard of. The exact reason isn’t revealed right away, but it’s a key plot point that unravels as the story progresses. Her immunity could be the key to a cure.

What happened to Joel’s daughter, Sarah?

Sarah is tragically shot by a soldier during the early chaos of the outbreak. Despite Joel’s desperate attempts to save her, she dies in his arms. This emotional moment is a turning point for Joel, shaping his character and motivations for the rest of the series.

Who are the Fireflies and why are they important?

The Fireflies are a revolutionary group opposing the authoritarian rule of FEDRA (the remnants of the U.S. government). They believe in restoring freedom and finding a cure for the infection. They’re the ones who discover Ellie’s immunity and task Joel with escorting her.

Why is the world so militarized and broken in Episode 1?

After the outbreak, society collapsed, and the government (now FEDRA) enforced strict quarantine zones and martial law to maintain order. Resources are scarce, civilians live under harsh conditions, and outside the walls, the infected roam freely. The show explores themes of control, survival, and what it means to live in a post-apocalyptic world.

Conclusion

The first episode of The Last of Us leaves viewers with numerous questions about the world, its characters, and the mysterious Cordyceps infection. From Ellie’s unexpected immunity to the devastating loss Joel faces, the series sets the stage for an emotional and gripping journey. As the story unfolds, answers to these questions will be revealed, deepening the complex world and characters fans have quickly come to love.