The Last of Us TV Show: Why Fewer Infected Makes It Scarier
HBO's The Last Of Us has been praised for its faithful adaptation of the beloved video game, but some viewers have complained about the lack of Infected encounters compared to the game. However, this criticism misses the genius of the show's approach to the infected, which ultimately makes them scarier and more effective.
The Last Of Us TV Show Was Criticized For Its Scarce Infected Encounters
In the show, Joel and Ellie rarely encounter Infected. They travel across the country, traversing wilderness and urban ruins, without running into many infected. For example, when Henry takes them to the tunnels below Kansas City, where FEDRA supposedly hid all the infected, the tunnels are empty. Ellie and Riley's mall adventure doesn't involve a horde of infected like in the Left Behind DLC; instead, they're attacked by a single Clicker. And there's no horde of infected blocking their path to the hospital.
This is a stark contrast to the game, where the infected are constantly present, lurking around every corner. Every location is teeming with infected, serving as a constant reminder of the desperate need for a cure. However, in the show, the infected are not as prevalent, making the cure seem less urgent. But this criticism misses the genius of the show's infected approach.
Every Time The Infected Appeared In The Show, A Major Character Died
Each appearance of infected in Season 1 resulted in the death of a significant character. After Joel and Ellie's first encounter with Clickers at the museum, Tess is bitten. (Ellie was also bitten, but her immunity renders it harmless.) During the horde attack in Kansas City, Sam is bitten. Kathleen and Perry, created specifically for the show, also meet their demise. Finally, in the mall, Ellie and Riley encounter a Clicker, leading to both being bitten, with only Riley turning.
While these deaths are adapted directly from the game, except for Kathleen and Perry, the show doesn't feature a dozen infected encounters in between, making the infected seem more deadly. The lack of constant encounters elevates the threat, as the infected actually kill someone every time they appear on screen. The show's approach, while seemingly lacking in action, is a deliberate and effective move.
The TV Show's Lack Of Infected Made It Even Scarier When They Did Show Up
The show's deliberate scarcity of infected encounters makes them even more frightening. If they kill a major character every time they appear, they become a genuine threat. In the game, after numerous encounters, clearing a room full of infected becomes routine. Most encounters are for gameplay purposes, and Joel and Ellie's plot armor ensures their survival, with any damage easily remedied by a health kit.
The show's approach is more realistic. If a fungus truly took over the world, turning humans into flesh-eating zombies with impenetrable armor, surviving an encounter would be virtually impossible. If Clickers existed, anyone encountering them would likely perish. The game's approach to infected is perfect for its medium - it's a fun combat challenge - but the show's approach makes the story feel more grounded.
How The Last Of Us Season 2 Can Address The Show's Infected Complaints
In response to complaints about the lack of infected in Season 1, Mazin has promised more infected in Season 2. He said they didn't consider their depiction of infected on an episode-to-episode basis, but rather on a season-to-season basis, suggesting Season 2 will feature more encounters. This mirrors the games' approach. The Last Of Us Part II amplifies the first game's infected encounters, not only by increasing the number but also by introducing new types.
As Cordyceps evolves, new types like Stalkers and Shamblers appear in The Last of Us Part II. Ellie and Dina navigate a subway station overrun by Clickers and Shamblers, while Abby and Lev descend a bombed-out hotel, a nest of infected with Stalkers lurking in the walls. Adapting these sequences for Season 2 would easily address the infected criticism.
One sequence from The Last of Us Part II would instantly silence any complaints about a lack of infected. When Abby enters the "Ground Zero" section of the Seattle hospital for supplies, she encounters the Rat King, a monstrous amalgamation of infected festering since the outbreak. If Season 2 features the Rat King, no one would complain about the infected.
