The Last of Us S1 Episode 1: Release Date, Recap, and Speculation

The awaited premiere of The Last of Us aired on HBO Max on Sunday night, and writers Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann did a commendable job laying out the story’s base. Beginning with an explanation of the Cordyceps fungus and its origin in 1986, the episode first clawed out our hearts with Joel’s saddening past.

The episode then takes us twenty years later to the present, where Tess and Joel need their car’s battery back to rescue Tommy and the Fireflies need someone to take Ellie to the West outhouse. They strike a bargain, and the duo heads out with Ellie in their protection, but their path is littered with dangers like the infected and FEDRA. What will the next episode bring for the traveling trio?

1. Episode 2 Synopsis/Speculation

Episode 1 of The Last of Us showed that the showrunners took their promise seriously about keeping the show as close to the game as possible. If this continues, we have a good guess about what’s to come in the next episode and onward. 

Next episode, we’ll see the trio heading into the ruins of Downtown Boston, and we already know danger awaits them. Perhaps their encounter with the Clickers will be up in next week’s episode.

The upcoming episodes will also highlight the curious nature of Joel and Ellie’s relationship as they travel together. Joel will try hard not to see Sarah in Ellie, going so far as to call her cargo while the orphaned teen experiences what a family could be for the first time.

Tommy won’t appear in the next episode, but we might see Kathleen or the other side of Joel’s smuggling friends, Frank and Bill. HBO Max did release a clip with what’s to come in the next few episodes, so be sure to watch it as tagged below. But when is episode 2 coming?

The Last of Us S1 Episode 1: Release Date, Recap, and Speculation
Ellie

2. Episode 2 Release Date

Chapter 2 of the The Last of Us series, titled “Infection”, has been released on Sunday, Jan 22, 2023 at 6:00 pm PDT.

The Weeks Ahead Trailer | The Last of Us | Max

3. Season 1 Schedule

The Last of Us Season 1 Episode No.The Last of Us Season 1 Episode TitleDirectionTeleplayRelease Date
1When You’re Lost in the DarknessCraig MazinCraig Mazin & Neil DruckmannJanuary 15 2023
2InfectionNeil DruckmannCraig MazinJanuary 22 2023
3TBAPeter HoarCraig MazinJanuary 29 2023
4TBATBACraig MazinFebruary 5 2023
5TBATBACraig MazinFebruary 12 2023
6TBATBACraig MazinFebruary 19 2023
7TBATBANeil DruckmannFebruary 26 2023
8TBAAli AbbasiCraig MazinMarch 5 2023
9TBAAli AbbasiCraig MazinMarch 12 2023

4. Where to Watch The Last of Us

The Last of Us is streaming exclusively on HBO & HBO Max in the US.

Watch The Last Of Us on:

5. Episode 1 Recap

The Last of Us S1 Episode 1: Release Date, Recap, and Speculation
Tess and Joel

The episode opens in 1986, where two epidemiologists appear on a talk show to discuss the spreading virus and how the fungus could be deadly and incurable once it starts infecting people. Cut to 2003, and we see Sarah setting up her gift for her father, and Joel promises to be back soon with a cake. 

On her way back from school, Sarah notices a lot of police activity and odd behavior from her neighbors but hurries to return home before Joel. Later that night, she wakes alone to a commotion and is almost killed by the infected old lady, but Joel and Tommy save her.

In the chaos of escaping, FEDRA descends upon the neighborhood, and Tommy saves Joel from getting killed, but alas, Sarah is hit with a bullet and dies shortly. A twenty-year time jump later, we see a ruined Boston and a smuggler Joel trying to make ends meet.

Tess returns beaten up and informs him their car battery is lost, and the two go to Robert’s to take it back since Joel needs to move to Wyoming to find Tommy. Meanwhile, Ellie lies trapped in the Firefly’s Boston house, and Marlene promises her group she’ll be the key to saving all.

Ellie and Marlene talk, revealing her importance and their need to leave Boston to carry out the plan that can save humanity. Joel & Tess, and the Fireflies with Ellie, end up at Robert’s, who lies dead after an attack by the infected. The two parties fight over who’ll take up the battery and strike a bargain. 

The Fireflies will give Joel and Tess the battery, guns, and supplies, and in exchange, the two will transport Ellie to their outhouse in the West. The duo agrees and heads into trouble in the depths of Boston with the wonder child.

6. About The Last Of Us

The Last of Us is an HBO TV series adaptation of the award-winning video game of the same name originally developed by Naughty Dog.

It is set in 2033, as a fungal infestation plagues humans, turning them feral and blind before finally finishing them off. The series follows Joel’s journey to escort an immune 14-year-old Ellie to the Fireflies, who hope to study her to procure a vaccine.

The cast comprises Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, both famed for their roles in Games of Thrones, along with Gabriel Luna, Merle Dandridge, and Nico Parker. The show was renewed for season 2.

Epic Dope Staff

Epic Dope Staff

Our talented team of Freelance writers - Always on the lookout - pour their energies into a wide range of topics bringing to our audience what they crave - fun up-to-date news, reviews, fan theories and much much more.

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