This week on The Commentary Booth, Jamie Apps and Corrina Mabey return to the brutal, beautiful world of The Last of Us as Season 2 of HBO’s critically acclaimed adaptation kicks off with Episode 1: “Future Days”.

Five years have passed since the emotional finale of Season 1. Joel and Ellie now reside in Jackson, but find themselves in a fractured relationship. This episode sets the emotional stakes sky-high with a slow-burn reintroduction to beloved characters, stunning cinematography, and a powerful look at what’s to come.

In this deep-dive breakdown, Jamie and Corrina unpack the emotional weight of Joel’s guilt, Ellie's haunting trauma, the jaw-dropping return of infected horror, and the introduction of the enigmatic Abby, played by Kaitlyn Dever. With major game parallels and a few unexpected detours, this episode promises an epic season ahead.

Highlights Breakdown:

00:00 – Intro & returning to Jackson

04:23 – Ellie’s trauma and Jackson’s new reality

09:35 – Joel’s guilt & the “Future Days” guitar scene

16:10 – Abby’s mysterious intro & major casting wins

21:05 – Infected return: Jump scares, horror & action

26:30 – Story structure shifts from game to show

32:15 – The emotional gut-punch ending

38:40 – Theories for Episode 2 & season arcs

Whether you're a fan of the games or new to the story, this breakdown offers insights, Easter eggs, and bold predictions for what lies ahead.

This week’s episode is brought to you by

Australian Wrestling Cards

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