The Last of Us TV series: A lesson in mediocrity

Why the HBO live-action rendition of the acclaimed video game makes more missteps than a blind clicker.

**SPOILER ALERT**

The Last of Us TV series is finally out. Based on the acclaimed video game of the same name, critics are calling it ‘spectacular’ and ‘one of the finest TV shows you will see this year’. In the tradition of unpopular opinions, I’m going to suggest the contrary: The Last of Us TV series is not a masterpiece, in fact, it’s mediocre.

The problem is not that the series diverts from the game, it’s that it diverts when it should stick, and sticks when it should divert. In fact, the first episode is marred by so many pacing problems and cliches it’s unlikely to ever recover.

Take the opening scene: The year is 1960, and a dour scientist, played by John Hannah, chooses the forum of a light-entertainment show, to warn about a worldwide fungal pandemic in the not-to-distant future. We are told what the fungus is likely to be, how the fungus will affect people, and finally, its implications. The segment ends with the terse words ‘we lose’ and an uneasy gulp from the TV host. This scene is ridiculous and melodramatic. Fundamentally, it reveals way too much – a problem that besets the rest of the episode.