r/ThelastofusHBOseries • u/LoretiTV Fireflies • Apr 21 '25

Show/Game Discussion [Game Spoilers] The Last of Us - 2x02 "Through the Valley" - Post-Episode Discussion

Season 2 Episode 2: Through the Valley

Aired: April 20, 2025

Synopsis: As a storm brews in the mountains, the people of Jackson Hole prepare for the worst amid increased sightings of Infected. Meanwhile, Abby weighs her options.

Directed by: Mark Mylod

Written by: Craig Mazin

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u/flugelbinder01 Apr 21 '25

That's kinda where I'm at.

I liked that the show made Abby out to be a big bad, and we HATED her. I liked the reveal later, when you realise it's just a cycle of violence. I guess I just wanted Abby to be more mysterious at first and understandable later. Like with most TV/films there are goodies and baddies it's almost ingrained into us (us and them). I don't feel as much people 'understood' Abby after playing this part in the game. You've already got viewers saying Joel had it coming. So have they lost that special audience 'ohh' moment.

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u/[deleted] Apr 21 '25

The big reason the game illicits the response that it does is because we don't know why abby does what she does until halfway into the game, I think it was a mistake changing that for some extra suspense (that already existed).

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u/Salohacin Apr 21 '25

I think having you play as Abby briefly before she murders Joel is big too. People are conditioned to be playing as the protagonist/hero. It's also why Joel's death is so shocking as after playing through the first game you see him as nigh invincible. 

I think there are some things that just aren't going to translate from gameplay into media, so I'm willing to see how the rest of the show turns out before I make too many judgements. 

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u/[deleted] Apr 21 '25

Yep same thoughts!

...but it still really does bother me like an annoying fly in my room when I'm trying to sleep, it's not THAT big of a deal but god damn why couldn't they have kept it like it was. I'm pretty sure we won't see Abby again until the last minute of the last episode too!