HBO television drama The Last of Us must urgently alter Tommy's storyline in season three to fix Ellie's character arc, analyst Victor Garcia reported.
While the first season of the post-apocalyptic series achieved a brilliant debut that helped convince major production studios of the commercial potential of video game adaptations, the second season proved far more divisive among viewers after modifying key narrative elements from the original game.
The television adaptation, created by Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann for HBO, is based on Naughty Dog's acclaimed PlayStation video game franchise. The narrative follows immune survivor Ellie, portrayed by Bella Ramsey, navigating a world destroyed by a parasitic fungal pandemic, alongside Joel Miller, played by Pedro Pascal, and his brother Tommy, played by Gabriel Luna.
According to Garcia's analysis published on August 26, 2026, one of the most damaging changes in season two affected Ellie's portrayal, presenting a version of the protagonist that is much harder for audiences to empathise with and significantly less convincing.
Tommy's vengeful departure in the original game
The underlying problem stems directly from the characterization of Tommy. In HBO's adaptation, Tommy's behavior transforms Ellie into a much more impulsive and isolated figure than she was in Naughty Dog's 2020 video game sequel, The Last of Us Part II, making her choices appear far less understandable.
In the original video game, Tommy is far from being a voice of reason when Ellie decides to pursue Abby. Instead, Tommy sets off first on a solo mission to avenge Joel's death, a critical plot point that fundamentally changes how viewers perceive Ellie's motivations.
In the HBO series, Ellie independently makes the decision to confront Abby despite opposition from virtually the entire community in Jackson, Wyoming. Only Dina chooses to accompany Ellie on her trek, while Jesse and Tommy follow later merely to try to bring the pair back to safety.
The settlement of Jackson serves as a primary haven for survivors in the post-apocalyptic wilderness. In the storyline, Dina acts as Ellie's romantic companion, Jesse is a fellow Jackson defender, and Abby Anderson, played in season two by Kaitlyn Dever, is the antagonist responsible for Joel's death.
Gradual character development and future outlook
This divergence leaves the television version of Ellie appearing as the sole individual willing to consume herself with vengeance. In contrast, the original story provides Ellie with a companion whose actions feed her vengeful feelings and almost push her into action.
The original video game built Ellie's psychological evolution in a much more gradual manner. Because Tommy departs first in the game, Ellie is able to convince herself that her journey is not purely about seeking revenge against Abby, but also about locating and protecting a loved one who has placed himself in grave danger.
This internal justification allows the game's protagonist to deceive herself through much of the story, rendering her decisions distinctly more human. By removing Tommy's initial vengeful quest, the television adaptation causes Ellie's obsession to seem far more irrational from the outset.
Despite these narrative hurdles, the series retains ample opportunity to correct its course in upcoming episodes. Season two adapted only approximately the first half of The Last of Us Part II, leaving season three with sufficient narrative space to explore the deeper consequences of the decisions made by both Ellie and Tommy.
