When we last left the dramatic post-apocalyptic world of HBO's "The Last of Us", Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) had found refuge in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, a former ski resort turned into a safe haven from the fungus-infected zombies plaguing America. But every action has consequences, particularly Joel's choice to lie about a fateful event that led to the destruction of a hospital. His actions continue to resonate, influencing character relationships and setting the plot for the seven-episode second season.

The creators, Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, stay faithful to the source material of the original game. However, the narrative structure becomes more bifurcated in the second season, embracing a new direction that elevates character development above linear progression. Ramsey's Ellie moves from being a sharp-tongued youngster to a burdened young woman under the strain of inherited secrets and harsh realities. And though the series continues to impress with its outstanding production quality, this season's pace consciously slows down, focusing on detailed world-building.

The town of Jackson Hole, under the leadership of Joel's brother Tommy (Gabriel Luna) and sister-in-law Maria (Rutina Wesley), evolves into a nascent civilization, against the backdrop of which new characters and relationships are explored. Particularly noticeable is the introduction of Abby (Kaitlyn Dever), a survivor with a bone to pick and revenge on her mind. This season also sees a shift in Ellie's companionship, with her best friend Dina (Isabela Merced) taking the spotlight.

The zombies, offspring of the Cordyceps fungus, remain a constant threat, but the void of society they leave in their wake triggers an exploration of justice and revenge among the surviving humans. The moral dilemmas faced by Ellie and other characters form the crux of the season. HBO will premiere Season 2 of "The Last of Us" on April 13, with episodes airing weekly thereafter.