‘The Last of Us’ and ‘future Days’: A Musical Connection
CAPITAL — May 17, 2024 — The HBO series The Last of Us leverages “Future Days” by Pearl Jam to enrich its narrative. Recently, the show included Ellie singing the song during a pivotal scene, echoing the song’s profound connection to the video game source material. The inclusion of “Future Days” sparked discussions about timeline consistency and thematic resonance. Experts agree this song’s presence elevates Ellie’s character arc.
‘The Last of Us’ and the Significance of Pearl Jam’s “Future Days”
The latest episode of HBO’s The Last of Us featured a poignant moment: Ellie, portrayed by Bella Ramsey, singing a fragment of a Pearl Jam song in an abandoned Seattle theater. For fans of the original video game series, this brief musical interlude carries important weight. The song, “Future Days,” from Pearl Jam’s 2013 album Lightning Bolt, is deeply intertwined with Ellie’s character arc.
Though, viewers new to the franchise through the HBO adaptation might not fully grasp the song’s importance, especially given the show’s altered timeline and rearranged plot elements. This article delves into why “Future Days” matters, exploring its role in the game and speculating on its future within the television series.
“Future days” in ‘the Last of Us Part II’
In the video game The Last of Us part II, “Future Days” appears much earlier in the narrative. The game opens with joel returning to the Jackson settlement with a guitar. Recalling his promise to teach Ellie how to play, Joel presents her with the instrument, offering to play something for her.
What follows is a touching scene where Joel performs an understated rendition of the Pearl Jam song. As one source describes it, joel actor troy Baker delivers his best performance as a “guy who really feels what he’s singing but is maybe not good at singing.”
The performance, though imperfect, resonates deeply.
If I ever were to lose you, I’d surely lose myself.
Pearl Jam, “Future Days”
Despite the song’s directness, Ellie appreciates the gesture. Joel then hands her the guitar, initiating her musical journey. This scene is pivotal, setting the stage for the game’s themes and symbolically passing the torch to Ellie, who becomes the primary playable character. throughout Part II, Ellie is shown playing “Future Days,” reflecting on Joel and their shared past.
The HBO Series and Timeline Discrepancies
the HBO series has yet to depict these scenes. Initially, there were concerns that the song might be omitted entirely due to the show’s altered timeline.The series begins in 2003, a decade earlier than the game’s 2013 start date. Given that Lightning Bolt was released in 2013, the song’s existence within the show’s chronology seemed improbable.
Did You Know?
Naughty Dog, the developer of ‘The Last of Us’ games, has suggested that Pearl Jam may have performed “Future Days” at live concerts before the release of Lightning Bolt. However, this explanation doesn’t fully resolve the timeline issues within the HBO series.
The brief appearance of “Future Days” in the recent episode has reignited hope among fans. Despite Ellie’s emotional distress preventing her from singing more than a line, the moment was significant. It alleviated fears that the song would be cut from the show due to timeline inconsistencies.
Looking Ahead
The question remains: will the show address the timeline discrepancy, or will it simply be overlooked for the sake of the song’s narrative importance? The next episode, reportedly a flashback-heavy installment focusing on Joel, may provide some answers.Many fans are hoping for a full cover of “Future Days” from pedro Pascal, who plays Joel.
Such a performance could offer a palate cleanse after the events of this week’s episode,
providing a moment of emotional respite and deepening the connection between the characters and the audience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pro Tip
Re-watch the relevant scenes from ‘The Last of Us part II’ to fully appreciate the emotional weight of “Future Days.” Pay attention to Ellie’s reactions and the context surrounding the song’s performance.
