Spoilers for The Final of Us’ Season 2 premiere, “Future Days” lie forward, so learn on at your individual discretion.
The Final of Us Season 2 lastly hit the 2025 TV schedule final weekend, and the premiere didn’t disappoint. Not solely did the present reacquaint viewers with Bella Ramsey’s Joel and Pedro Pascal’s Ellie, but it surely additionally launched just a few new faces, together with an unique character who didn’t seem within the video games. I’m speaking about Catherine O’Hara’s Gail, the husband of pre-existing character Eugene, who’s useless by the occasions of the episode. His story might be highlighted later this season, and O’Hara’s tease has me eager to raid Gail’s stash.
Gail is a psychotherapist, who lives within the survivor colony in Jackson, Wyoming. It’s there that she treats sufferers, together with Joel, who pays her with marijuana. Throughout an intense scene from the premiere, Gail breaks together with her ethics and berates Joel for killing Eugene, who grew hashish for his spouse. Gail’s embittered, however compelling, spiel definitely provides the indication that the scenario viewers will see is past tragic. Catherine O’Hara didn’t spill any of the beans about it when speaking to EW, however what she did say is giving me chills:
I’ve by no means needed to cry a lot for therefore many takes. It was killer.
I’m shocked to listen to that the actress has apparently by no means finished a lot crying for therefore many takes. Severely, what are we about to see?. TLoU is thought for delivering intense scenes and, for me, it doesn’t get any simpler the extra I see them. Truthfully, I’m not one to partake in any form of hashish utilization nor would I overtly impose that suggestion on others on this context. After listening to the Schitt’s Creek star share her take, although, I’m questioning if a little bit of grass would possibly really be essential to course of the occasions which can be going to unfold.
Whereas this plot level alluded to in The Final of Us Season 2 premiere could also be tragic, it’s additionally a artistic transfer on the producers’ components. In TLoU: Half II, on which the season relies, Eugene is a personality who’s solely talked about and seen in images. The addition of Gail makes for an attention-grabbing option to construct on his story and add new layers to it, equally to how the writers modified Invoice and Frank’s story from Season 1. Particulars on the upcoming episode are sparse, however what is thought is that veteran actor Joe Pantoliano performs Eugene. Trailer footage additionally confirmed a glimpse of him, with Joel pointing a gun at him from behind.
There’s, after all, far more to the second season’s inaugural episode than Joel and Gail’s tense session. Notably, there are additionally some wonderful nods to Half II, together with the dance scene the place Ellie and buddy Gina share a passionate kiss. Ellie’s encounter with the crafty contaminated lady, often known as a Stalker, can be a spotlight of the installment. On a considerably grimmer observe, Joel and Ellie’s relationship is tough now, and it’s tough seeing the surrogate father and daughter at odds.
Joel’s urge to guard Ellie is a most important level of rivalry throughout his chat with Gail, who already is aware of there’s one thing he’s hiding. That’s, after all, his choice to avoid wasting Ellie from dying and upend efforts to provide a remedy to the fungal-based virus. With a lot drama at play right here, I stay each excited and nervous for what’s to return – Eugene’s episode included. I’m curious as as to if that installment will certainly be sufficient of a heartbreaker to warrant viewers rolling one up with a view to cope.
Watch The Final of Us Season 2 when new episodes air on Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and are concurrently obtainable to stream with a Max subscription.