The Last of Us TV series boldly ventures beyond its source material, adding depth to its narrative and characters. The poignant moment of Joel’s death in Season 2, Episode 2, leads to a powerful portrayal of grief in Episode 3. This episode not only sets the stage for Ellie’s quest for vengeance but also reinterprets the storyline of a key character: Joel’s brother, Tommy Miller.
Spoilers Warning:
This post contains spoilers about Tommy’s character in The Last of Us Part 2 video game and Season 2 of the TV show, so proceed with caution.
Tommy’s Storyline in The Last of Us Part 2 Game
In The Last of Us Part 2 video game, Tommy visits Ellie immediately following Joel’s tragic death at the hands of Abby. Concerned about Ellie’s dangerous desire for vengeance, Tommy attempts to dissuade her, fearing for her safety. He offers to speak with Maria to form a team to pursue justice for Joel’s death.
As the plot unfolds, Tommy’s anguish leads him to Seattle independent of Ellie. Despite his sorrow, he struggles with the duty to protect Jackson and writes a letter to his wife before seeking revenge alone.
Tommy’s emotional struggle deepens as he wishes to prevent Ellie from repeating his own mistakes. Urging Maria to persuade Ellie to remain safe in Jackson, he faces the reality that Ellie’s resolve is unshakeable as she and Dina embark on a quest in Seattle, uncovering the dark truths of Tommy’s actions.
Tommy’s Story Rewritten for The Last of Us Season 2
In contrast, the TV series adapts Tommy’s storyline with a noticeable shift. Following Joel’s death, there’s a three-month time gap where Jackson Town faces an infection breach, a dramatic turn not present in the game. As a council member, Tommy actively engages in rebuilding Jackson while grappling with his brother’s loss. Unlike the impulsive quest for vengeance seen in the game, he takes a more calculated approach this time.
Tommy expresses genuine concern for Ellie’s well-being, seeking guidance from a therapist about her actions and revealing his desire to prevent her from becoming consumed by vengeance like Joel. While the series retains key elements from the game, it ultimately keeps Tommy firmly rooted in Jackson, introducing us to his family dynamics, including his son.
This decision may seem like a squandering of Tommy’s potential. The video game only had limited space for his character amidst Ellie and Abby’s intertwined narratives, making fans yearn for more depth in the live-action adaptation.
Nevertheless, Tommy’s confinement in Jackson leaves fans, particularly those familiar with the game, feeling unsatisfied. Yet there remains a silver lining; Tommy might still pursue Ellie and Dina as they embark on their revenge mission. However, this alteration may significantly reshape the narrative and character arcs moving forward.
For fans of the TV show, a key moment arrives when Tommy attempts to convince Ellie to embrace her desire for vengeance at a climactic point in the narrative—an act that challenges her resolve to leave violence behind. The repercussions of these changes in the storyline remain to be seen, as viewers await how closely the series aligns with the game’s dramatic outcomes.
Share your thoughts about the evolution of Tommy’s character in the comments below, and let’s explore how these changes resonate with your expectations!