The Last of Us premiered to 4.7 million viewers and has continued to grow its audience ever since. While it may not have spread as quickly as a cordyceps infection, it’s safe to say that the show has been a huge hit. Fans recently received news that The Last of Us has already been renewed for a second season.
If you’re here, you’re probably looking forward to diving into some additional information about both the game and the show. Well, you’ve come to the right place! We’re here to explain how the infection started and spread across both the show and the game. While similar, both versions have their own unique take on the rise and fall of humanity.
Where did the infection begin to show?
The HBO adaptation of The Last of Us shows the beginnings of the infection in Jakarta, Indonesia. Fungi evolved due to global warming, and are now able to survive inside humans.
The ground zero for infection also includes a flour plant, which is where Cordyceps can live and spread. The second episode of The Last of Us introduces viewers to Ibu Ratna, an expert in this field, who immediately declares the situation to be helpless for humanity.
Where did the infection start in the game?
The game is not specific about the origin of the infection. Players know that the infection started somewhere in South America and involved infected crops.
Since the scope of the game is still so focused on Joel and Ellie, we never get to see the root of the infection like we do in the show. In the third episode of the show, Joel tells Ellie more about the initial spread of the infection. It’s hard to say if Joe on the show knows more than Joel on the game, because Joel never shares what he knows about the beginnings of the injury on the show.
How does the infection spread in the show?
In the process of adaptation, the initial spread of infection involved yeast-based products. In the first episode of the show, we see Joel’s neighbor eating cookies. Later in the episode, she is injured.
We also see the first hours of infection spreading through bites as humans become violent and attack each other. Patient Zero is never found, which is pretty much dehumanizing in Ippu Ratna’s eyes.
How does infection spread in the game?
In the game, the initial spread of infection includes bad crops. It is not determined which crops were responsible for the spread or how Joel and his family avoided them.
In addition to bad crops, infection is spread by biting. This is very similar to the show, though there isn’t even a mention of patient zero. As infections spread, germs also become a problem for humanity. Inhaling fungal spores can infect people, which is why Joel always carries a gas mask. This threat is completely absent from the show.
