The Last of Us has finally bring one of the most memorable elements of the plot to its live - natural process show – spores . TLoU Season 2 , Episode 5 is a massive shift in the web series , one that finally bring the show more in coalition with the core mechanics and tone of the game . So what are spores and how do they infect those nearby ?

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Spores have been a frightening representation of the extent of the Cordyceps infection in the game . They drift in the melodic phrase , unseeable to the human eye but evenly lethal , forcing survivors to assume masquerade or dice . In the HBO show , spore did n’t exist … until today .

For over a season , showrunners Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann were indicate against having spores in the show . Why ? For realism and emotional resonance . If all the main characters are fall apart petrol masks at all times , it would plow both their faces and expressions . It would be difficult to make the emotional stake of each scene visible , reducing the shock of deeply affect scenes , like when Ellie fall behind Joel . But Episode 5 marks a turning point .

TLoU S2E5: Spores Introduction and Rat King’s Foreshadowing

title “ Day Two , ” this episode quietly raise tension . It bulge with a shadowy meeting betweenHanrahanand WLF leader Elise , who explains why the hospital cellar was quarantined . Her Logos Leon give away drift spore and , have intercourse it was dangerous , had the area sealed off even though he was trapped there , along with others .

The line : “ The whole floor was empty . Not even rats . ” To game players , this is not just a dialogue , it ’s bode . The basement is now empty , but it ’s likely concealing something far bad than the dead . Something that those who have played the biz can all too easily picture as the Rat King .

The Rat King is quite perchance the most fearsome foeman in The Last of Us Part man . The showrunners putting in the “ not even rats ” line was n’t a coincidence .

A still of Spores

Ellie and Dina in The Last of Us Season 2 | Credits: HBO

Why Spores Are So Dangerous

But spore are not only a setup for next monsters , they are a tone chemise . While Ellie pursue Nora to the humble trading floor of the infirmary , we first become aware of airborne spores . Nora was cough and struggling to catch her breath as she inhale spores . It ’s in the altogether , it ’s dreadful , and it lend the actual revulsion of theinfection back into the head once again .

For those unfamiliar with the games , spore are the last , deadly point of infection . Once the host has pop off , the Cordyceps simply uphold to grow and regurgitate out spore into the atmosphere . Anyone who breathes them in is taint instantaneously . It ’s an inconspicuous , silent , surreptitious , and omnipresent orca .

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A still of Ellie and Dina

Ellie and Dina in The Last of Us Season 2 | Credits: HBO

Throughout Season 1 , the infection was spread primarily through bites and tendrils . But now that spores are added to the equation , the infected zone look all the more horrifying . spore are like fungal melody that is thick and asphyxiate , with last lurking in every breathing spell . It ’s no longer even repulsion , it ’s immersion .

This is also a demonstration of Ellie ’s immunity . In the game , spores are a significant factor in how the world discovers she is immune , as she walks through a cloud of spores unharmed . The show did not do this the same style , but time of year 2 finally suffer it right on an emotional scale .

Ellie Becomes the Last Surviving Human in the Post-Apocalyptic World

In episode 5 , we see Nora wheezing and coughing , while Ellie remains untouched . It ’s executed so perfectly on camera , showcasing how unparalleled Ellie is . Not only is she resistant , she is the only human being who can survive in this world .

The spores are craft dead in the serial . The showrunners did n’t choose for flashy mental imagery or excessive visuals . They instead rendered the fungus as slow , silent , and sinister .

The introduction of the spores make them a lasting part of The Last of Us world , and that spread out up a whole new creation of horrifying possibility . It ’s not so much a doubtfulness of fleeing from the septic anymore , it ’s a question of surviving the air you breathe . That also bring the cordyceps threat back into the picture .

A still of Spores

Ellie observing Spores in The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 5 | Credits: HBO

time of year 2 has been very much centered around human conflict so far . We visualise an excited Ellie hellbent on take her revenge , and the never - endingconflict between WLF and Seraphites . However , the spores are here to prompt us of the overarching plot of the show . human beings is still fighting a war against an enemy fungus that keeps evolving and spread to new areas .

The sequence also hints that the spore wo n’t be restricted or confine to Seattle . Elise inform them that they are not there yet at the atmosphere vents , but spores do not recognize borderline . For now , they are restricted to one basement , but they might disseminate anywhere . It will not be long before other parts of the urban center are in danger .

Future of Season 2 with Spores and Rat King

time of year 2 will sport more survival repugnance with spores affecting the theatrical role , killing many of them . The Rat King ’s reaching and new septic area . Fans of The Last of Us Part II are aware of what is going to happen in the next episodes . If the show continues on the same itinerary , we ’re in for some of the chilling and most unforgettable installment yet .

The spores ’ introduction not only satisfy long - fourth dimension fans , but it gain the show as well . It hints at the fear that Season 1 lack and roots the serial further in the original game material without sacrificing realism . The Last of Us finally sense deep infected .

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A still of Ellie and Joel

Ellie and Joel wearing masks in The Last of Us | Credits: Naughty Dog / Sony Interactive Entertainment

A still of Spores

Ellie in The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 5 | Credits: HBO

The Rat King in Last of Us Part II

The Rat King in The Last of Us Part II | Credits: Naughty Dog / Sony Interactive Entertainment