Why The Infected Horde Targeted Jackson In The Last Of Us Season 2

Warning: Contains SPOILERS for The Last of Us season 2, episode 2!

In the second episode of The Last of Us season 2, we see a significant departure from the video game’s storyline during the Jackson fight sequence. Unlike the first season which largely followed the original game, this change was likely influenced by the controversial nature of The Last of Us Part II. This alteration introduces a large-scale battle between Tommy, the Infected, and the residents of the Jackson settlement.

Episode 2 continues immediately from where The Last of Us season 2, episode 1 concluded, as Abby and her Firefly companions manage to track down Joel. In this installment, we find Joel and Dina encountering Abby’s group during a scouting mission, while Ellie and Jesse are on their own scout elsewhere. As a result, the principal characters of The Last of Us are not in Jackson when a horde of Infected assaults, forcing Tommy to take charge and defend the settlement.

The Last Of Us Season 2’s Vines Draw The Infected Horde To Jackson In Episode 2

Building Off An Episode 1 Cliffhanger

In the second episode of The Last of Us season 2, it took me aback when the Infected attacked Jackson. Many residents were caught off guard, as they hadn’t anticipated such a large-scale ambush. Initially, there was much confusion about how these Infected had suddenly multiplied in such great numbers. Yet, a group of workers might have uncovered the secret. Towards the end of episode 1, they stumbled upon Cordyceps that were growing in Jackson’s pipelines.

It’s plausible, but not yet proven, that these Cordyceps fungi attracted the Infected to Jackson. They might have functioned as a magnet for the Infected, guiding them towards the settlement. Although this isn’t a feature in the game, The Last of Us on HBO has a history of altering how the Infected behave.

The Last Of Us Season 2’s Infected Being Connected To The Vines Highlights A Cordyceps Power

Continuing Season 1’s Big Infected Change

In the captivating world of “The Last of Us,” it’s fascinating to consider if the transformed individuals, or the Infected, are actually intricately linked to the vines in the Jackson pipeline. This connection could underscore a profound aspect of the Cordyceps fungus, a menace that, in this game, takes the form of airborne spores capable of annihilating humans and transforming them into Infected. However, what makes HBO’s adaptation extraordinary is its reimagining of this threat. Rather than spores being the primary danger, the show presents an intricate web of underground Cordyceps that forms a network, adding a layer of complexity to the narrative.

The vines of Cordyceps within the pipes might be linked to this system. Those working near the pipes could have inadvertently signaled the Infected about Jackson’s presence, leading them to attack. Just as in the first season of “The Last of Us“, stepping on certain Cordyceps parts can trigger such alerts. The second season may delve deeper into this concept.

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2025-04-21 06:27

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