The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 1: All the Easter Eggs and Game Changes you Might have Missed

The Last of Us has always delighted fans with its attention to detail — and season two is no exception. With its season two premiere, HBO's adaptation of the beloved PlayStation game The Last of Us: Part II continues the tradition of weaving in rich Easter eggs and thoughtful changes that enhance the story while honoring the source material. 

From nods to in-game collectibles to the emotional weight of familiar objects, episode one is packed with references that fans of the franchise will instantly recognize. Here’s a full breakdown of the Easter eggs and game-to-show changes from The Last of Us season two, episode one.

Easter Eggs we Spotted:

9. Ellie’s Butterfly-Clad Guitar

One of the first things fans of The Last of Us Part II will notice is Ellie’s acoustic guitar — decorated with a butterfly on the neck. It’s a direct callback to the second game’s opening, where Joel finds a similar guitar in an abandoned house before bringing it to Ellie as a peace offering. 

While the game features him playing Pearl Jam’s “Future Days,” the show adapts the moment slightly, with Joel offering to fix the guitar’s strings. Fans might also spot a Pearl Jam poster on Ellie’s wall — a nice nod to that emotional sequence. As the original article puts it, “Is it dusty in here?” (via Mashable)

Pearl Jam poster in Last of Us II game. This was a cool surprise.
byu/drink2mny inpearljam

8. Ellie’s Journal

A subtle but powerful nod comes when Ellie writes in her journal after patrol — documenting Dina’s “bear-be-cue” joke. In The Last of Us Part II, Ellie frequently sketches and writes thoughts in her journal, offering insight into her inner life. The show’s inclusion of this small moment is a satisfying homage to that mechanic.

7. Savage Starlight & Moon Posters

Fans of the comics will recognize the Savage Starlight poster of Dr. Daniela Star, a collectible Ellie was obsessed with in the first game. The show previously used the comics to bond Ellie and Sam in season one, episode five, through their shared catchphrase: “To the edge of the universe and back, endure and survive.”

Also, on the walls? Posters of the 1969 moon landing, referencing Ellie’s love of space and her dream of becoming an astronaut — as she told Joel in season one, episode six.

6. The Thoughts Twenty Poster & Music References

Ellie’s garage room is loaded with music nods. She’s blasting Nirvana’s “Love Buzz” while cassette tapes from John Denver, Bryan Adams, Glen Campbell, and Marie-Lynn Hammond are visible. There’s a White Stripes record on the wall and a poster referencing The Strokes' Is This It. But fans will especially appreciate the Thoughts Twenty poster — a fictional band that appears in The Last of Us Part II.

5. Employee of the Month Board

During patrol, Ellie and Dina pass by an Employee of the Month board that looks almost identical to the one from the game — right down to the dog as the top performer. In the game, this board helps players locate a safe code.

The July Employee of the Month just like the game #TheLastOfUs pic.twitter.com/v5oVquVmME

— 💙🦂Scorpiogirl2🦂💙 (@NellyBelle3379) April 14, 2025

4. Curtis and Viper 2

On patrol, Dina mentions she and Joel plan to watch Curtis and Viper 2, a fictional film franchise referenced in Part II as something Joel and Ellie bond over.

3. A Familiar Banjo Player

During the dance sequence, a man briefly playing the banjo can be seen. That’s none other than Gustavo Santaolalla — the game’s legendary composer — making a cameo appearance.

2. The Stalkers Return

The episode also brings back a terrifying type of infected from the games: the Stalker, which lurks in the shadows and pounces by surprise.

1. Ellie’s Switchblade

Another blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment: Ellie’s signature switchblade is stabbed into the table beside the door — just like where players first pick it up in the game.

Major Changes from the Game:

7. Joel’s Therapy Sessions and Gail

One of the biggest departures from the source material is Joel’s decision to attend therapy. His therapist, Gail (played by Catherine O’Hara), is a brand-new character created for the series. In a shocking revelation, she turns out to be the widow of Eugene — a man Joel killed.

In the game, Eugene was a former Firefly who worked with Tommy and later mentored Dina. His death is due to natural causes, not violence.

6. Ellie’s Ex-Girlfriend, Cat

Fans finally get to meet Cat — Ellie’s ex-girlfriend who only existed through conversation in the game. Cat is also the one who gives Ellie the tattoo that hides her bite mark.

5. Tommy and Maria’s son

The show also introduces Benjamin, the young son of Tommy and Maria — a character not present in the game but whose inclusion adds emotional depth to the couple’s life in Jackson.

4. Joel and Dina’s bond

Unlike the game, the show allows viewers to witness Joel and Dina forming a bond — a development that deepens the emotional stakes moving forward.

3. Jackson’s Council System

The series also presents a new governance structure in Jackson, showing a council led by Tommy and Maria making settlement-wide decisions — a detail only implied in the game.

2. Early Introduction of Abby and her crew

Perhaps the most surprising change is how early Abby and her Firefly crew are introduced. In the game, players don’t meet them until much later, but the show hints at their presence and motivations from the beginning — subtly raising the tension.

1. The Infected Tendrils

The tendrils make a return as a terrifying visual cue. In the final moments of the episode, we see them slithering through pipes — signaling that Jackson’s peace may not last much longer.

Season two, episode one of The Last of Us doesn’t just continue the story — it deepens the connection between game and show in stunning detail. From emotional callbacks to world-building enhancements, the premiere is packed with moments that reward longtime fans and new viewers alike.

Where can you Stream The Last of Us Season 2?

The Last of Us season two is now streaming on HBO and Max, with new episodes airing weekly on Sundays. The second episode will premiere on April 20, 2025.

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