The latest episode of HBO’s “The Last of Us” has left fans shocked and emotional as the bloody siege of Jackson and Joel’s death at the hands of Abby unfolded on screen. Composer David Fleming knew he had a challenging task ahead of him as he crafted the music to accompany these monumental moments.
Collaborating with Gustavo Santaolalla, who also worked on the music for the video games, Fleming carefully balanced the emotional beats and intense action sequences in the episode. Santaolalla focused on the character work, while Fleming delved into the action-packed scenes.
During the siege of Jackson, Fleming used de-tuned cellos and bode banjos to create an expansive soundscape, immersing viewers in the chaos of the town’s defense against the infected. As Abby scaled the wall with the clicker horde in pursuit, Fleming had to find a way to intensify the scene without overshadowing the earlier invasion of Jackson.
Santaolalla, who knew Joel’s fate from his work on the game, incorporated familiar themes to heighten the emotional impact of Joel and Ellie’s final goodbye. Using instruments like the ronroco, Santaolalla crafted a raw and poignant score for this heartbreaking moment.
Episode 2 also marks a turning point for Abby, a character introduced this season who has been a controversial figure in the games. While her decision to kill Joel is difficult to watch, the composers approached scoring her moments with nuance, capturing her anger and pain without simplifying her character as a traditional villain.
Fleming embraced elements from the game, such as Abby’s militaristic crew, in his themes for the episode. However, he also recognized the importance of staying true to the spirit of the show and allowing Santaolalla the freedom to diverge from the source material when necessary.
Ultimately, the music in “The Last of Us” aims to immerse viewers in the characters’ experiences, creating a sense of urgency and emotion that mirrors the intensity of the on-screen action. As the story unfolds, the music plays a crucial role in shaping the narrative and evoking a visceral response from the audience.
