The Last of Us: 8 biggest changes from the video game in season 1

5. Introducing Jackson

Speaking of changes that set up season 2, we have to talk next about Jackson. Featured in Episode 6, “Kin,” the Jackson settlement is by far the most functional society we’ve seen so far. The people are happy, safe and well-fed; they’ve even got movie night! Jackson, it seems, has it figured out.

As it turns out, we never actually see Jackson up close during the first The Last of Us game. Instead, Joel and Ellie meet Tommy and Maria at a nearby hydroelectric dam they’re trying to repair. All the relevant scenes from the game take place there or at a nearby ranch. But in the show, Ellie and Joel go to Jackson itself.

Near the end of the season 1 finale, Ellie and Joel make their way back to Jackson to settle down after the tragic events in Salt Lake City. Without getting too deep into spoilers, The Last of Us Part II spends a decent amount of time in Jackson, really fleshing out the location and the people who live there.

By introducing us to Jackson proper during season 1, the show laid a lot of groundwork for its return as a major location in season 2. There were a ton of easter eggs in Jackson which will be relevant to season 2, from Ellie meeting her future horse Shimmer to a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cameo from Dina, her partner in the second game.