The HBO series The Last of Us holds a firm place in my weekly routine. Every Sunday, after his long day catching up on all the last-minute challenges, prepare for a 45-minute Zombie Apocalypse Wonderland.
Every time I watch the show, I can’t help but feel that the show has an underlying conservative storyline. While some may consider the show liberal, the show is also based on conservative ideals, especially considering Episode 3 focuses on a beautifully romantic storyline between two men. increase.
After a global fungal infection ravages civilization and turns victims into zombie-like creatures, survivors are forced to adapt to a new lifestyle and fight for their lives. People are rounded up by a government agency (FEDRA) that embodies a hostile role in assuming authoritarian control in a controlled quarantine zone, while others take their lives into their own hands. choose to surrender.
In this dystopian landscape, we meet Joel Miller (Pedro Pascal), a single father tasked with protecting 14-year-old Ellie Williams (Bella Ramsey).
I believe the reason the show takes a conservative view suggests that a health crisis that requires government control could lead to fascism. It was not so long ago that we were guided by government mandates to fight and control the spread of the virus.
But “The Last of Us” shows a brutal rather than understanding and humane government. Public executions, mass shootings, and inhumane rules characterize the new government system, and it’s up to the characters to protect themselves.
Some characters embody conservative thinking. For example, Episode 3 introduces Bill (Nick Offerman). Bill (Nick Offerman) is an overthinking prepper who has been preparing for a complete apocalypse his entire life. After seeing his neighbor being dragged into quarantine, Bill hides from the agents. Considering his neighbor ends up in a mass grave in a few minutes, he’s a smart move.
Bill later raids firearms, hardware and liquor stores to prepare for a comfortable lonely life, safely isolated from everyone. lived a life and thrived on the Otarchy he created. Bill’s anti-government stance and suspicion, weapon proficiency and practical skills allow him to maintain a protective shelter.
And no one can ignore Bill’s underground lair filled with surveillance equipment and weapons to defend his man-made fortress.
Hard to see, but the dystopian genre follows conservative values, reinforcing them and presenting them as the only viable avenues for survival. Succeed by learning to shoot and immersing yourself in nature.
The genre sees government norms useless as citizens manage their own security by arming themselves and bending government conventions. Take The Walking Dead, a show that features post-epidemic government brutality and appeals to weapons and self-preservation tactics.
But that’s not to say I didn’t enjoy the show. I love the show and enjoy the post-apocalyptic genre. Thrilling and interesting. Even my series recommendations list is filled with similar genre TV shows and movies.
But “The Last of Us” must admit that many shows that have followed the genre uphold conservative ideals that critics in particular tend to ignore. Conservative viewers in the department were outraged by the LGBTQ+ angle in episode 3, failing to realize that the overarching theme only bolstered their values.
This argument can be taken from another angle as well, suggesting how liberals are rooting for beautiful couples with an affinity for hoarding guns and moving away from social norms. (Though the series makes this an intellectual response given to the fascist government)..that’s the interesting nature of the genre. It just unwittingly blurs political lines and connects viewers with an affinity equal to that of a dystopian narrative.