"Infected" | |
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The Last of Us episode | |
Episode no. | Season 1 Episode 2 |
Directed by | Neil Druckmann |
Written by | Craig Mazin |
Featured music |
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Cinematography by | Ksenia Sereda |
Editing by | Mark Hartzell |
Original air date | January 22, 2023 |
Running time | 53 minutes |
Guest appearances | |
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"Infected" is the second episode of the first season of the American post-apocalyptic drama television series The Last of Us. It was written and directed by series creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, respectively; Druckmann wrote and co-directed the 2013 video game on which the series is based. The episode aired on HBO on January 22, 2023. In the episode, Joel (Pedro Pascal) and his partner Tess (Anna Torv) escort the young Ellie (Bella Ramsey) through a biological contamination area in Boston to reach the Massachusetts State House.
"Infected" was Druckmann's first experience in directing television; he found it reinforced and reflected his experience in directing video games. The episode introduced "clickers", mutated creatures who rely on sound to move, designed using prosthetics with the game's concept art as reference material. Filming for the episode took place in October and November 2021, in Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta; a four-day shoot in the latter cost around CA$372,000.
The episode received positive reviews, with praise for its writing, direction, production design, and performances, particularly Torv's. It was watched by 5.7 million viewers on the first day. The episode received several nominations at the 75th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards, including Torv for Guest Actress in a Drama Series, and won Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup.
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