Infected (The Last of Us)

"Infected"
The Last of Us episode
An infected human moves in to kiss a shocked woman, with tendrils connecting their mouths.
The infection is spread to Tess via mouth. The scene was written and filmed like a kiss to underscore the theme of love.[1] It sparked both positive and negative responses.[2][3][4]
Episode no.Season 1
Episode 2
Directed byNeil Druckmann
Written byCraig Mazin
Produced by
  • Greg Spence
  • Cecil O'Connor
Featured music
Cinematography byKsenia Sereda
Editing byMark Hartzell
Original air dateJanuary 22, 2023 (2023-01-22)
Running time53 minutes
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
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The Last of Us season 1
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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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  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Total Film Review was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference GamesRadar Kiss was invoked but never defined (see the help page).