All The Big Easter Eggs From HBO's 'The Last Of Us'

TV & Film

Mar 11

Fans of The Last of Us video games saw the story translated to streaming in HBO’S new series. Creators Neil Druckman and Craig Mazin were sure to honor the games with some choice Easter eggs.

Episode 1

Dinosaur birthday card in the game
Image Source: YouTube

In the series premiere, Joel’s dinosaur birthday card, which players can interact with in the game, is spotted on Sarah’s desk.
Later in the show, Ellie borrows Curtis and Viper 2, one of Joel’s favorite 80s action flicks.
Devoted HBO cinematographer Ksenia Sereda allowed herself to be strapped down in the backseat of Joel’s truck to capture the perfect shot.

Episode 2

The Last of Us giraffe — Giraffe plush in the show
Image Source: The Gamer

Tess uses a lighter lifted straight from another Naughty Dog franchise Uncharted. The lighter has a design with a star and the number 76 to match the one Sam Drake uses in A Thief’s End. Joel,
Tess and Ellie later spot a battered giraffe plush that hints toward a major event at the end of the first game.

Episode 3

The Last of Us Title Screen — The game’s title screen
Image Source: PressStartOnce

In Episode 3, Joel explains the science behind the infected. The cordyceps fungi contaminated food and lead to a brain infection that turned humans into Clickers. The game only hints at this scenario through littered newspapers that players find.
Later, the character Frank wears a red plaid shirt that Joel can wear in the game as a reward for completing the game on Hard difficulty.
In the game, as players explore Frank’s garage, they find his breakup letter addressed to Bill. In the show, Joel stumbles across a letter meant for him that shows how Bill and Frank died in peace.

At the end of the episode, the camera lingers on an open window in Bill and Frank’s house to recreate the game’s title screen.

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Episode 4

Perry in the show
Image Source: CinemaBlend

En route to Kansas City, Joel and Ellie listen to a Hank Williams cassette tape. In the game, the song is “I’ll Never Get Out of this World Alive,” while in the show, the pair listens to “Alone and Forsaken.”
As they make their way to Kansas City, the pair drive across a bridge in reference to the game duo fleeing from the Hunters across a bridge to Pittsburgh.
Jeffery Pierce, the voice of Joel’s brother Tommy in the games, takes on the role of Perry, the right-hand man to Kathleen.

Episode 5

*Savage Starlight* in the game
Image Source: Push Square

When Joel and Ellie go underground, they find hints of a community that made the tunnels their homes. In an underground classroom, the pair find a crayon drawing of two men Danny and Ish who served as protectors of the community. Curious players will recognize the men from notes found in this area in the game.
In the show, Ellie and Sam bond over a shared love of Savage Starlight, a comic book collectible that players can find in the game.

Episode 6

*The Last of Us* game’s concept art
Image Source: The Last of Us Wiki

The scene with Joel and Ellie sitting next to a campfire under the northern lights comes from the game’s concept art.
When Tommy and Maria feed Joel and Ellie a hot meal, a girl stares at Ellie from behind a pillar. Fans believe this character to be Dina, Ellie’s girlfriend in Part II although no casting has been announced for the character.
Later, when the group goes to the stables, Ellie pets a horse named Shimmer, her steed companion in the second game.

Episode 7

Captain Kwong’s keychain in the show
Image Source: HBO Max

Captain Kwong has a keychain with the Naughty Dog logo on his desk.
At the mall, viewers can see a poster for Dawn of the Wolf: Part II, a fictional franchise that The Last of Us players will recognize.

Episode 8

James in The Last of Us — James in the show
Image Source: Slash Film

Troy Baker, the original voice of Joel in the game, returns to the show to play the role of James, the assistant to the cult leader David.
A sign that reads, “When We Are In Need He Shall Provide,” appears in the background in Todd’s Steakhouse and Bar in both the game and the show.

The final episode of the first season streams on HBO Max on Sunday, March 12. The show has also been renewed for a second season, so fans can look forward to finding more Easter eggs.

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