The Last of Us is an incredibly popular video game franchise that has spawned a television adaptation. The first season of The Last of Us made some significant changes to the Infected, taking inspiration from the actual Cordyceps fungus. The show abandoned this idea for reasons that are unclear, but could have been due to creative differences or budget constraints. In this blog post, we will explore why The Last of Us season 1 never used its best change to the Infected, and what impact this could have had on the show.

Firstly, let's take a closer look at the changes made to the Infected. In the original game, the Infected are depicted as zombie-like creatures that are infected with a virus that has destroyed human civilization. However, in the show, the Infected are based on a real-life fungus called Cordyceps. Cordyceps is a parasitic fungus that targets and infects insects, then takes control of their nervous system, eventually killing them and sprouting out of their body. This is a fascinating and horrifying concept, and one that could have added a new level of realism to the show.

The first season of The Last of Us began with a truly terrifying scene that showed a group of survivors hunting for supplies in a Cordyceps-infested city. They were chased by Infected, who were depicted as almost plant-like creatures, with fungus growing out of their heads and bodies. This was a truly unique take on the Infected, and one that would have set The Last of Us apart from other zombie shows.

So why did the show abandon this idea? One possible reason is that it was simply too difficult and expensive to create the Cordyceps-infected creatures. Creating realistic-looking fungus creatures would require a high level of special effects, which could have been budgeted out of the show. Additionally, the showrunners may have felt that the concept was too far removed from the original game, and would have alienated fans of the franchise.

However, abandoning the Cordyceps-infected creatures may have been a missed opportunity. By basing the Infected on a real-life fungus, the show could have explored the idea of nature taking back control from humans. It could have added an environmental message to the show, highlighting the damage that humans have done to the planet. Additionally, the Cordyceps-infected creatures would have been truly unique, and could have captured the attention of a broader audience.

Overall, the decision to abandon the Cordyceps-infected creatures was likely a creative choice made by the show's producers. However, it could have been a missed opportunity to make a truly original and groundbreaking show. Hopefully, the next season of The Last of Us will take another chance at exploring this concept, and give us a glimpse into a world where nature has its revenge.