!['The Last of Us' TV Adaptation Resonates Beyond Gamers](https://cdn.magzter.com/1400077361/1678911259/articles/EKSOOogk91678960634471/The-Last-of-Us-HBO-series-Francis-Fukuyama.jpg)
Fans unfamiliar with the video game, from which the series was adapted, might assume this is just another zombie show packed with action and gore.
However, the story and the characters have subverted expectations and received praise from all corners. "The Last of Us," whose first season concluded Sunday, has not only won over gamers with high expectations, but also people who don't play video games. The series premiere drew 4.7 million viewers in the U.S., based on Nielsen and HBO data, making for HBO's second-largest debut, behind "House of the Dragon!"
"No one could have anticipated this, this reaction and how positive it's been and how broad it's been in its reach," said Neil Druckmann, Naughty Dog co-president and the creator and writer of the video game, whose critically acclaimed first installment was released on Playstation 3 a decade ago.
"And to see a whole bunch of new people connecting with these characters ... and hearing how they interpret the material and what they like or not like, it's just been really fascinating to me," said Druckmann, who was also the co-creator, writer and an executive producer on the show.
The show explores relatable themes like coming of age, grief, finding hope and parenthood. It's not all about zombies - the Infected create the conflict, but aren't the only antagonists, for there are worse and scarier things lurking in this apocalypse. The emotional plot and complex characters have resonated with fans outside the traditional genres the series fits into.
"I'm actually kind of afraid of horror and zombie things and whatnot. Normally, I wouldn't watch that type of show," said Victoria Jin, a 24-year-old law student.
This story is from the March 16, 2023 edition of AppleMagazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 16, 2023 edition of AppleMagazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![FRENCH JUDGE EXTENDS POLICE CUSTODY FOR TELEGRAM CEO PAVEL DUROV](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6454/1813986/N9U7jGY851724935081418/FRENCH-JUDGE-EXTENDS-POLICE-CUSTODY-FOR-TELEGRAM-CEO-PAVEL-DUROV.jpg)
FRENCH JUDGE EXTENDS POLICE CUSTODY FOR TELEGRAM CEO PAVEL DUROV
A French investigative judge extended police custody for the CEO of the popular messaging app Telegram, Pavel Durov, prosecutors said on Tuesday.
![CANADA IMPOSES A 100% TARIFF ON IMPORTS OF CHINESE-MADE ELECTRIC VEHICLES, MATCHING THE US](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6454/1813986/sPn4bnZ_01724934948836/CANADA-IMPOSES-A-100-TARIFF-ON-IMPORTS-OF-CHINESEMADE-ELECTRIC-VEHICLES-MATCHING-THE-US.jpg)
CANADA IMPOSES A 100% TARIFF ON IMPORTS OF CHINESE-MADE ELECTRIC VEHICLES, MATCHING THE US
Trudeau said Canada also will impose a 25% tariff on Chinese steel and aluminum “Actors like China have chosen to give themselves an unfair advantage in the global marketplace,” he said.
![SCHOOLS ARE COMPETING WITH CELLPHONES.HERE'S HOW THEY THINK THEY COULD WIN](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6454/1813986/_wl5BLScv1724934647944/SCHOOLS-ARE-COMPETING-WITH-CELLPHONESHERES-HOW-THEY-THINK-THEY-COULD-WIN.jpg)
SCHOOLS ARE COMPETING WITH CELLPHONES.HERE'S HOW THEY THINK THEY COULD WIN
Isabella Pires first noticed what she calls the “gradual apathy pandemic” in eighth grade.
![HIGH RENTS ARE FORCING SMALL BUSINESSES INTO TOUGH CHOICES LIKE RAISING PRICES OR CHANGING LOCATION](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6454/1813986/p1IqvIrEZ1724934237625/HIGH-RENTS-ARE-FORCING-SMALL-BUSINESSES-INTO-TOUGH-CHOICES-LIKE-RAISING-PRICES-OR-CHANGING-LOCATION.jpg)
HIGH RENTS ARE FORCING SMALL BUSINESSES INTO TOUGH CHOICES LIKE RAISING PRICES OR CHANGING LOCATION
While many costs have come down for small business, rents remain high and in some cases are still rising, forcing many owners into some uncomfortable decisions.
![FAKE ONLINE REVIEWS AND TESTIMONIALS ARE A HEADACHE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES.THEY HOPE THE FTC CAN HELP](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6454/1813986/dFirRb1Si1724934042387/FAKE-ONLINE-REVIEWS-AND-TESTIMONIALS-ARE-A-HEADACHE-FOR-SMALL-BUSINESSESTHEY-HOPE-THE-FTC-CAN-HELP.jpg)
FAKE ONLINE REVIEWS AND TESTIMONIALS ARE A HEADACHE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES.THEY HOPE THE FTC CAN HELP
Online reviews and testimonials are a key way that small businesses can attract new customers and boost sales of products.
![COMIC RELIEF US LAUNCHES NEW ROBLOX GAME TO HELP CHILDREN BUILD COMMUNITY VIRTUALLY AND IN REAL LIFE](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6454/1813986/teNGwVQYI1724933884142/COMIC-RELIEF-US-LAUNCHES-NEW-ROBLOX-GAME-TO-HELP-CHILDREN-BUILD-COMMUNITY-VIRTUALLY-AND-IN-REAL-LIFE.jpg)
COMIC RELIEF US LAUNCHES NEW ROBLOX GAME TO HELP CHILDREN BUILD COMMUNITY VIRTUALLY AND IN REAL LIFE
The notion that online gaming could help players develop charitable habits seemed bold when the anti-poverty nonprofit Comic Relief US tested its own multiverse on the popular worldbuilding app Roblox last year.
![US LABOR REGULATOR SAYS AMAZON IS A JOINT EMPLOYER OF SUBCONTRACTED DELIVERY DRIVERS IN CALIFORNIA](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6454/1813986/Gd4eXvA6r1724933704623/US-LABOR-REGULATOR-SAYS-AMAZON-IS-A-JOINT-EMPLOYER-OF-SUBCONTRACTED-DELIVERY-DRIVERS-IN-CALIFORNIA.jpg)
US LABOR REGULATOR SAYS AMAZON IS A JOINT EMPLOYER OF SUBCONTRACTED DELIVERY DRIVERS IN CALIFORNIA
Prosecutors at a federal labor agency have determined that Amazon is a joint employer of subcontracted drivers who delivered packages for the company in California, pushing back on claims from the online retailer that they are not its employees.
![ZUCKERBERG SAYS THE WHITE HOUSE PRESSURED FACEBOOK OVER SOME COVID-19 CONTENT DURING THE PANDEMIC](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6454/1813986/ptteoe09P1724933544818/ZUCKERBERG-SAYS-THE-WHITE-HOUSE-PRESSURED-FACEBOOK-OVER-SOME-COVID19-CONTENT-DURING-THE-PANDEMIC.jpg)
ZUCKERBERG SAYS THE WHITE HOUSE PRESSURED FACEBOOK OVER SOME COVID-19 CONTENT DURING THE PANDEMIC
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg says senior Biden administration officials pressured Facebook to “censor” some COVID-19 content during the pandemic and vowed that the social media giant would push back if it faced such demands again.
![FUTURE OF SPORTS STREAMING MARKET.CONSUMER OPTIONS UNDER FURTHER SCRUTINY AFTER VENU SPORTS RULING](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6454/1813986/R64sHvBGD1724933266293/FUTURE-OF-SPORTS-STREAMING-MARKETCONSUMER-OPTIONS-UNDER-FURTHER-SCRUTINY-AFTER-VENU-SPORTS-RULING.jpg)
FUTURE OF SPORTS STREAMING MARKET.CONSUMER OPTIONS UNDER FURTHER SCRUTINY AFTER VENU SPORTS RULING
With the U.S. Open tennis tournament beginning Monday and college football kicking into high gear, this was supposed to be the week when some expected the Venu Sports streaming service to have a soft launch at least.
![CRUISE WILL DISPATCH SOME OF ITS TROUBLE-RIDDEN ROBOTAXIS TO JOIN UBER'S RIDE-HAILING SERVICE](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6454/1813986/MOQBXOFhl1724933128191/CRUISE-WILL-DISPATCH-SOME-OF-ITS-TROUBLERIDDEN-ROBOTAXIS-TO-JOIN-UBERS-RIDEHAILING-SERVICE.jpg)
CRUISE WILL DISPATCH SOME OF ITS TROUBLE-RIDDEN ROBOTAXIS TO JOIN UBER'S RIDE-HAILING SERVICE
Cruise’s trouble-ridden robotaxis are joining Uber’s ride-hailing service next year as part of a multiyear partnership bringing together two companies that once appeared poised to compete for passengers.