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Mild spoilers follow for The Last of Us season 2 episode 1.

The Last of Us season 2 has a lot to live up to. Its predecessor set a high bar for HBO's TV adaptation of Naughty Dog's popular video game franchise. So, the pressure on season 2 to reach the heady heights of the hit series' first season and authentically adapt the story told in The Last of Us Part II couldn't be greater.

Based on this season's opening episode, 'Future Days', it seems The Last of Us' sophomore season will be a largely faithful take on its gaming namesake. However, future episodes will need to ratchet up the tension, melodrama, and horror-infused action if season 2 wants to be talked about as glowingly as its forebear.

The dark side of us

Some years have passed since we last saw Ellie (left), pictured here with Joel's brother Tommy (right) (Image credit: Liane Hentscher/HBO)

Like The Last of Us Part II game, episode 1 of the hit HBO series' second season reunites us with Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) after a time jump. Indeed, five years have passed since the explosive season 1 finale where Joel massacred numerous Fireflies to save Ellie's life.

Remember, she's immune to the Cordyceps virus because the Fireflies' doctors believe the fungus has been growing in her brain since she was born. So, they were going to use Ellie's brain to create a vaccine, which would kill Ellie in the process. Cue a furious Joel going on a bloodthirsty rampage to rescue Ellie, seemingly consigning humanity to its fate with no cure to combat the virus, and then lying to Ellie about what actually happened at the Fireflies camp.

I was already convinced that Dever would be a vengeance-fuelled tour de force

One push of the fast-forward button later, and the pair have grown accustomed to life in Jackson, the now-bustling Wyoming town that's become a safe haven from the life-threatening, global scourge that's decimated humanity.

Before we catch up with our intrepid duo, there's the small matter of addressing Joel's murder spree and the deceased Fireflies' devastated relatives left to pick up the pieces. That includes Kaitlyn Dever's Abby, The Last of Us Part II's divisive deuteragonist, whose father is among the people Joel mercilessly gunned down.

What's immediately apparent about Dever's Abby is that she's not as physically imposing as her video-game counterpart. Loathed as Abby is by some The Last of Us fans for events in the game that I won't spoil here, I suspect those same devotees will be vexed over what they perceive to be an unnecessary tweak to her build.

I've no doubt that Dever will deliver a powerful portrayal of Abby in HBO's TV adaptation (Image credit: Liane Hentscher/HBO)

Honestly, though, I don't mind this minor, if controversial, change. Yes, Abby's physicality is a large part of her identity, so the decision to downgrade this part of her character is one reason why fans expressed concern for Dever's welfare in the lead-up to season 2's release.

Nonetheless, based on her portrayal of tough and complex yet empathetic characters in other projects, I was already convinced that Dever would be a vengeance-fuelled tour de force in HBO's small-screen adaptation. My confidence has only grown after witnessing the emotional gravitas she imbues Abby with during her limited screentime in 'Future Days', and I can't wait to see how she builds on the character in Part II in future episodes.

Season 2 isn't afraid to show how Joel and Ellie's once-strong bond has deteriorated

By and large, though, this is still the Ellie and Joel show, and the critically acclaimed Max series isn't afraid to show how their once-strong bond has deteriorated in the time since we last saw them.

A major part of the heartbreaking shift in their relationship is down to Ellie's growth as a person. She's still the oft-amusing, impulsive, and reckless individual we came to adore in The Last of Us season 1, but an animalistic fury – one born out of traumatic events she's endured – now courses through her veins. That means she's not only physically older and more world-weary than last season's Ellie, but also far more temperamental and destructive than before.

Pascal's emotionally rich performance in 'Future Days' tugs at the heartstrings (Image credit: HBO)

Unfortunately for Joel, he bears the brunt of the highly charged verbal torpedoes Ellie lets loose. This is more than a normal teen rebelling against a parent, biological or otherwise, though. Indeed, it's a surrogate father-daughter bond on the verge of total collapse.

A clear animosity has developed between them since The Last of Us TV show's season 1 finale. That much is clear in the plot exposition woven into a conversation between Joel and Isabela Merced's season 2 newcomer Dina, who's an utter delight as Ellie's bestie and Joel's surrogate daughter substitute for Ellie.

Fans of Naughty Dog's games aside, I don't think anyone will be prepared for the breakdown in their relationship – hostilities that'll only grow when that huge showdown between Joel and Ellie occurs. In fact, I'd go as far as to say some viewers will be stunned by this development, especially as they spent little time apart in season 1. Like The Last of Us Part II, 'Future Days' keeps interactions between them to a minimum, which serves to make the brief scenes they share all the more heart-shattering.

Support structures

Merced's Dina is a perfect foil to Ramsey's Ellie in more ways than one (Image credit: Liane Hentscher/HBO)

There's more to one of the best Max shows' return than this season's tritagonists in Joel, Ellie, and Abby, though.

The return of characters from season 1, including Tommy (Gabriel Luna) and Maria (Rutina Wesley), plus the addition of new characters like Merced's Dina, Young Mazino's Jesse, plus Abby's strike team (read more about them in my season 2 cast guide) help to populate this universe with fascinating, complex characters whose relationships will be impacted by the actions of the aforementioned trio. That each new actor fits their character like a glove only makes them more likable and/or intriguing to watch, too.

That each new actor fits their character like a glove only makes them more likable and/or intriguing to watch, too

There's also a largely gratifying expansion of the narrative depicted in Part II. Most are minor narrative improvements that flesh out its story or refine the tale Naughty Dog originally told, but the odd one or two additions might frustrate long-time fans wanting a beat-for-beat re-tread of the game series' latest entry.

One change that won't irk fans is the addition of Gail (Catherine O'Hara), a psychotherapist whose complex relationship with Joel is already a season highlight of mine after season 2's opening episode. I reveled in seeing these powerhouse actors, whose emotion-wracked performances speak louder than words ever could, go toe-to-toe. I really hope we're treated to more similarly intense interactions between them over the course of this season.

O'Hara's Gail is one new addition to HBO's interpretation that builds on its video game counterpart (Image credit: Liane Hentscher/HBO)

The premiere's near-hour-long runtime allows for brief moments of levity to shine through the post-apocalyptic melodrama, too.

Much of that comes by way of Ellie and Dina's endearing puppy love-style dynamic. Ramsey and Merced clearly revel in egging each other on as their respective characters; their playful exchanges punctuating the sobering yet dangerous world they inhabit.

Even though I know what happens in Part II, I'm still keen to see how their relationship evolves.

Ramsey and Merced clearly revel in egging each other on as their respective characters

'Future Days' has already set up fascinating threads for this dynamic with the fallout from their romantically charged dance, Ellie's physical run-in with a new version of the Infected (aka the Stalker), and the ominous, double-headed nature of how this season's premiere ends all set to change the duo's perceptions of, and loyalty to, each other. That's before we even get to that absolutely soul-crushing moment from Part II (if you know, you know) that'll severely impact their friendship.

If there's one criticism I have of 'Future Days', it's that it's the epitome of a calm before the storm-style episode.

Okay, it's supposed to serve as a slow-paced reintroduction to this universe that moves the requisite chess board pieces into place for more heart-pounding, shocking, and revelatory events to come. Still, there are moments of thrilling action and/or location-based exploration in Part II's first few hours of gameplay that, while they can't be directly translated for television, could've been substituted for other suspense-filled storytelling beats.

My verdict

'Future Days' is a purposeful and methodically paced reintroduction to HBO's retelling of The Last of Us, and one I mostly enjoyed. As a catch-up episode, it didn't need to employ a gung-ho storytelling approach. I was also largely satisfied with its near-perfect authentic take on Naughty Dog's source material.

That said, compared to season 1's action-heavy and emotionally devastating opener, it felt somewhat underwhelming in its design. Part II's most heart-rending moment notwithstanding, more thrills and tragedy-laced incidents will be required in future episodes – in season 2 and The Last of Us' recently confirmed third season, both of which cover the story told in Part II – to recapture the infectious magic of its predecessor.

The Last of Us season 2 episode 1 is out now on Max (US and Australia) and Sky Atlantic (UK).

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The Hon Altern Task Chair is a minimalist, budget-friendly, modern ergonomic chair designed for home offices and office buildings. It's the basics, nothing flashy, and that's okay.

After testing out all the best office chairs, I didn't expect to like this model. I thought it would be too lightweight, flimsy, and not even comparable to some of the chairs I've reviewed. However, even though it is minimal, it still managed to impress me in a number of ways.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) Hon Altern Task Chair: Price and Availability

The Hon Altern Task Chair retails for around $300, depending on your chosen configuration. You can grab one of these chairs from Amazon, Hon's official website, or other office furniture stores like Staples and Wayfair. The company offers a lifetime warranty on the frame and a five-year warranty on mechanical parts. For a $300 chair, that's pretty impressive.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) Hon Altern Task Chair: Unboxing & first impressions

Thanks to this chair being super light, the assembly was overall quite simple. Following the directions, I could quickly assemble the pieces in about 12 minutes.

Once I assembled it all, I immediately noticed it looked pretty small compared to some of the more prominent office chairs I get. But that is why it feels so sleek, modern, and minimal- the elegant black color and mesh backing.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) Hon Altern Task Chair: Design & build quality Specs

Seat Cushion: 3.5” thick foam
Seat Height: 17.95” to 21.1”
Seat Depth: Adjustable, up to 21”
Back: Mesh, breathable
Weight Capacity: 275 lbs

The Altern has a simple mesh back and a sleek frame surrounding the chair. This combo is excellent for those who run a bit warm like I do, and it's for those who want actual comfort, not the feeling of leaning against a board like some chairs.

Though this chair is small, as I've noted, my team and I had no issues adjusting it to fit all of us. Features like the thigh depth help with leg comfort, especially if you are taller (or adjusting to a shorter thigh depth if you are shorter). Especially paired with a good-height backrest and adjustable armrests.

Moving on, the lumbar support can slide from time to time, though I haven't had a huge issue with this, and there is no tilt-lock to stick yourself in upright no matter how hard you press (okay, maybe you could push hard enough to break something and lean back).

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) Hon Altern Task Chair: In use

My team has had this chair in rotation for a while (156 days). Moving from room to room is simple and easy, even from my studio to a workspace. It's not overly complicated with dials and switches to adjust the chair like some that I test, and the cushion is comfortable for all-day work. My team member who usually works with this chair is 5'6" and probably around 190 lbs. It fits him perfectly, and he loves using the chair for long working sessions.

When I jump into this chair, I can still see his comfort level, which is great because usually, one size fits the chair better than others, but it's not bad for a nearly 8-inch difference in height.

A few things I don't love about this chair is that it can look dirty quickly with dust or even slight debris. If anything touches the black, I must immediately wipe it off, including crumbs, dust, shavings from a 3D Printer, fuzz, etc. Additionally, this chair has very simple armrests. This is super helpful for some. I go back and forth. On the one hand, I like that I can lean on these and not worry about them moving away from me (I may or may not have had issues with this in the past), but on the other hand, I do like being able to adjust my chair with 4D armrests to move anywhere I want them.

My team has loved using this chair, and it's held up without any issues. The armrests and pieces are still just as tight and work wonderfully. The chair has yet to creak or sound like it's groaning. I can see why Hon is willing to give such an extended warranty.

Hon Altern Task Chair: Final verdict

The Hon Altern Task Chair is an excellent crossroad between comfort, budget price, and minimalist style. If you're interested in a decent chair that's slim enough to fit where you want it, strong enough to hold you up, sufficient quality to last, and comfortable enough to use all day, the Hon Altern Task Chair is worth considering.

For more office essentials, we've reviewed the best standing desks for the home and office.

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Bluetti is one of the more well-known power station companies. They make phenomenal offerings like the AC500, AC200L, and the Handsfree 2 backpack. The Elite 200 V2 is another offering in this quality lineup, expanding the form factor of the AC200 and AC200L with better output, smarter technology inside, and a slightly more compact design.

I've reviewed plenty of the best portable power stations, and this one has explicitly found great use in my workshop area, ensuring that all of my gear is readily charged and good to go. This charges drill batteries, vacuums, toys for the kids, etc. It got me thinking about how great of a solution this power station would be for a job site or in a utility capacity for charging tools out of your truck or van or even making sure you can top off power tools at a construction site.

Alternatively, perhaps you’re not in that line of work; this would also be a good pick for a cabin, a shed, a camper van, or something similar, especially if it's paired with an all-season solar panel to keep you off the grid entirely.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) Bluetti Elite 200 V2: Price and Availability

The Elite 200 V2 is frequently discounted to under $1,000 from its regular MSRP of $1,999. That’s a pretty good deal, and if you’re even considering being in the market for a portable power station. You can buy these from Bluetti's website, Amazon, and a handful of other retailers.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) Bluetti Elite 200 V2: Unboxing & first impressions

The Elite 200 V2 comes in a simple box with only bare essentials. It has the power station itself, an AC Charging cable, solar cable attachments, a grounding screw, and a manual—nothing out of the ordinary there. The casing and handles help build into this power station's rigidity factor, which, paired with the overall heft, feels quite premium.

It doesn’t have as much casing as some of the more “all-season” units that Bluetti has (review coming soon on a more weather-resistant model), but it still feels like you can knock it around, and it will be fine. The two integrated handles on either side of the top of this unit make moving the power station something I can do on my own, though it’s not something that most would enjoy doing.

If there were one handle, this unit would be flat-out inaccessible to many, if not most, and that’s not to say I’m even some sort of professional lifter of heavy things. My wife and a few co-workers struggled immensely trying to lift this unit into position, even with the two handles. If this is you, the two handles are positioned so you can easily buddy-carry and share the load with a friend (or stranger).

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) Bluetti Elite 200 V2: Design & build quality Specs

Capacity: 2,073.6Wh
Output:
4x 120V AC (20A)
2x USB-A (15W)
2x USB-C (100W)
1x 12V/10A car outlet
Input:
AC (up to 1800W)
Solar (up to 1000W)
AC + Solar = 2400W max
DC car (12V or with Charger 1 accessory)
Dimensions: 13.8 × 9.8 × 12.7 in
Weight: 53.4 lbs

As I alluded to in an earlier statement, I am also testing the IP-rated variant of this power station. So, in comparison, this unit is much less rugged, but not in a bad way. I’d consider this a professional-looking power station, ready for the board room just as much as it’s prepared to live in the back of a work truck.

All the ports are on the front of the unit, other than the power inputs (AC and Solar) and the grounding wire, which are all on the right side. The output ports are all on the front, beautifully surrounding the display without encouraging covering the screen.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) Bluetti Elite 200 V2: In use

I briefly mentioned above that I've found this machine useful in a workshop area, simultaneously charging up some of my gear. I have also taken this outside (when it wasn't raining) to help keep drills recharged while working on building a giant playset in my backyard. I brought this to a job site where I was helping run conduit, power, and CAT-6 Ethernet in a workspace at a company I work with. When the power was cut, I used this power station to shop lights and keep drills recharged for the team, throwing up a half-wall and drywall.

During this testing, I was impressed with the output capacity of this hefty yet mighty power station. Sometimes, I wish it had more than four ports, but in all of my testing, ID 3. So, while more feels better, I don't usually find myself needing more on the go. And, if I did, I could throw a power strip on there pretty straightforwardly, like what I am doing with a work cart powered by my EcoFlow River 3. This power station only has one AC port with a ground and just a two-prong AC port. Still, I run a robust cart with a dozen outlets mounted all around for ease of use, a Thunderbolt Dock, a monitor, a charging station, and a charger for a few radios. So, if I can run all of that off of a smaller unit, with only one and a half AC ports, you can run plenty with four full three-prong AC ports.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

Another excellent use case for this power station would be for emergency backup. It could power a fridge (the time it could run would depend a lot on the type of fridge) for hours, a router, a server, phones, computers, medical equipment, security equipment, and so on.

Bluetti Elite 200 V2: Final verdict

The Bluetti Elite 200 V2 is a fantastic portable power station for most individuals. It is a tremendous all-around Swiss army-knife power station that is great at many things. It's hefty, doesn't have waterproofing, does not come with solar panels, doesn't have wheels, and some features are only accessible with the app.

Still, outside of those few minor inconveniences, not even problems, this power station is excellent. It's dependable, durable, robust, purposefully designed, and all less than $1000. If you're looking to get into portable power stations, need a solid one to add to your fleet, or anywhere in between, this power station is worth considering, especially if it's on one of its sales.

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