As "The Last of US" (2022 release; 9 episodes) opens, it is "1968" and a guest on a TV talk show discusses pending doom and gloom from a fungus-related pandemic that is sure to come. We then go to "September 26, 2003, Austin, TX" and we are introduced to Joel and his teenage daughter Sarah. It's not long before stranger things start to happen... At this point we are 10 minutes into Episode 1.

Couple of comments: this TV mini-series adaptation of the PlayStation video game of the same name is the brainchild of. Craig Mazin, whose previous work includes the excellent TV mini-series "Chernobyl". Let me state upfront that I was completely unfamiliar with the video game, let alone playing it. I came to Episode 1 (which runs 80 min.) completely open-minded about was about to unfold. The series is super plot-heavy, so the less said about that, the better. I will say this that I found Episode 1 riveting and at times very intense (reminding me of the opening scenes of "World War Z"). I was quite impressed with the production set, and it feels like a major Hollywood production, even though it was filmed entirely in Canada.

"The Last of Us" premiered on HBO and HBO Max a few days ago. New episodes will be released on Sunday evenings. If you are in the mood for a top notch zombie-ish action-drama, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion. I for one cannot wait to check out the remaining episodes!

*UPDATE* Just saw the second episode. It just confirms all the good I saw before, and I'm looking forward to seeing the next episodes.