By Over the weekend, National Geographic published a feature piece going into the scientific accuracy of various major films and TV series – looking at some that got it right and some that got it wrong.
One of the more interesting parts is a quote from Kent State University epidemiologist Tara Smith in regards to HBO’s “The Last of Us,” last year’s awards-nominated and popular TV series adaptation of the highly acclaimed and award-winning 2013 video game.
Both the games and the show deal with the impact of a global pandemic involving the Cordyceps fungus – turning people into monstrosities very different from the usual ‘zombie’ design and fare.
One thing unique to the HBO version, though, is the very first episode’s opening sequence – a 1960s talk show in which John Hannah plays an epidemiologist outlining how said fungus could evolve and potentially cross over into humans due to the impact of climate change.
Smith has praised this opening, which can be watched over on YouTube, saying not only is it “pretty scientifically rigorous” but adds that she “used that in my infectious disease epidemiology class last year to talk about climate change and emerging disease.”
When it comes to the Coryceps zombies, however, she says that is “where the biology stops”. “The Last of Us” second season is expected to begin production early this year ahead of a 2025 airing.
The post “The Last of Us” Opening Praised By Expert appeared first on Dark Horizons.
