There are few feelings that compare to the shock of Cordyceps spreading to brain – the fungus set on turning you to a mindless zombie – but waiting for another episode of “The Last of Us season 2” to drop late on a Sunday night produces a similar rush of adrenaline.

This could be used to describe two life-altering events: Being bitten by an infected and feeling the Cordyceps spread through your body as you slowly turn into an empty shell of a human, or opening Max on the TV on a Sunday night and seeing a new episode of “The Last of Us season 2” dropped.

The greatly anticipated second season started releasing episodes on April 13, and every Sunday since has felt like a reward for getting through the week.

As an extraordinarily huge fan of “The Last of Us” games and a lover of the first season of the show, the second season was a must-watch, though my excitement was quickly dismantled as I saw inappropriate amounts of hate directed at the coming season.

Although only four episodes of the new season are out, there is much to be said about the unique set design, plot changes and new character choices that will change the trajectory of the story as told in the TV series.

The casting of the show is a controversial topic, but shouldn’t be, as all the actors have done phenomenally and will continue to tell the beloved story beautifully.

Bella Ramsey, the actor who played Ellie Williams in the first season has returned for the second, and she takes the character to a whole new level, showcasing the depth and complex emotions the character endures during the arising hardships in the new season.

Every scene they’re in is captivating, and Ramsey truly embodies the character, while still adding more layers to Ellie’s personality. Game-lovers will, no doubt, feel the beloved character radiates from Ramsey, even just within the first few episodes.

Similarly, Isabela Merced, the actress playing Dina, adds more to the character that couldn’t be seen in the game through new funny scenes with Ellie and heartfelt conversations with Joel, all while maintaining new traits for the character.

The cinematography itself should be enough to sway anyone’s opinion on the second season. When part two of the game was originally released, it was widely known for its breathtaking graphics and the realism it contained. Though it seemed hard to top, the show does an incredible job at replicating many of the sets from the game while still incorporating new scenery and landscaping into each episode.

For example, the set for Tommy and Maria’s small civilization in Jackson, Wyoming is almost identical to the game and the scenery is breathtaking in the pan over the town between scenes shifts.

Though these first four episodes have started the season off strong, mass amounts of controversy still surround the show, and many fans are displeased with the plot’s departure from the original game.

The slander is misplaced and unnecessary, seeing as the show is a creative re-telling of the original story, not an exact replica.

Since some of the original creators from the game – including Neil Druckman and Gustavo Santaolalla – are also working on the Max original, it seems misplaced to place the game on a pedestal and hate on the TV retelling, especially since it was made by a lot of the same people.

If someone wants to watch the original story, they can simply re-play the game, because the show’s unique way of twisting certain plot points is something to be marveled and celebrated, rather than be put down.

The show is not the game, and it will never be the game, and that’s why it’s perfect.