Smart Infected in The Last of Us Season 2 Explained

Nivedita Dubey
April 20, 2025

Summary:

The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 1 introduces a new ‘smart’ Infected called the Stalker.
This variant behaves differently, showing tactical behavior and ambush tactics.
The Stalker originates from The Last of Us Part II video game.

**What Is the Smart Infected in The Last of Us Season 2?**

The first episode of The Last of Us Season 2—titled Future Days—introduces viewers to a new and more evolved form of the Infected. As Ellie and Dina investigate a ruined supermarket near Jackson, Wyoming, Ellie encounters a variant of the Cordyceps-infected human unlike any previously seen on the show.

This new zombie-like threat is called a Stalker. Unlike the Runners, Clickers, or Bloaters, the Stalker moves differently, hides, and waits for the right moment to attack. It displays calculated behavior, crawling on all fours, taking cover, and using ambush tactics instead of immediately charging its target.

In the scene, Ellie is trapped alone beneath the collapsed floor of a store. After briefly spotting the creature, she is confused when it chooses to crouch and hide rather than attack. When she pursues it, it disappears—only to reappear from behind and strike once she passes. This element of surprise highlights a terrifying new form of intelligence in the Infected’s behavior.

Why Does the Smart Infected Target Ellie in Season 2?

Bella Ramsey as Ellie in The Last of Us Season 2

The Stalker’s behavior toward Ellie isn’t about targeting her specifically—it’s about tactical hunting. The Infected in The Last of Us are usually driven by the fungus’s instinct to spread. However, the Stalker’s approach marks a notable evolution in the virus’s behavior, which Ellie herself later remarks on during a debrief with the Jackson town council.

During the discussion, Ellie tries to articulate what made this encounter different. She clarifies that the Stalker didn’t just react—it stalked. It took cover, planned its movement, and ambushed her. This reflects the “hunting” behavior that gives the Stalker its name in the original video game.

The reason for the attack aligns with the show’s portrayal of the Cordyceps virus’s adaptability. As the fungal infection spreads across decades, some variants evolve traits that make them harder to kill and more efficient at eliminating prey. The Stalker’s calculated behavior is simply a survival tactic built into its mutation.

**Where Do Stalkers Come From in The Last of Us Games?**

In the source material, Stalkers are a well-established enemy type introduced in The Last of Us Part II. They are first encountered during a mission in Seattle, where both Ellie and Abby face off against them.

Stalkers are the mid-stage between Runners and Clickers. While not completely blind like Clickers, they still show some fungal growth, particularly the telltale Cordyceps stalks protruding from the head. Their main threat lies in their stealth and unpredictability—they often retreat into walls, shadows, or vents to surprise the player.

In terms of game mechanics, Stalkers are difficult to detect and even harder to ambush, creating an atmosphere of constant tension. Their role in the gameplay is to disrupt player patterns, forcing new strategies.

The HBO series captures this behavior with unsettling accuracy. In Episode 1 of Season 2, the Stalker not only mimics the crouching and hiding tactics seen in the game but also executes its ambush in a tight, confined space—just like the most intense Stalker encounters from the PlayStation title.

What Does the Stalker Reveal About the Cordyceps Virus Evolution?

Pedro Pascal as Joel in The Last of Us Season 2

Though the show doesn’t offer a formal scientific explanation for the Stalker’s intelligence, its emergence hints at ongoing mutation in the Cordyceps virus. The Last of Us Season 2 reintroduces fungal spores, which were notably absent from Season 1. Spores in the game canon allow airborne infection and appear in late-stage Infected environments—possibly signaling longer survival and further adaptation.

The Stalker, with its predatory cunning, may represent one such advanced mutation. Rather than mindlessly spreading infection, it has learned to conserve energy, set traps, and optimize its kill. This suggests a terrifying possibility: that the Cordyceps organism is evolving toward more predator-like behavior.

While the show hasn’t confirmed the Stalker’s exact biology, its inclusion adds complexity to the Infected ecosystem. It’s no longer just about escalating brute strength (as seen with Bloaters); intelligence is now a weapon too.

Is the Stalker a One-Time Threat in the Series?

Given the game’s structure and how frequently Stalkers appear in The Last of Us Part II, it’s unlikely this is the last time viewers will see them. In the game, Stalkers appear in almost every region Ellie visits, sometimes individually and sometimes in groups. Their ability to operate in stealth makes them suitable for scenes of high suspense.

It’s reasonable to assume the showrunners are introducing Stalkers early in Season 2 to establish them as a recurring threat. Their behavior not only raises the stakes for characters like Ellie and Dina, but also provides visual and narrative tension that mirrors the second game’s darker tone.

As the infection evolves and becomes more tactical, so too must the survivors. The Stalker forces characters to abandon predictable combat strategies and stay constantly alert.