'The Last of Us' Season 2, episode 1: What does the Cordyceps in the pipe mean?

There's so much constant danger in The Last of Us universe, but at least Ellie (Bella Ramsay) and Joel (Pedro Pascal) are safe now in the walled town of Jackson, right?

Wrong! Not only is a vengeful Abby (Kaitlyn Dever) closing in and new types of Infected are springing up on the outside, but there also may already be a threat much closer to home.

What's the deal with the Cordyceps we see in the pipe at the end of episode 1, and what might it mean for Jackson?

What's the deal with the pipe in episode 1?

Joel's main job in Jackson appears to be overseeing its construction and expansion. But things aren't moving quick enough, and there are other problems hampering progress. As he's informed by Dina (Isabela Merced) in episode 1, there's an issue with the plumbing.

"The main lines are clay, all cracked to shit and full of roots; we're not sure what we're supposed to do," she says.

Joel's solution? "Saw out the cracked parts, pull the roots, and we'll fill in the gaps with some ABS."

He makes it sound simple enough, but one of the final shots of episode 1 makes it clear that the job will be anything but. Because it's not just run-of-the-mill roots in the sewer pipes, but also the tell-tale creeping fingers of the Cordyceps fungus.

Is Jackson in danger from the Cordyceps in the pipe?

The short answer is yes. Although people touching the Cordyceps roots wouldn't become infected — that happens via bite — we learned in Season 1 that the fungus is all mysteriously connected. Basically, those tendrils in the open pipe are transmitting information.

This means that for however long those mainlines are left open, nearby Infected are likely getting a signal broadcast out to them that there's a tasty supply of fresh humans just over the next mountain.

Oh dear.

The Last of Us Season 2 premieres April 13 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and Max.

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