This article contains spoilers for The Last of Us Season 2. Please don’t read unless you’ve seen episodes 1-4.
Ellie (Bella Ramsey) often feels like the standout character, not just because of her immunity but also due to her youthful defiance. Yet, sometimes the insights from her surroundings, like Dina (Isabella Merced) asking, “What’s wrong with Seattle?” really hit home. It’s evident their mission won’t be an easy one. At the end of last week’s episode, these two, along with their horse, were preparing to confront Abby (Katelyn Dever) and her faction, the Washington Liberation Front (WLF), in Seattle. By Episode 4, they stumble into a heated clash between the WLF and the Seraphite cult, leading to some intense moments, like a horde of infected in a tight railway tunnel. Thankfully, there was a slight pause to enjoy a music cover.
Enter Isaac
The story jumps back to 2018 in the Seattle Quarantine Zone. It begins with Ellie and Dina caught in a tense situation involving Fedra soldiers responding to local unrest. Isaac Dixon (Jeffrey Wright), the sergeant in charge, decides to confront unarmed locals alone, indicating a shift in loyalty, especially when a tense moment escalates with a shot fired, claiming lives.
Fast forward 11 years, and Ellie and Dina are now navigating Capitol Hill, trying to make sense of their environment, with vibrant but faded rainbow flags around them. Spotting WLF graffiti makes Ellie want to act impulsively, but Dina advises a more cautious approach. While searching, they find an undamaged acoustic guitar, and Ellie starts strumming a tune, stirring emotions for Dina as Ellie reflects on Joel’s influence, blending survival lessons with a newfound love for music.
Kitchen Confidentiality
Switching back to Isaac, we find him in a dim setting where he’s interrogating a captured member of the Seraphite cult. This scene paints him as a pragmatic figure rather than a ruthless one, as he deals with a delicate situation amidst ongoing conflicts between the two factions.
Night Moves
Under the cover of night, Ellie and Dina break into a television station, only to find evidence of gruesome battles. As they track a blood trail, they come face to face with the horror of the situation. Tension rises as WLF soldiers close in, leading to a frantic escape through a tunnel staked out by infected creatures, marking some serious action that highlights Ellie’s craftiness learned from past encounters.
No More Secrets
After narrowly escaping, Ellie opens up to Dina about her immunity, a revelation that brings skepticism. In a moment of vulnerability, Ellie discloses her shocking news: she’s pregnant. This revelation shifts the mood significantly, leading to a passionate moment between the two.
The next morning, while sharing a breakfast of beef jerky, Ellie shows Dina the scar from a previous bite, hinting at the complexities of their current situation. Dina introduces the topic of multiple positive pregnancy tests, revealing the connection to her former partner, Jesse. Their earlier mission of revenge feels distant, but a WLF radio call redirects their focus, setting the stage for renewed conflict.
Notes and Observations
- Interestingly, the soldier in the opening flashback is played by Josh Peck, known for his role in the iconic show Drake & Josh and recently seen in Oppenheimer.
- The realism of the hacked bodies hanging from the ceiling is enhanced by using real stunt performers rather than dummies, a testament to the show’s commitment to authenticity.
- A shoutout to Ryan Masson, the young actor portraying the tortured prisoner, whose performance lent a chilling atmosphere to the scene.
What did you think of the episode? What are your expectations for the remainder of Season 2? Was it really necessary to leave a horse behind at that record store? Please share your thoughts without revealing game spoilers…
