Summary of Our Last Season 2 Episode 5

In the latest episode of Our Last, titled Season 2 Episode 5, the show’s dark themes have noticeably evolved. This evolution centers on both the new Heart and body virus and the unending cycle of revenge and violence that drives the narrative.

**Spoilers for Our Last Season 2 Episode 5, now available on Max**

This episode culminates in a tense moment with Ellie (Bella Ramsey) pursuing Nora (Tati Gabriel) through a hospital controlled by the Washington Liberation Force (WLF). Nora is one of the five previous Fireflies responsible for capturing and killing Joel (Pedro Pascal) due to his violent actions in Salt Lake City, as seen in the first season finale. In desperation, she attempts to escape by climbing into a barricaded elevator shaft, which leads to the hospital’s B2 section. Unfortunately for her, that’s where the Heart and body virus lurks.

The virus has developed into a form that spreads through the air, meaning that those infected no longer need to bite others. Breathing in spores can quickly lead to infection and death. This frightening turn of events coincides with Ellie’s disturbing transformation; she has shifted from a girl who once amused herself with books to someone who resorts to torture in her quest for revenge against Joel’s killer, Abby (Katelyn Dever).

In this episode, the themes of the plague and Ellie’s ruthless evolution interweave, leaving viewers wondering about various plot points. Questions arise: Did Ellie actually kill Nora? What does that last scene with Joel signify in terms of happiness? And, crucially, what does this new threat imply for the future of the characters in Our Last?

End of Episode Speculation: Did Ellie kill Nora?

As Ellie infiltrates the WLF hospital in search of Nora, she confronts her at gunpoint, demanding information about Abby. Initially, Nora tries to reason with Ellie, sharing her own haunting memories of Joel’s death. But the situation escalates quickly when Nora dismissively states that “he got what he deserved,” provoking Ellie further. In the ensuing chaos, Nora attempts to escape by climbing the elevator shaft but finds herself trapped among the infection.

As Ellie corners Nora, their confrontation intensifies. Nora taunts Ellie about their fate while Ellie insists on her immunity. Realizing that Ellie is indeed immune, Nora acknowledges that Joel has destroyed humanity’s hope for a cure. Ellie, desperate for answers about Abby, lashes out violently, and after a brutal confrontation, the scene abruptly shifts to a bright memory of Joel awakening Ellie in Jackson, leaving viewers to question if Nora has survived. Indeed, while Ellie might not have directly killed her, Nora’s fate seems sealed.

In the video game adaptation, Ellie does kill Nora in a similar manner by brutally attacking her with a pipe. The HBO series retains the tension but shies away from showing Ellie in a fully savage light.

Continuing the Cordyceps Narrative

In this episode, the new iteration of the Cordyceps virus poses a significant threat by spreading through spores in the air. The cold opening establishes this heightened danger, as WLF leader Alanna Ubach learns from Elise Park (Hettienne Park) about a disturbing report from her son Leon regarding their patrol. They discover that the infection can now be transmitted simply by breathing.

This adaptation brings the storyline closer to its video game roots, where the original Cordyceps would release spores upon death, thereby worsening the cycle of infection. Neil Druckman, the creator of the game and co-showrunner of the series, earlier noted that the absence of spores from the HBO series was due to the practical challenges of using gas masks, making it difficult to maintain a natural flow in the visuals and storytelling.

Joel’s Presence in Our Last

So, is Joel really back? Well, not in the way fans might hope. The episode features flashbacks that suggest happier times for Ellie, with Joel greeting her as she wakes up in Jackson. However, while his presence brings a sense of security, it cannot change the reality of his death in the current timeline of the story.