This article contains spoilers for The Last of Us Season 2. Do not read unless you’ve seen episodes 1-5.
Ellie, at 19 and quite impulsive, isn’t naive. She’s aware, for instance, that her immunity to corneal infections—which have ravaged humanity for over two decades—won’t protect her from being shot, drowned, or otherwise killed. Even if she hasn’t excelled in her studies, elimination of “school orientation” is how the diplomatic Dina sees it.
So it should come as no surprise that Ellie uncovers the secrets we’ve all held onto since the season one finale. Five years ago, Joel (Pedro Pascal) didn’t merely abandon her to die despite having the chance to create a cure; he eliminated 18 soldiers along with a doctor (Abby’s father) to save her. Crucially, he deceived Ellie about it.
When confronted by the tortured Nora (Tati Gabriel), who seeks to share her suffering, Ellie responds, “I know.” When did Ellie piece everything together? Why is she still fixated on seeking revenge for Joel’s murder at Abby’s hands (Katelyn Dever)? These pose significant questions as the season unfolds, but first, let’s revisit how we ended up in that unsettling, spore-infested basement of Seattle Hospital.
“It’s in the air…”
Previously, the infections followed traditional zombie lore—get bitten and transform into a terrifying mushroom creature. However, the opening scene reveals an evolution of the threat. In a tense exchange, the battle-worn leader Elise (Hettienne Park) discusses the infection’s capability of being airborne. This revelation leads Elise to block off a contaminated underground level, leaving her son and scouting team to face dire consequences. It’s no wonder she smokes like a fiend.
Behind the enemy’s line
Unbeknownst to them, Ellie and Dina have the hospital on their radar as Nora’s last known location. Given that Nora previously restrained Ellie as Joel was killed by Abby, she’s likely high on Ellie’s hit list. Through radio chatter, Dina figures out a supposed safe route to the hospital while avoiding WLF patrols, but she suspects the enemy is careless about their military movements, lacking adequate security.
As Ellie and Dina traverse Seattle’s deserted streets, they stumble upon a makeshift shrine adorned with a graffiti message, “Love Touched.” Dina reveals her own dark backstory—how she killed her first person at eight after her mother and sister were murdered by raiders. This serves to illustrate her commitment to supporting Ellie in this quest for vengeance. “I’ll come back if I need to, I’ll continue if I need to,” she says, focusing on their shared objective.
Jesse to the rescue
During a nighttime infiltration of an abandoned building, Ellie and Dina find a group of stalkers. A tense situation arises as they remember the importance of stealth and the mantra of “fire as a last resort.” Just when it seems they might be overwhelmed, Jesse (Young Mazino) appears with a shotgun, quickly neutralizing the threat, but they soon find themselves pursued by WLF forces.
They take refuge in a park that the WLF seems hesitant to enter due to its ties to Ceraphite territory. While Ellie and Dina begin to grasp how the cult operates, Jesse faces a crash course in their rituals. As the situation escalates, Dina injures her foot, prompting Ellie to separate and agree to meet again in the theater.
Go underground
Having eliminated the immediate threat, Ellie now sees the hospital within reach, though she must navigate around a guard dog. The scene shifts to Nora, caught amidst what sounds like a WLF battle with Ceraphite. When Nora goes to retrieve supplies, Ellie confronts her at gunpoint, demanding information about Abby.
At first, Nora seems desperate and pleading, but she soon resorts to a ploy, tossing a medical solvent at Ellie before making a run for it. The only escape route leads to an elevator shaft descending into spaces thick with infection. In the harsh red light, Nora struggles to breathe while Ellie, seemingly immune to the spores, looms over her.
Nora attempts to divulge the reasons behind Joel’s violent past and Abby’s motives for killing him, but this merely strengthens Ellie’s resolve. As she drops her weapon to grab a pipe, it becomes clear that things are turning grim. Yet amidst the chaos, flashes of Joel appear—brief moments of solace that pierce through the darkness.
Notes and observations
Is something intangible in the air capable of causing such death? The dive into the hospital’s lower levels seems to echo various themes. The concluding series, coming from showrunner Craig Mazin, raises intriguing parallels.
Disappointingly, while hoping for a glimpse of Ellie’s beautiful acoustic singing, the brief moment she touches the guitar feels almost rushed, with her quickly abandoning the instrument for revenge.
Jesse’s shotgun momentarily feels heroic, yet the initial glimpses of him in silhouette lead one to momentarily believe Joel might have returned to save Ellie yet again.
In what seems like the final moments of Nora, actress Tati Gabriel is busy; she’s set to star as a lead in the upcoming PlayStation 5 game from Naughty Dog. Perhaps she shares notes with Pedro Pascal on playing dynamic roles within such narratives?
What are your thoughts? Has Ellie gone too far? What does it feel like to see Joel again, even briefly? Please share your impressions while refraining from game spoilers.
