The finale of The Last of Us Season 2 delivered an intense culmination of the ongoing revenge cycle that has defined the narrative thus far. The show has spiraled from Joel’s (Pedro Pascal) brutal decision to eliminate the Fireflies in Salt Lake City, through Abby’s (Kaitlyn Dever) revenge on him, and now to Ellie (Bella Ramsey) embarking on a path of vengeance against Abby.
In a dramatic episode that unfolded over Day 3 of Dina’s (Isabela Merced) and Ellie’s stay in Seattle, Ellie confronted a series of harrowing choices. After torturing Nora (Tati Gabrielle) for Abby’s location, she and Jesse (Young Mazino) set out to reach a rendezvous with Tommy (Gabriel Luna) but were diverted by a report of snipers targeting the Wolves, leading them away from safety. As Ellie connected the words “whale” and “wheel” to Seattle’s aquarium, she made the fateful decision to confront Abby there.
However, her confrontation was with Abby’s friends Owen (Spencer Lord) and Mel (Ariela Barer). In a tragic turn, Ellie shot Owen fatally, and though Mel begged for help in saving her unborn child, Ellie was helpless. This moment marked significant emotional turmoil for Ellie, who was clearly devastated by the consequences of her actions, prompting Tommy and Jesse to rush her back to safety just as Abby re-emerged, leading to a suspenseful cliffhanger.
The episode ended with a chilling shot fired by Abby aimed at Ellie, leaving viewers in suspense about Ellie’s fate as the series prepares for its next season. Series co-creator Craig Mazin hinted at a more traditional cliffhanger approach that indicates a pivoting narrative involving Abby’s perspective in the future, similar to the video game’s storytelling but framed to cultivate empathy from the audience towards her character.
This shift in perspective seeks to deepen the understanding of not only Abby’s motivations but also the complex emotional landscape shared by all characters involved. Persistence of viewer emotions may contrast sharply with reactions to the video game, where Abby faced significant backlash. Despite this, reactions to earlier events in the series, particularly Joel’s death, have been more favorable, suggesting a more nuanced audience engagement with the television adaptation.
Looking ahead, Mazin suggested that completing the Last of Us narrative in three seasons might be unfeasible and hinted at the possibility of continuing the story into a fourth season. Fans are left with a hopeful anticipation for what lies ahead in this richly woven tale, as the show continues to explore the themes of love, revenge, and the cyclical nature of violence, leaving the door wide open for deeper character development and narrative expansion.