10 Hidden Secrets Fans Missed in The Last of Us Season 2’s Time Jump

by

After an intense climax in the first season finale, The Last of Us makes a daring leap forward by five years as it begins its second season. This mirrors the video games, which also had a five-year time jump between The Last of Us Part I and The Last of Us Part II. However, viewers of those games might not have anticipated another time leap in the series, this one occurring during the prologue of Part II, specifically in the episode titled “The Path.

Rather than presenting an instant, fiery reaction to the event, the show opts for a three-month leap forward in the storyline. This intriguing decision enables characters to engage in discussions about the past events from a more rational perspective instead of acting solely on instinct. Although three months may not seem like a significant amount of time, much can transpire during this time gap.

They May Not Have Been Buried Immediately, However

One significant contrast between the original series and its sequel lies in the depiction of the Battle of Jackson, where swarms of Infected attacked the settlement. Although Jackson managed to survive, it came at a great cost. Unlike Part II, which primarily revolves around Joel’s death at Abby’s hands, the show escalates the tension and the number of casualties.

In that time period, Joel and other residents of Jackson were interred at a distance from Jackson. Although this might appear self-explanatory, given David and his band of cannibals, it’s still significant to clarify. It’s intriguing that David employs the winter as an excuse to a young girl for not burying her father immediately at this moment. However, David was deceiving the child, as his reasoning was valid. The soil becomes harder during winter, making it unlikely that Joel and the others were buried promptly.

Jackson Hasn’t Taken In Enough Refugees In Those Three Months

In the debut of Season 2 titled “Future Days,” it is evident that she’s welcoming too many individuals into her life. Although Joel understands their reasons for being welcomed, there simply isn’t sufficient accommodation for them all to reside in. Regrettably, new houses aren’t being constructed quickly enough either.

Although it might seem somewhat ironic that Joel’s home stands vacant and undisturbed, it’s important to recall that it also belongs to Ellie. Moreover, given the number of other homes presumably vacated due to Jackson’s significant losses, Joel’s house isn’t an exception in terms of becoming a refuge for those displaced. The fact that Joel’s home remains undisturbed suggests that Jackson hasn’t yet reached a critical point where such a difficult decision about housing becomes necessary.

Stricken By Injury And Trauma

Given the circumstances, it wouldn’t be surprising if Ellie decided to gather her belongings and leave immediately the following day, just as we saw in Part II. However, with the inclusion of a three-month time leap, there must have been something that prevented Ellie from leaving Jackson right away.

For three months, Jackson’s medical center became Ellie’s sanctuary, a place where she sought healing after the grueling ordeals she endured during “Through the Valley.” The tragic demise of Joel, coupled with the emotional turmoil that followed, made her recovery a challenging journey. Despite having companions like Dina and Gail visiting, Ellie secretly defied doctors’ orders by engaging in rigorous exercise routines.

Her fixation on the past events was unwavering, explaining why she swiftly began planning her pursuit of Abby as soon as she was discharged from the medical center.

Its Citizens Have Had Time To Grieve

One improvement the series has made over the games is making Jackson seem more vibrant and inhabited. In the games, it often felt like only a small group of individuals populated the area. The series, however, broadens the community somewhat and also allows for characters to rebuild and mourn together.

Over a span of three months, Jackson starts to regain strength. During this period, individuals are given time to cope with the recent events, which is depicted in a town hall meeting where it’s decided whether the community should send 16 people to search for Abby. Opinions ranged from “we can’t spare resources at the moment” to “let’s try to show mercy.” Remarkably, Seth, who had made homophobic remarks towards Ellie and Dina, which were some of Ellie’s last memories with Joel, was among the townsfolk. However, in the end, the council voted 8-3 against sending a search party for Abby. Nevertheless, this decision won’t deter Ellie and Dina from continuing their pursuit.

Jesse Becomes Another Powerful Ally To Ellie

Since Part II is a game, it doesn’t devote much time to portraying extended periods of tranquility in Jesse’s life in Jackson. Consequently, the game delves only superficially into Jesse’s existence. However, the show enriches Jesse’s character by highlighting his impressive leadership skills and positioning him as a potential future leader of the community as a whole.

As a film enthusiast, I can’t help but feel a sense of excitement as I share the news: Jesse has taken a significant stride forward by being appointed to the council. The specifics of how he managed to secure this position are not disclosed, although it could be that he’s temporarily filling in due to a vacancy caused by the departure of a fellow council member. A special election is planned for a later date to elect a permanent replacement. Nonetheless, Jesse’s star is on the rise!

In anticipation of a town hall meeting, I advised Ellie to jot down a speech instead of letting her emotions get the best of her and potentially lashing out in anger. It appears that my friend Jesse returned the favor by casting one of his three votes in support of her request.

The On Again, Off Again Relationship Continues

During their three-month journey, while camping one evening, Dina shared with Ellie that she had reconnected with Jesse. At first, it seemed as though this was the beginnings of a new romance. However, Jesse later told Ellie that he didn’t hold any ill feelings towards the kiss they shared.

Given the time leap, it’s plausible that the two reunited, albeit briefly. Overlooking the happenings in Part II, the ordeals portrayed in “Through the Valley” were harrowing, with both being deeply immersed in Joel’s storyline. With Ellie hospitalized, Dina and Jesse found solace in each other. This arrangement enables a gradual development of Dina and Ellie’s relationship rather than the rapid build-up seen in Part II, potentially leading to a more impactful resolution for them.

Everyone Needs A Therapist In Jackson, Now

Gail, a fresh character introduced in the series, has been a standout so far. Being one of the few skilled therapists left globally, Gail is accustomed to a hectic schedule. In such demanding situations, she cleverly negotiates her payment with alcohol and marijuana.

Following the heart-wrenching ordeal depicted in “Through the Valley,” it seems as though the residents of Jackson are left reeling with emotional turmoil. The horrors they’ve witnessed and loved ones lost have created a deep sense of trauma, leaving them in dire need of solace and support. Amidst this chaos, my dear friend Gail appears to be struggling herself – leaning on alcohol and marijuana for temporary relief while simultaneously shouldering an immense workload.

However, even in her state, Gail has not lost her courage or her voice. She continues to offer guidance freely, such as warning Tommy about Ellie’s suspicious behavior, suggesting that she may be beyond redemption due to the dark path she seems determined to tread upon.

Protecting Ellie And Tommy From Doing Something Stupid

It would be difficult for Ellie to locate Abby if she doesn’t know where she comes from or her name. Luckily, Dina is attentive and has a great memory thanks to Eugene. Following Ellie’s emotional search of Joel’s home, Dina arrives with a gesture of peace for keeping the information confidential.

Dina recalled some members of Abby’s group, among them Abby herself, and even identified their origins. Dina chose not to tell Ellie and Tommy about this, worrying they might rashly confront Abby (as in the game). Given that Ellie was still hurt, this seemed prudent. This secret knowledge would allow them to predict Abby’s location instead of blindly guessing, making a pursuit more strategic. During this time leap, Dina probably started devising her strategy, which she later discussed with Ellie following the council vote’s failure.

Abby And Her Group Will Have Time To Process As Well

After finishing their task in Wyoming, it’s no surprise that Abby and her team returned to Seattle, ready to reunite with the WLF. It’ll be intriguing to watch how Abby’s group deals with their experiences in Wyoming later on. It was evident that several members felt uneasy as Abby subjected Joel to torture.

In “The Path,” Abby was nowhere to be found, and only Manny appeared. He was stationed at a watchtower on top of the Space Needle, surveying Seattle as Ellie and Dina arrived. The hat that Manny wore during this scene has sparked discussion. Typically, wearing a ballcap wouldn’t be significant, but since the show hasn’t featured Jordan in his ballcap, there’s speculation that Manny may take on a more significant role to cover for Jordan. It’s an intriguing detail to observe.

Viewers See Some Seraphites Trying To Escape The War

In the series, it has been daring to incorporate aspects from later instalments prematurely. For instance, Abby’s mid-series motivation is now featured in one of the season’s opening scenes, and in “The Path,” we encounter the Seraphites. During Ellie and Dina’s initial investigation of Seattle, the Seraphites were subtly hinted at. The city is adorned with murals depicting their prophet, and their brutal killings of WLF members demonstrate the significant danger they pose.

In the series, the Seraphites are portrayed with a softer image, featuring a father-daughter duo among them. These Seraphites are merely fleeing from a conflict that may have worsened in recent times due to an incident causing this particular group to embark on their journey. Regrettably for them, they fall victim to an ambush by the WLF and meet their end. Ellie and Dina stumble upon the gruesome scene just as they were about to enter Seattle.

Read More

2025-05-02 02:00