6 Shocking Flaws in ‘The Last of Us’ Season 2 That Fans Can’t Ignore!

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Fans’ reactions have been intense following the airing of the season finale for the much-awaited second season of HBO’s “The Last of Us,” a series beloved by both viewers and gamers alike, especially due to Pedro Pascal’s heartfelt portrayal as Joel. The chemistry between him and Bella Ramsey, who plays Ellie, was particularly captivating in their unconventional father-daughter bond. The narrative was also highly engaging, tugging at the heartstrings of both gamers and non-gamers, immersing them deeply into the show’s storyline.

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Regrettably, the second series of the apocalyptic television show hasn’t met the lofty expectations established by its initial run. The storyline unfolds five years after the events of the first season, with Joel and now 19-year-old Ellie residing in an infection-free town called Jackson, Wyoming. Initially, there’s tension between Joel and Ellie, with no clear reason given for her anger towards Joel. However, it becomes evident later that she harbored doubts about what transpired five years earlier in Salt Lake City, although this isn’t explicitly confirmed until later in the season. The turning point of the second season occurs in episode two, when Joel is viciously attacked and seemingly killed before Ellie’s eyes. From then on, the narrative loses its footing.

The second season lacked enough outstanding scenes like the porch moment, failing to match the narrative excellence of the first season. Apart from the absence of Joel after episode 2, certain character development and plot writing seemed inferior compared to the initial installment. However, it’s essential to note that the acting by the entire cast remained top-notch throughout. The issues with the second season are primarily related to the storytelling and creative choices made by the showrunners and writers, not the performances themselves.

Let’s delve into six aspects of The Last of Us season 2 that feel somewhat discordant compared to its initial season.

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5
Ellie & Dina Consistently Needing To Be Rescued

After spending three months in the hospital, Ellie moves back home with Joel, and she and her companion Dina (Isabela Merced) contemplate journeying to Seattle with the intention of tracking down Abby (Kaitlyn Dever) and her group to exact retribution against Joel. The relationship between these two women is portrayed as if Dina is the thinker and Ellie is the action-taker. However, this portrayal leans heavily on the assumption that Ellie lacks intelligence and couldn’t possibly devise a plan without Dina’s help.

As a die-hard cinephile, I can’t help but notice a pattern in the latest season that leaves me scratching my head. Time and again, both Ellie and Dina find themselves in peril, only to be rescued by either Jesse (Young Mazino) or Tommy (Gabriel Luna). If Ellie is meant to be tough and Dina smart, why do they seem to require constant saving? It’s almost as if the writers are downplaying Ellie’s competence, which seems at odds with her portrayal in the first season when she was just 14.

Bella Ramsey has undeniably delivered a stellar performance, but it feels like she wasn’t given much to work with. The issue isn’t merely that Ellie and Dina are repeatedly saved when faced with danger; it’s that they are invariably saved by men. This narrative choice seems to imply that the showrunners don’t trust two women to complete this journey, reducing them to damsels in distress.

However, we know from the video game version of Ellie that she can be ruthless and become a formidable force. It’s a shame that this aspect hasn’t been fully explored in the show yet.

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4
The Mischaracterization of Ellie

The portrayal of Ellie’s character in season two appears unchanged from her depiction in season one, which may give the impression that she lacks survival skills or is incompetent. This seems to be a choice by the writers, as there doesn’t appear to be any noticeable character development between 14-year-old Ellie and 19-year-old Ellie. Bella Ramsey’s youthful appearance might contribute to this perception, but it’s not just that. Her personality and thought processes remain the same as they were in the first season. She continues to make jokes during serious moments and be excessively sarcastic with everyone, which is not necessarily a problem, but it seems inconsistent with the gravity of her current situation, given that she witnessed her father figure being brutally murdered and the girl she cares about is pregnant. This raises the question of whether Ellie should still behave in this manner, especially during such a difficult period in her life.

As a seasoned movie reviewer reflecting on the latest installment featuring the resilient Ellie, I must say that her lackluster display of survival skills left me somewhat perplexed. Given her background – five years under Joel’s tutelage in the resourceful community of Jackson and a grueling cross-country journey through post-apocalyptic America at a tender age – one would expect a more seasoned and emotionally mature Ellie. Her brief training sessions with Jesse, hinting at combat skills, further fueled my anticipation. However, this season, she seems to have regressed into an immature little girl, failing to grasp the gravity of her current predicament. This unfortunate portrayal undermines the depth and complexity that Ellie’s character has come to embody over previous seasons.

3
Ellie’s Inconsistent Rage

In my perspective, one of Ellie’s main issues this season stems from her unpredictable outbursts of anger. During the second game, my character, Ellie, was driven solely by an insatiable rage to avenge Abby for killing Joel. This blind fury turned me into a relentless killer, causing me to lose touch with who I truly was. Interestingly, in the show, even without knowledge of the events from the game, Ellie follows a similar path towards being consumed by revenge. She witnessed the brutal murder of the man she regarded as her father, Joel, with no explanation. Joel was the one constant presence in my life, my family. Yet, surprisingly, throughout the season, I didn’t spend every moment enraged at the world for taking Joel away from me.

At times, her anger surfaced, yet it fluctuated during each episode. The trip from Jackson to Seattle made it seem as if Ellie had lost sight of the reason she and Dina embarked on their journey initially. This uncertainty persisted once they reached Seattle and began searching for the Washington Liberation Front (WLF) in search of Abby. It appeared more like a duty Ellie was assigned, rather than a mission driven by revenge. Dina, however, seemed more determined to seek retribution against Abby, especially when she recounted her acts of vengeance against those who had murdered her family. It wasn’t until after that conversation with Dina that it truly dawned on Ellie why they were out there in the first place. Prior to that discussion with Dina, much of her time was spent joking around and traversing the city without a defined objective.

In the moment Ellie gains entry to the WLF headquarters, we gradually witness the resurgence of the fury she showed upon Joel’s murder. This is particularly evident when she encounters Nora (Tati Gabrielle) in the hospital and pins her down within a quarantined infected zone. Ellie discloses that she is well-aware of Joel’s actions regarding Abby’s father, which transpired in SLC. She unleashes a ferocious assault on Nora using a metal rod, eventually leaving her isolated as she succumbs to the poisonous spores in the atmosphere. In this instance, Ellie demonstrates the violent rage she is capable of, but when she faces other WLF members subsequently, she finds herself torn between pursuing them and refraining from doing so.

In the deserted Seattle aquarium, Spencer Lord’s character, Owen, is confronted by Ellie, who unexpectedly fires a gun at him in self-defense. The bullet unintentionally strikes Ariela Barer’s character, Mel, in the neck. This tragic incident deeply affects Ellie, and her emotions are further intensified when Mel, who is pregnant, pleads with Ellie to perform a cesarean section on her. Given the gravity of the situation, it’s not surprising that Ellie feels emotional after taking two lives. However, it would have been more in character for her feelings of guilt to arise later, following the completion of her vengeful mission. Prior to this incident, she was already questioning her actions regarding Owen.

2
Little to No Backstory on the WLFs vs. Seraphites

A conflict between the WLF and the religious group called the Seraphites, also known as the Scars, arose following Joel’s demise. This primitive sect disregards pre-outbreak technology and venerates a woman they call a prophetess. They earned their nickname due to the facial scarring, which signifies their faith in this prophet who considers the cordyceps infection as divine retribution for humanity’s transgressions. The WLF seized power over Seattle after eliminating FEDRA within its boundaries.

From the onset of the season, I found myself acquainted with two intriguing factions: the WOLF and the Seraphim. Beyond the initial familiarity, we’re left to unravel the looming conflict between them, and more importantly, understand why their struggle should pique our interest. My connection to the WOLF deepens when Abby joins their ranks following her father’s untimely demise, but that’s the extent of our shared history with them.

It quickly becomes evident that this isn’t a classic battle between good and evil; instead, we see two violent groups, each convinced they stand on the side of righteousness. The WOLF captors subject Scars to brutal treatment, while the Seraphim retaliate by slaughtering and hanging their enemies.

This season takes us on an emotional journey that challenges our preconceived notions about good and evil, leaving us questioning whose side we truly want to be on.

As a movie reviewer, I found myself deeply immersed in the bleak narrative of the show, where the notion that humanity has lost its way is echoed through the endless loop of violence. Yet, despite this compelling theme, I must confess that I yearned for a deeper connection with both factions, as my involvement in their complexities remained somewhat limited.

The enigma that surrounds the events that led to this brutal conflict between the groups piqued my curiosity, and I couldn’t help but wonder: What sparked this never-ending war? The tantalizing hints dropped throughout the series left me yearning for more information, particularly in the second season.

Additionally, I found myself questioning the strange infatuation of WLF leader Isaac (played brilliantly by Jeffery Wright) towards Abby. As we await the revelations that Season 3 promises to bring, it would have been advantageous for the audience to uncover at least some of these mysteries during the second season, fostering a stronger emotional connection with the characters and their backstories.

1
The Order of Events

In the original structure of Season 2, the sequence of events has played a significant role in shaping the audience’s emotional response. The strategic placement of flashbacks, the time leap between seasons, and the timing of crucial moments have contributed to some of the issues highlighted in this critique. Particularly, revealing Abby’s motivation for pursuing Joel in the initial episode diluted the impact of his death. Although it still evoked a strong emotional reaction, many viewers anticipated his demise due to this revelation. If her motives were disclosed after she killed Joel, it would have been more shocking and distressing. Additionally, the three-month timeframe between Joel’s passing and Ellie’s journey made his death appear less significant to the people of Jackson.

The episode that delved into the five-year gap between seasons was not only outstanding for this particular season, but it ranks among the finest episodes in the entire series. It skillfully portrayed the depth of Ellie and Joel’s bond while depicting the gradual erosion of their relationship. Unfortunately, this episode seemed to disrupt the climax of Ellie’s mission in Seattle. Perhaps its placement could have been more effective after episode two, and the final scene on the porch might have had a greater emotional resonance if it were shown at the end of the season.

As a dedicated movie enthusiast, let me share my thoughts on the latest season finale: It left me scratching my head, feeling quite vexed, to say the least. While some series love to end seasons with jaw-dropping cliffhangers, like The Last of Us, the wait for season 3 is going to be a grueling two years, which is just downright aggravating.

The whole purpose of this season was for Ellie to confront Abby, and just as that moment was about to unfold, the screen went black, and gunshots echoed in the silence. It wasn’t a poor television outing by any means, but it didn’t quite measure up to the captivating first season.

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2025-06-01 00:07