Is The Last Of Us Season 2 Finale a Disappointment or a Bold New Direction?

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The second part of HBO’s The Last of Us series has concluded, signifying the apparent midpoint of its adaptation of Part 2’s narrative. Compared to season one, it’s been a more complicated journey, filled with exciting moments, some disappointing ones, and a surprising cliffhanger ending that may shock those not familiar with this storyline.

There will be some story spoilers in this review.

Following the intense emotional episodes 6 and the brutal, spore-filled encounter in episode 5, the season finale unfolds as a result of Ellie’s relentless pursuit for vengeance. With Dina wounded, Ellie and Jessie venture out to reunite with Tommy before returning to Jackson.

In this latest gaming session, Ellie’s pregnancy-fueled journey seems to be pushing me towards moments where I wonder if I’m backing the right character. This episode subtly highlights how Ellie’s selfish pursuit has potentially put others in harm’s way, making me question her actions and whether she deserves my unwavering support.

Unfortunately, this installment of the series encounters a range of writing difficulties. For instance, the sequence where characters embark on an aimless journey to Scar Island seems sluggish in its development. Moreover, certain dialogue exchanges, such as “So you are good and I am bad?” suggest a simplistic approach that doesn’t align with our expectations. It appears this season has been subtly hinting at a new perspective on the character Ellie, but this episode has made it more evident that the show is exploring an unconventional interpretation of her.

In the game, Ellie’s actions throughout the season have raised questions, stemming from her mistakes, quirks, or both intentional and unintentional gameplay elements. This character development, however, seems to be taking a distinct path that isn’t resonating with us as it should. We find ourselves constantly questioning Ellie’s actions in the game, but never disliking her – at least not until now. The current version of the character appears to be obscuring the story’s intended message and giving the impression that the show is hesitant, particularly when it comes to violence – an unusual trait for HBO.

Everything builds up to a string of suspenseful moments, some taken directly from the game, which leave us eagerly anticipating their continuation in this rendition of the narrative. Particularly noteworthy is Abby’s tale, which appears central to the third season of the show. Given Neil Druckmann’s hints about a three-season storyline for The Last of Us Part 2 adaptation, we now have ample room to unfold the rest of the story.

It seems as though the show has revealed its cards prematurely, leaving us wondering about the impact of later surprises and emotional scenes. Since Abby’s motives were made clear right from the start, and the significant Joel and Ellie porch scene has already taken place, it leaves us questioning how the remaining plot twists will resonate. We anticipate that future developments might explore themes similar to Bill and Frank’s storyline from season one.

Currently, it’s challenging to predict the final impact of Ellie and Abby’s storylines as a whole. Despite this uncertainty, we find ourselves in a position similar to when the first season ended. The adaptation is engaging, offering both enjoyable and thought-provoking post-apocalyptic content. However, it seems that certain structural adjustments have been made for the medium, and departures from the original source material seem to diminish its impact or intensity.

Many people who don’t play games are likely to find the story engaging, and gamers as well. We only wish that they would take a look at the game so they can discover the unique experiences they might be overlooking.

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2025-05-26 14:37