Last Of Us S2 Finale: One Scene REALLY Ruined It For Me

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Okay, so it’s been a little bit of time. Can I talk about The Last of Us Season 2 finale yet?

Reflecting back, it seems as though only a day has passed since we were bracing ourselves for the emotional turmoil of The Last of Us Season 2. We endured a two-year wait before its release, and upon its arrival, it felt like reuniting with an old acquaintance – that is, until this friend proceeded to tear our hearts out and trample the fragments into oblivion as a result of all the events unfolding.

From Joel’s shocking demise in episode two to delving deeper into Ellie and Dina’s romantic journey, as well as all the other events this season, there was simply so much happening that it’s challenging to follow along. Although I don’t entirely approve of every alteration the series has undergone, I remain a devoted fan, eagerly anticipating The Last of Us Season 3.

To be honest, there was something about the ending that didn’t quite sit right with me – it might surprise you. So, let’s delve deeper.

The Fact That The Season Ended With Abby Doesn’t Bother Me

There’s been plenty of chatter online about the ending of Season 2, specifically the mystery surrounding Abby and the WLF base, with many fans expressing that they wished it had concluded differently. Instead, some believe it should have ended on a more surprising note, such as Ellie potentially being shot.

I actually could not care less about that, and I’ll tell you why.

After having played the games multiple times, including both parts and all DLCs, I must admit there’s a part of me that relishes self-inflicted pain – and I’m okay with the series concluding at that point. In the game, it was certainly an abrupt ending, but I believe it effectively left fans in suspense. Granted, we received several more games soon after, and didn’t have to wait a year for Season 3. Nevertheless, I appreciate the strategy of leaving things open-ended.

There’s a question on fans’ minds who haven’t played the games yet, and it’s the same one players asked in 2020 when Part 2 was released: “Will we be delving into Abby’s story for those three days? Are we controlling her character instead?

In Season 3, we won’t portray Abby directly, but her role seems to expand significantly within the narrative. Fans might want to brace themselves for a more prominent presence of this character.

To be candid, concluding with Ellie’s cliffhanger might have been an enjoyable twist, but honestly, it would have felt quite ordinary. It’s a type of cliffhanger that I believe has been used countless times before in numerous TV series. However, this unique approach adds a touch of mystery for those unfamiliar with the games, and I appreciate the creativity behind this decision.

However, one thing I dislike is how they portrayed Ellie and Dina in the beginning.

But I Hate That They Made Ellie Talk With Dina After She Killed Nora

One aspect I appreciated about Season 2 was the way they structured Ellie’s storyline across the episodes. Although I felt there could have been even more depth, the pause between Episodes 5 and 7, which provided a wealth of information on Joel and Ellie’s backstory, allowed us to better acclimate to the turmoil that unfolds in the final episodes.

However, what irks and troubles me most about the series’ progression in Season 2 is Ellie’s return with Dina. Up until now, I’ve been quite understanding of the show’s adaptations. Despite the apparent deviations from Season 1, I can accept it because, after all, it’s still the same heart-wrenching narrative that we’ve grown accustomed to.

As a movie enthusiast, I must admit that Ellie’s conversation with Dina in this cinematic experience feels somewhat out of character for me. In the games, if you haven’t had a chance to explore them yet, Ellie has indeed shown a violent side towards Nora, even going as far as killing her. Yet, in the narrative I’m witnessing now, Ellie doesn’t seem to hold back on words when she returns to the theater. This unexpected dialogue leaves me pondering about the creative choices made in adapting this story from the games to the screen.

Instead, she settles down opposite Dina, and without uttering a word, her girlfriend begins to undress Ellie to assess her injuries and bruises. Her touch is tender and compassionate, a stark contrast to Ellie’s recent actions. As Dina attends to her, only Ellie’s face is visible, expressing silent sorrow for her actions, a faint numbness transforming into the grim acknowledgment of the atrocities she has just perpetrated, yet aware that she cannot reverse the damage done.

And will only continue to do more.

Everything that wasn’t spoken aloud carried a depth of emotion far greater than what we saw on the screen version of “The Last of Us.” While Bella Ramsey and Isabela Merced’s performances were exceptional, I can’t help but feel that the script they worked with was at times awkwardly written and at worst, unfaithful to the original source material.

Expressing that Ellie’s comment about killing Nora seems less nuanced for the characters in the game, and it appears as if she shows no remorse whatsoever, is somewhat stark. I’m not aiming to make her more relatable, but there was a certain something in the games that greatly intensified this scene, a quality that didn’t necessitate dialogue.

It Also Worries Me That Ellie Essentially Told Dina What Joel Did In The Hospital

Another point I’d like to discuss, being a fan of these games, is that Ellie never shares with anyone what Joel did in the hospital, including Dina – as far as we can tell from the games. Yet, in that particular instance, she discloses everything to Dina for the first time.

This situation might prompt them to leave, yet it also leaves me pondering its implications for the future. If Ellie reveals more details about the incident, could it possibly tarnish Joel’s recollection of Jackson? Might Ellie face consequences? I can’t say for certain.

I can’t help but feel a pang of disappointment that conversation seemed to tarnish this moment – a turn of events I truly regret.

I Wish They Kept More Of The Subtlety From The Games

Despite the passage of time, “The Last of Us” continues to be an engaging TV show that stirs conversations worldwide and maintains its popularity. However, I find that Season 2 somewhat diminished the nuanced elements that were present in the original games, which I wish had been preserved more.

As a passionate film enthusiast, I’m expressing my perspective: It’s not essential for Season 3 to mirror the games down to every detail, and it seems unlikely to follow that path. What I appreciate is when not everything is explicitly stated or dramatized. Instead, there are moments of subtlety that deepen characters, like Joel’s porch scene in Episode 6, which beautifully enriched his character for me.

However, in instances similar to these where words could potentially damage the story’s development, I firmly believe it’s time to stop. Actions often speak louder than words, and in this case, a second review was essential for this script.

Although it’s clear that we won’t get to watch The Last of Us Season 3 anytime soon, I can always enjoy watching the first two seasons again. Or perhaps it’s a good moment to delve back into the games. Now where did I put my PlayStation controller?

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2025-06-08 18:09