The Season 2 finale of “The Last of Us” has left fans reeling with its intense and shocking final scenes. The episode delves deep into the emotional turmoil of Ellie as she seeks revenge for the death of her father, Joel. As Ellie navigates the treacherous waters of Seattle harbor in a desperate attempt to find Abby, the tension reaches a boiling point.
After a series of harrowing encounters with the Scars and the WLF, Ellie finally comes face to face with Abby’s friends, Owen and Mel. In a tragic turn of events, Ellie is forced to confront the consequences of her actions as she inadvertently causes Mel’s death, leaving her with a haunting realization of the brutality of her quest for vengeance.
As Ellie is reunited with her allies Tommy and Jesse, tragedy strikes once again when Jesse is mercilessly killed in a sudden ambush. The tension escalates as Abby emerges, leading to a climactic showdown between Ellie and Abby that ends in a heart-stopping cliffhanger.
The episode takes a surprising turn as the focus shifts to Abby’s perspective, revealing a new layer of complexity to the narrative. The decision to explore Abby’s backstory adds depth to the character and raises questions about the nature of revenge and redemption.
In a recent press conference, the creators of the show hinted at the direction of Season 3, promising to delve into the origins of the WLF and the Seraphites. The revelation that Ellie, Dina, Tommy, and Jesse may have reduced roles in the upcoming season has sparked speculation among fans about the future of the series.
Overall, the Season 2 finale of “The Last of Us” has left audiences on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating the next chapter in this gripping and emotionally charged saga. With its intricate storytelling and compelling characters, the show continues to push the boundaries of storytelling in the post-apocalyptic genre.
The Origins of the War and the Seraphites
The war that plays a central role in “The Last of Us” series started due to a combination of factors, including the outbreak of a deadly pandemic that decimated the population and led to the collapse of society. As resources became scarce and survivors fought for survival, factions emerged, each with its own beliefs and goals. One of these factions, the Seraphites, also known as Scars, arose as a religious group with a prophet at its helm.
The Seraphites’ prophet, whose identity remains shrouded in mystery, played a crucial role in shaping the group’s beliefs and guiding its members. However, what happened to the prophet and how their absence impacted the Seraphites remains a topic of speculation and intrigue.
Isaac’s Ambitions and the Explosive Ending
Isaac, a key figure in the conflict between the Seraphites and other factions, has his own ambitions and desires that drive his actions. His goals and motivations, which may include power, control, or survival, influence the direction of the war and the fate of those involved.
As Episode 7 unfolds, tensions between the factions reach a boiling point, leading to a climactic explosion that rocks the foundation of the conflict. The aftermath of this explosion sets the stage for further developments and reveals the true extent of the war’s impact on the characters and the world they inhabit.
Potential Flashbacks and Surprising Twists
With the possibility of Joel making a return in Season 3 through flashbacks, fans can expect to delve deeper into his past and uncover untold stories from the years between the pandemic outbreak and the events of the series. The creators of the show, Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin, have proven their willingness to explore new narratives and surprise audiences with unexpected twists and turns.
As the story continues to unfold and the characters face new challenges and revelations, viewers can look forward to a thrilling and emotionally resonant journey through the post-apocalyptic world of “The Last of Us.”
There was definitely more of a darkening of the insides of myself beforehand.
Ellie spends so much time getting battered by the elements on that boat. Was that fun to do? I imagine you’re in some sort of water tank with fans blowing water in your face.
Yes, it was right at the end of shooting, so I was absolutely exhausted, on my last little tether. But it was so fun. I love water and water scenes, and I just got to be in a heated water tank all day in the studio. I really had the best time. I also kind of know how to do boats and stuff like that, so that was exciting for me to be in the water and steering the dinghy.
The scene at the start of the episode, when Dina takes Ellie’s shirt off to tend to her wounds and Ellie confesses to Dina about what Joel did, is so sweet and vulnerable. What was that like to shoot?
It was really beautiful. There was a real feeling on set during that scene of just tenderness. It was done so respectfully. It felt like a brief and rare pause and breath in it all. It’s not very often in “The Last of Us,” especially this season, that two people are sitting down together in a scene and having an emotional, tender moment that isn’t traumatizing.
Isabela Merced told my colleague Kate Aurthur that during the subway sequence in Episode 4, you guys created a secret sign language with each other. How did that work?
We realized there were a lot of times that we’d be trying to sort of say to each other, like, “Do you need the toilet right now? Because I do, but do we have time?” And Isabela specifically was in skinny jeans and sometimes would be a bit uncomfortable, and she’d be like, “Can you cover me while I, like, fix myself?” Stuff like that. So Isabela came up with it. She was like, “We should just create a sign for that, so we don’t have to do this awkward thing of trying to say it when there’s people around.” I don’t really remember them now, unfortunately, but that was nice, non-verbal communication.
Did it ever involve action sequences that were really intense and you needed some support? That was part of what Isabela appeared to be talking about.
Well, it was all quite light-hearted. We did have one for “I really don’t want to do this right now.” But it was done in a way of, like, we both know that we have to do it. I think that might have been like a weird head shake and a tongue out or something. It was just a comfort to know that there was someone in it with you.
What was it like to shoot the scene where Ellie is strung up and almost disemboweled by the Scars? Of all the scary things in that episode, it was the scariest to me!
The Scars are the most terrifying part of the season, I think. The actual feeling of the rope around my neck — obviously, I’m on a harness and it’s not actually happening, but it’s tight. So it’s not hard to act. I’m fully safe, but it’s very easy to trick my mind into thinking that it’s not. All of the scary parts are the most fun to film.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
