The Last of Us Season 2 Finale: A Jaw-Dropping Twist
The highly anticipated Season 2 finale of "The Last of Us" has finally arrived, and it’s safe to say that the episode has left viewers on the edge of their seats. The show, which airs on HBO and streams on Max, has been a fan favourite since its premiere, and the latest episode is no exception.
According to Variety, the final scenes of Season 2 are as intense as the show has ever been. The episode’s climax features Ellie, played by Bella Ramsey, attempting to pilot a tiny dinghy across Seattle harbour in a driving thunderstorm to get to the pier-side aquarium where she believes Abby, played by Kaitlyn Dever, is located. However, things take a dark turn when Ellie is saved from the Seraphites, a violent religious sect, by the Washington Liberation Front (WLF).
In an interview with Variety, Ramsey discussed the challenges of filming the intense final scene, where Ellie faces off against Abby. "It was going from the immediate grief of seeing Jesse get shot to then being in submission mode and pleading for my own life whilst it being Abby — it’s so specific," she said. "If it was anybody else, the scene would be easy, but because it’s her, there’s just so much going on in Ellie’s head in that moment."
The episode’s twist, which mirrors the 2020 video game "The Last of Us Part II", sees the story shift focus to Abby, with the screen cutting to black after a dramatic confrontation between Ellie and Abby. The scene then cuts to Abby asleep on a couch, with the words "Seattle: Day One" appearing on the screen.
Creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, who co-wrote the episode with Halley Gross, have revealed that they didn’t know yet how much – or how little – they expect Ellie, Dina, Tommy, and Jesse to appear in Season 3. In a press conference, Mazin said, "Even if I thought I knew now exactly how it was going to go, I’m experienced enough to know that two weeks from now we may have a different idea of how it should go." Druckmann added, "Whether you will see them on screen or not, their presence will be there throughout."
Ramsey, in an interview with Variety, was more definitive, saying that she "most likely" expects to have a smaller role in Season 3. "I haven’t seen any scripts, but yes, I do expect that," she said. "I think that I’m going to be there, but not a whole bunch. We’ve had conversations about that. I sort of have a rough idea of what it’s going to be, but I can’t tell you."
The Variety report also revealed that Mazin and Druckmann entertained several options for how to incorporate Abby’s story into the show, including intercutting her narrative with Ellie’s, or alternating episodes between them. However, they ultimately decided to stick to the structure of the game, which Mazin acknowledged was a considerable risk for a hit show that had already killed off one of its stars in Episode 2.
In terms of what to expect from Season 3, Mazin said that the show would answer unresolved questions about the origins of the WLF and the Seraphites, and what drove them to war. "Those questions are correct and will be answered," he said. "How did that war start? Why? How did the Seraphites start? Who is [their] prophet? What happened to her? What does Isaac want? What’s happening at the end of Episode 7? What is this explosion? All of it will become clear."
The Variety interview with Ramsey also touched on the challenges of filming the scene where Ellie is strung up and almost disembowelled by the Scars. "The Scars are the most terrifying part of the season, I think," she said. "The actual feeling of the rope like 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."
Overall, the Season 2 finale of "The Last of Us" has set the stage for a thrilling Season 3, with many questions left unanswered. As Variety reported, fans can expect more intense action and drama in the next season, as well as a deeper exploration of the show’s complex characters and world.
The show’s creators have confirmed that they have a clear plan for the next season, and fans can expect more answers to the questions raised in the Season 2 finale. With its intense action sequences, complex characters, and emotional storylines, "The Last of Us" is sure to continue to captivate audiences in Season 3.
As reported by Variety, the show’s focus on character development and world-building has been a key part of its success, and fans can expect more of the same in Season 3. With its talented cast, including Ramsey and Dever, and its experienced creative team, "The Last of Us" is sure to continue to be a hit with audiences.
In conclusion, the Season 2 finale of "The Last of Us" has set the stage for a thrilling Season 3, with many questions left unanswered. Fans can expect more intense action and drama in the next season, as well as a deeper exploration of the show’s complex characters and world. With its talented cast and experienced creative team, "The Last of Us" is sure to continue to captivate audiences in Season 3.
