Ellie finally got a little bit of revenge this week, and we’re all sitting here wondering how we’re supposed to feel about it. Not as cathartic as we thought it would be, huh? HBO’s version of The Last of Us has finally returned after taking a break from all the revenge drama, or at least keeping it out of sight and out of mind. It’s been interesting to see how new viewers have been reacting to the show, all eager for Ellie to dish out some payback. But unlike the game, the show’s first glimpse of Ellie’s revenge journey kicks off with something just as dark as Joel’s death a few episodes back. It’s a pretty complicated scene to unpack, but we’ve got plenty of TV to get through before we get there.
This episode kicks off in a Washington Liberation Front base where Hanrahan, the same person Isaac met in a flashback last week, is walking through the base with a bunch of soldiers eyeing her nervously. Whatever she’s there to do must be pretty important because the tension is thick. She meets with Sergeant Park, a woman who seems pretty chill despite the soldiers being on edge. Park mentions how loyal her soldiers are, but Hanrahan reveals that Park has killed several W.L.F. soldiers. So, despite Park’s confidence due to Isaac’s absence, her fate is still up in the air.
Park explains that she was in charge of securing a hospital and when her squad went to the basement, they started showing signs of infection, even though the floors above were fine. Turns out, the infection is in the air down there. Hanrahan praises Park’s actions as heroic and she’s left to grieve her fallen comrades, including her son.
The showrunner made a big deal about changing how the infection spreads, opting for a different approach to avoid covering Pedro Pascal’s face with a gas mask all the time. Now, the show is bringing back the airborne virus element, which only the W.L.F. seems to know about for now.
Back at the theater, Dina is still on radio duty while Ellie gets the power running. Dina figures out the location of their targets while Ellie explores the theater. She stumbles upon a musical setup and starts playing a guitar, diving into a brief moment of peace amidst all the chaos.
Dina maps out a path to the hospital where Nora is stationed, but they have to go through a building avoided by the W.L.F. because it’s likely infested with infected. The girls head out, discussing baby names and stumbling upon massacred Seraphites.
Dina shares a story of her first kill, highlighting her drive for revenge. The relationship dynamic between Dina and Ellie shifts as they navigate through dangerous territory.
As they encounter a pack of stalkers, Ellie lures them away while Dina seeks shelter. Jesse arrives just in time to help them escape, revealing that he and Tommy left Jackson to find the girls.
The trio narrowly escapes a wolf squad and stumbles upon a group of Seraphites executing a W.L.F. prisoner. Dina gets injured, prompting Jesse to carry her back to safety. Ellie decides to confront Nora at the hospital, leading to a tense interrogation scene.
The episode ends with a flashback of Ellie waking up in Joel’s house, setting the stage for more drama to come.
Overall, the episode delves deeper into Ellie’s quest for revenge, adding layers to her character and the challenges she faces along the way. As the tension mounts and alliances are tested, the show continues to explore the darker aspects of the post-apocalyptic world. Get ready for more twists and turns in the episodes to come.
