Seattle’s grim reality deepens in the fifth installment of "The Last of Us" season two, a descent into vengeance and moral ambiguity. Ellie and Dina’s relentless pursuit of Abby, the orchestrator of Joel’s brutal demise, intensifies as they navigate a city consumed by a bloody conflict between the militaristic WLF and the fanatical Seraphites, also known as the Scars. This episode ratchets up the tension, culminating in a confrontation that exposes the raw depths of Ellie’s rage and the devastating consequences of choices made in the past.
The episode initially shifts its focus to the WLF, painting a complex picture of an organization wrestling with its own internal crises. We find ourselves within a hospital commandeered by the WLF, where soldiers stand guard, their expressions reflecting a weariness born of constant warfare. Hanrahan, a high-ranking officer introduced in the previous episode, engages in a somber conversation with Sgt. Park, the officer responsible for securing the hospital. Park, visibly burdened and defeated, recounts a harrowing incident that unfolded in the hospital’s basement, specifically level B2.
According to Park, a team led by her son, Leon, stumbled upon a dense and lethal growth of the cordyceps fungus, the very source of the infected plague, clinging to the walls. Within minutes, Leon reported the horrifying discovery that the disease had become airborne, necessitating the immediate sealing off of the affected area to prevent further contamination. In a heartbreaking display of sacrifice, Leon recognized the danger he posed and urged his mother to contain him and his team, effectively condemning them to a horrifying fate. Hanrahan commends Park for her decisive action, calling it "heroic and permanent," before offering a hollow condolence for the loss of her son. This scene, though brief, injects a layer of humanity into the WLF, complicating the narrative by showcasing their internal struggles and personal sacrifices, even as they remain the antagonists in Ellie’s quest.
The scene highlights the moral complexities inherent in this world, where survival often demands agonizing choices. The WLF, despite their ruthlessness, are not presented as purely evil, but rather as individuals trying to maintain order and protect their own in a world that has descended into chaos. This nuance adds depth to the conflict and challenges viewers to consider the perspectives of all involved.
Meanwhile, Ellie and Dina exploit the WLF’s surprisingly open communication channels. Using the stolen walkie-talkie, Dina skillfully intercepts WLF transmissions, gleaning valuable information about patrol routes and security checkpoints. The WLF’s brazenness, their apparent lack of concern about the Scars eavesdropping, reveals a dangerous level of confidence in their dominance. Dina uses the intel to plan a safer route to the hospital where Nora, a member of Abby’s group, is believed to be hiding.
As they navigate the treacherous urban landscape, Dina, recognizing Ellie’s unwavering focus on revenge, attempts to understand the roots of her companion’s darkness. Dina gently probes Ellie about the first person she ever killed, a seemingly simple question that unlocks a flood of traumatic memories. Dina reveals her own gut-wrenching origin story: as a young child, she witnessed the brutal murder of her mother and sister by a raider and was forced to kill him in retaliation. This shared experience of loss and the burning desire for vengeance deepens the bond between Ellie and Dina. Dina’s vulnerability helps to contextualize her fierce loyalty to Ellie, illustrating that their connection is forged in the crucible of shared trauma.
Dina’s plan involves traversing a large, abandoned building seemingly overlooked by the WLF. Despite knowing that the building is infested with infected, they decide to proceed without firearms to avoid attracting the attention of WLF patrols. However, their stealthy approach quickly unravels as they encounter a pack of exceptionally intelligent and aggressive infected. Ellie remembers her terrifying encounter with one of these "stalkers" back in Jackson and immediately understands the gravity of their situation.
The "no guns" rule is immediately abandoned as Ellie desperately tries to draw the infected away from Dina, who is particularly vulnerable. The situation quickly escalates as the infected prove to be faster and stronger than anticipated, pushing Ellie and Dina to the brink of collapse. Just as they are about to be overwhelmed, Jesse appears out of nowhere, unleashing a barrage of gunfire that scatters the infected and provides the girls with an opportunity to escape. Jesse reveals that he and Tommy followed Ellie and Dina from Jackson, using Dina’s map to track their movements.
The trio seek refuge in a park, only to discover that they have stumbled into Scar territory. The WLF refuse to pursue them into the park, a clear indication that the area is under the control of their adversaries. The ominous whistling of the Scars fills the air, signaling an imminent threat. They witness the brutal execution of a captured WLF soldier, who is interrogated and disemboweled by the Scars despite his pleas for mercy. As they watch in horror, Dina is struck in the leg by an arrow fired from the shadows. Jesse quickly carries her to safety, while Ellie, separated from her friends, is forced to fend for herself once more.
Despite the chaos and the loss of her companions, Ellie spots the hospital in the distance, her determination unwavering. Ignoring the dangers that lie ahead, she decides to venture forward alone. The narrative jumps ahead, and we see Ellie confronting Nora within the hospital. Nora, shocked by Ellie’s sudden appearance, initially attempts to downplay Joel’s death. But with growing animosity, she spits out "the bitch got what he deserved", revealing her true feelings. She throws chemicals at Ellie and tries to escape.
Ellie relentlessly pursues Nora through the hospital, dodging WLF gunfire and navigating the labyrinthine corridors. Nora, attempting to evade capture, enters an elevator shaft. Ellie follows, and they end up on B2, the contaminated basement level. Here, the true horror of the cordyceps outbreak is revealed as Ellie sees deadly flora all around, and specks of spores floating in the air. Leon, the soldier who first discovered the outbreak, is still alive, and confirms that the air is toxic.
Ellie finds Nora in a hallway. Laughing, Nora proclaims that they are both doomed. She cruelly taunts Ellie, saying that they are both infected, before she is stopped by Ellie. Nora then recognizes that Ellie is the immune girl they heard rumors about, the girl who could have potentially saved everyone at the hospital Joel attacked. In that instant, she reveals the truth about Joel’s actions, that he massacred everyone in the hospital, including Abby’s father, the only person who could have developed a cure.
"I know," Ellie coldly replies, a shocking revelation that shatters the audience’s understanding of her motivations. Up until this point, the viewers were led to believe that Ellie was unaware of Joel’s actions, and that his deception had cast a shadow over their relationship. Ellie knew and is somehow okay with it. She then demands to know Abby’s location, and when Nora refuses to cooperate, Ellie grabs a pipe and unleashes a brutal attack, committing an act of violence that is both shocking and disturbing.
In the final scene, Ellie awakens in her bed in Jackson, with Joel sitting beside her. This abrupt transition suggests that the horrifying events that unfolded in the hospital were a manifestation of Ellie’s inner turmoil, a glimpse into the darkness that has consumed her.
While the episode’s repetitive structure may feel somewhat formulaic, it ultimately serves as a vehicle for Ellie’s transformation. The confrontation with Nora, the revelation of Joel’s actions, and the subsequent act of violence mark a turning point in Ellie’s journey. The episode exposes the moral compromises she is willing to make in her pursuit of vengeance and leaves the audience questioning the true cost of her obsession. Though Ellie confronts one of Joel’s killers it leaves the audience with much anticipation as the killer she seeks is yet to be found.
