The Last of Us: Episode 4 – A Deep Dive into Love, War, and the Unspeakable
Episode four of The Last of Us season two marks a significant turning point, injecting fresh momentum into the narrative after a somewhat subdued previous installment. This episode masterfully interweaves character development, backstory revelations, and high-stakes action, leaving viewers captivated and eager for what comes next. The episode throws us headfirst into the brutal realities of Seattle’s war-torn landscape, while simultaneously exploring the blossoming relationship between Ellie and Dina with unflinching honesty.
The episode boldly opens with a flashback, transporting us to the "2018 – Seattle Quarantine Zone." This is a masterstroke. The show excels at these narrative diversions, providing crucial context and enriching the present-day storyline. Inside a FEDRA transport, a group of soldiers engages in casual banter, punctuated by a crude anecdote delivered by Josh Peck (a surprising, but effective, casting choice). However, the levity is immediately undercut by the presence of a silent figure in the back, their face obscured by a visor, visibly unmoved by the soldiers’ callous humor.
This initial scene serves as a potent microcosm of FEDRA’s oppressive regime. A new recruit questions the use of the term "voters" for citizens, prompting Sergeant Isaac, portrayed with chilling authority by Jeffrey Wright, to reveal the chilling truth: "voter" is a cynical mockery of the citizens’ lack of rights, stripped away by FEDRA. This revelation hints at a moral conflict brewing within Isaac, laying the groundwork for his eventual defection.
The tension escalates as the transport encounters a blockade. Instead of engaging in a firefight, Isaac opts to negotiate with the "voters," inviting the new recruit to witness a "lesson." What unfolds next is a shocking betrayal. Isaac, alongside Alanna Ubach’s character, Hanrahan, locks the soldiers inside the transport and unleashes gas grenades, effectively executing them. He then shoots the driver and presents the new recruit, played by Ben Ahlers, with a grim choice: join the cause or face the same fate. This sequence is a brutal and efficient origin story for Isaac, the future leader of the WLF, showcasing his transformation from a FEDRA soldier to a leader fighting for a different kind of control. This cold open immediately grabs attention and sets a dark, complex tone for the entire episode.
The narrative then leaps eleven years into the future, immersing us in the present-day Seattle storyline. The on-screen text, "Seattle, Day One," is a vital reminder of the episode’s temporal setting. Ellie and Dina are scavenging in the Capitol Hill area, navigating the remnants of a society lost to the apocalypse. The juxtaposition of the numerous rainbow flags and "Pride" symbols with the characters’ ignorance of LGBTQ+ history is cleverly poignant, highlighting the devastating loss of knowledge and cultural context in this dystopian world.
As they explore the desolate streets, littered with the bodies of both FEDRA soldiers and a deactivated tank, Ellie and Dina identify a WLF building. Recognizing the dangers of a direct confrontation, they opt to bide their time until nightfall, seeking refuge in a music store – a fitting location for a city celebrated for its musical heritage.
This interlude provides a welcome respite from the surrounding violence. Ellie discovers a relatively intact guitar and plays a heartfelt rendition of A-ha’s "Take On Me." This acoustic performance, taught to her by Joel, triggers a deeply emotional response from Dina, illustrating the power of music and shared memories to transcend even the most harrowing circumstances. This scene is a direct nod to the game and allows us to see the bond between Ellie and Dina deepening, it’s a reminder that even in the darkest of times, beauty and connection can still exist.
The episode then cuts to a tense scene where Isaac is interrogating a captured Seraphite (Scar). The conversation quickly escalates, exposing the brutal cycle of violence that defines the war between the WLF and the Scars. Both sides commit atrocities, blurring the lines between good and evil. The Scar argues that the WLF will ultimately lose the war because no Scar ever defects to the WLF, contrasting with the WLF’s occasional defections to the Seraphites. This hits Isaac hard, a former defector himself. This scene paints a picture of the futility of war. In the end, Isaac kills the captured Seraphite, receiving a silent nod of approval from his loyal guard, the same young soldier he recruited years ago.
Knowing action is imminent, Ellie and Dina sneak into the WLF building under the cover of darkness, the audience knows chaos is on the horizon. They stumble upon a gruesome scene – WLF soldiers hanging from the ceiling, their intestines exposed, victims of a brutal Scar attack. Before they can fully process the horror, one of the surviving WLF soldiers calls for backup.
Backup arrives swiftly, and despite Isaac’s orders to capture Scars alive, the arriving soldiers are driven by vengeance. A chaotic firefight ensues, forcing Ellie and Dina to flee. They take refuge in a subway station, but the WLF soldiers pursue them, igniting flares to illuminate the darkness. The flares, however, trigger a swarm of Clickers, unleashing a wave of horrifying violence. Ellie is bitten but saves Dina. The WLF is overwhelmed by the horde, allowing Ellie and Dina to escape but not without a near death experience.
Finding safety in an old theater, Dina, in shock and fear, confronts Ellie with a gun. She believes Ellie has been infected and must be killed. Ellie is forced to reveal her immunity, an unbelievable truth that Dina struggles to accept. Ellie manages to convince Dina to let her rest to prove her immunity.
Hours later, Ellie awakens unharmed, proving her immunity to Dina. Dina then reveals her own secret: she is pregnant. This shocking revelation intensifies the emotional weight of the moment, culminating in a passionate and intimate encounter between the two women.
Bella Ramsey and Isabela Merced deliver exceptional performances throughout these scenes, portraying the complex emotions of fear, love, and desperation with remarkable authenticity.
The episode culminates with Dina confessing her love for Ellie and expressing her desire for a future together, a family with Ellie and their child. Ellie’s response, “I’m going to be a dad!” is a mixture of humor and tenderness.
Suddenly, the sound of distant explosions shatters the moment of peace. Ellie and Dina grab a walkie-talkie stolen from the WLF and investigate. Ellie attempts to protect Dina by suggesting she stay behind, but Dina refuses, grabbing Ellie’s hand and stating, "Together."
Episode four strengthens the foundation for the second half of the season. It leaves viewers on the edge of their seats, eager to witness the consequences of the explosive events and see how the complicated relationship between Ellie and Dina evolves.
