The Last of Us has just wrapped up its highly anticipated second season, and the finale sets the stage for a major shift in the series’ storytelling approach. Fans of the original game will recognize this as a deliberate move to deepen the narrative and offer a fresh perspective on familiar events, making viewers see the story in a whole new light.
Spoilers ahead for Seasons 1 and 2 of The Last of Us, as well as both games.
After a more peaceful moment in the penultimate episode, which explored Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie’s (Bella Ramsey) evolving relationship over several years, the finale plunges back into intense darkness. The episode centers on Ellie’s relentless quest for revenge against Abby (Kaitlyn Dever), the woman who killed Joel in a brutal act of retribution for her father’s death.
Despite being caught in a war-torn Seattle, caring for a pregnant girlfriend who’s been severely injured, and listening to Jesse (Young Mazino) emphasize the importance of community, Ellie’s obsession with vengeance takes over. When she learns Abby might be hiding in a nearby aquarium, Ellie abandons everything to pursue her, only to unintentionally kill two of Abby’s friends—one of whom is pregnant.
This pivotal moment underscores just how far Ellie is willing to go for revenge, highlighting her determination and the cycle of violence she’s caught in. But the episode doesn’t end there. In a shocking shift, the final moments cut to Abby in a sprawling settlement inside a baseball stadium, following her own three-day journey. The screen reads “Seattle: Day One,” signaling a significant narrative turn.
This storytelling technique mirrors the structure of The Last of Us Part II. In the game, players initially see Abby as a villain to be hunted, then switch to controlling her perspective, allowing players to understand her motivations and see her as both a villain and a victim—much like Ellie’s evolving view of her.
According to co-showrunner Craig Mazin, translating this complexity from game to screen presented unique challenges. “We can’t reproduce the shock of becoming a person,” he explained in a press Q&A. “In the games, you are Joel, Ellie, or Abby. When that perspective shifts, it’s jarring because you’ve been someone else. Here, we’re watching everyone equally on screen.” He emphasized that the show aims to honor the idea that different characters experience these events in vastly different ways, even as their stories eventually intersect.
Looking ahead, season 3 is expected to focus heavily on Abby’s story. Neil Druckmann, co-showrunner and creative director of the games, hinted that ending the current season earlier wouldn’t have done justice to the narrative. “There’s an epic story coming, and this other side of it is really important,” he said.
That said, Ellie and Joel will still have significant roles in future seasons. The series is known for its flexible storytelling, often shifting perspectives to serve the narrative. It’s unlikely that season 3 will be solely from Abby’s point of view, but understanding her story will be crucial. It will shed light on how her experiences both mirror and diverge from Ellie’s, influencing how viewers sympathize with or oppose each character.
Mazin explained that both Ellie and Abby are struggling as they move forward, their certainty slowly unraveling. “They’re in moral trouble,” he said, “because their confidence in what they’re doing begins to falter. Ellie, in particular, is starting to question herself as she faces the consequences of her actions and the people she’s hurt.”
Introducing a third major perspective marks a bold shift for the series—similar to how killing off Joel in season 2 transformed the narrative. Mazin believes this evolution is integral to the series’ structure. “This show will be different every season,” he affirmed, promising an engaging and dynamic storytelling journey ahead.
