Discover Exciting New Characters and Surprising Revelations in the Latest Episode of The Last of Us!

Each Sunday night, HBO drops a new episode of season 2 of The Last of Us. Here at Ars, Kyle Orland and Andrew Cunningham share their thoughts after watching. Fair warning: major spoilers are ahead, so catch up on the episode first!

Kyle: The episode kicks off with armed FEDRA agents in a gas-fueled transport in Seattle, 2018. It struck a chord with me—especially how they casually joke about voters. It feels eerily relevant to today’s political climate, right?

Andrew: We haven’t seen much of FEDRA since the early episodes, which makes their cruelty shocking. This scene reminds us why so many in the world despise them.

And when Jeffrey Wright’s character shows up? You know he’s important. His betrayal of the agents signals a man with morals—but also danger.

Kyle: We get a deeper look into Isaac’s character here, which is a nice touch since it was only brushed upon in the games. However, Ellie’s guitar moment felt dragged out—especially the too-long close-ups of Dina’s reaction. In the game, it was a fun break from intense action, but here, it just lingered.

Andrew: I appreciate they tried to explain why the guitar was still in good shape after 30 years. Although, the silica gel packets might not realistically last that long, at least they avoided a medieval mishap like a mossy guitar. I also thought the song choice was quirky. That guitar can pull off almost anything, though! You know what I mean.

Kyle: The ’80s nostalgia is strong here, and as a child of that decade, I can’t help but enjoy it.

Andrew: Exactly! It’s relatable—most new guitar players would strum easy songs. I’d probably crank out some mid-2000s hits if I found an old acoustic.

Kyle: Moving on, the episode features a disturbing torture scene that felt even more intense than in the games. It looked like they really wanted to push HBO’s boundary on graphic content.

Andrew: True, but it did serve to frame Isaac as a real villain. It’s clear that Ellie and Dina are stepping into a vicious conflict, especially with the WLF and the cult. The tension is palpable as they navigate this civil war.

Kyle: I enjoyed the detailed discussion on the history between the warring factions. But I also feel like we have to brace ourselves for the obligatory infected attack scene every episode. It’s getting predictable.

Andrew: Yeah, it seems like Seattle is a hotspot for infected! I was more intrigued by the strategic infected we saw in the previous episode. And Ellie’s escape plan was overly complex. Still, I guess we need our zombie fix.

Kyle: I noticed the hints regarding Dina’s health, possibly suggesting a deeper storyline. It’s complicated but could add layers to Ellie’s character arc.

Andrew: True. But I wonder if it’ll just amplify Ellie’s struggles instead of offering a window into the challenges of parenting in a post-apocalyptic world.

Kyle: This episode feels like a blend of the game’s narrative and fresh ideas. Some scenes stick closely to the original story, while others have been rearranged. It’s a mixed bag of improvisation!

Andrew: Agreed! Despite the shifts, I still feel the essence of the game. The stealth kills, for instance, draw you back into that video game world. The episode wraps up with a new lead for Ellie and Dina—let’s see where it takes them next!

Kyle: I’m eager to see how Dina embraces her identity. It’s important to showcase diversity and representation even during chaos.

This season continues to develop characters and themes deeper than mere survival, all while keeping viewers on the edge of their seats. The balance of nostalgia, emotional depth, and intense storytelling makes each episode a captivating experience.

For more insights into the series and its themes, check out HBO’s official page.

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