The Last Of Us S2 felt like a detour that was too focused to set up for the next season

A slow-burning season that makes you wonder if there are any monsters at the end, The Last Of Us Season 2 left like a setup for the next season with an epic cliffhanger.

Right off the bat, people had a clear vision of what they wanted the season to be. We expected intense rage, brutal revenge, heart-wrenching plots, and a stronger, more ruthless Ellie emerging from her challenges. However, what we got instead was a season characterized by a slow burn that often felt as though it was going nowhere. With several disappointing moments leading up to a finale that ends on a significant cliffhanger, The Last of Us Season 2 failed to live up to the high standards set by its predecessor.

TLOU S2 followed the life of Ellie and Joel has they settle in Jackson, Wyoming, focusing on building a community to keep the more prominent threat away. While Joel is content to be a father to a daughter again, Ellie has her doubts about what occurred in Salt Lake. It's when this doubt becomes overwhelming, that things fall apart between the two, setting the stage for the season.

Also Read - The Last of Us S2 E01 review: Strained relationship, revenge and a new threat on the rise!

Just like the previous season, we were introduced to characters who play significant roles in advancing the story. Both a threat and an aid to Ellie, these fan-favorite characters were highly anticipated in the show. Isaac (Jeffery White), the leader of the anti-FEDRA militia group known as the WLF (Washington Liberation Front), is embroiled in a war against the religious group called the Seraphites. With an army at his command, we get a glimpse into a secret war brewing in the shadows. Additionally, we gain some insight into the beliefs of the Seraphites, who view the cordyceps infection as a form of divine retribution. While we will have to wait for the show to fully explore their existence in the next season, this season has effectively laid the groundwork for the challenges that Ellie will face.

What makes the show so intriguing is the anticipation of Ellie embarking on a journey to seek revenge. It is established early on that she is not very different from Joel (Pedro Pascal). Contrary to what Tommy (Gabriel Luna) believes, she has always been a soldier, walking side by side with him. We see that she is just as capable of going in guns blazing and killing ruthlessly for those she cares about. Making Ellie see how they are more alike than they would like to admit. However, despite this characterization, we only get a few glimpses of her true nature throughout the season. What happened to the intelligent Ellie, who was destined to be a leader in FEDRA? How did she end up needing guidance from Dina? While we can understand that her anger from witnessing Joel's death made her reckless and caused her to act impulsively, it's surprising that we never got to witness her other survival skills. The show definitely missed the point, but Bella Ramsay, who unfortunately has been under scrutiny from the start, was able to work within the storyline and deliver their version of Ellie.

This was addressed in episode 7, which challenges not only Ellie’s morals but also the extent of her desire for revenge. We find ourselves grappling with a complicated admiration for Ellie, one that compels us to seek justification for her actions. When we witness her torturing Nora (Tati Gabrielle), a member of Abby’s (Kaitlyn Dever) squad whom she manages to confront, we see a reflection of Joel’s cold-hearted nature in her behavior. Dina’s (Isabela Merced) comment, “Well, maybe she got what she deserved,” prompts Ellie’s retort of “Maybe she didn’t,” highlighting her own doubts. This doubt becomes prevalent when Jesse (Young Mazino), who finds out he is about to be a dad, shows her that not everything revolves around her. He encourages her to look beyond her desire for revenge and to care about the community that still exists. You can't deny that Ramsay delivers a powerful performance as she discusses Ellie’s community, Joel, who she was forced to watch die, making it clear why her revenge matters. Episode 7 serves as a continuation of her battle with wanting revenge, with a lingering need to find mercy, especially with the deaths of Owen (Spencer Lord) and the pregnant Mel (Ariela Barer), whose death occurs accidentally. While these moments shine, there were moments, like Ellie being captured by the Seraphites, that felt more like an attempt to acknowledge certain moments from the video game. It's not only dialed down, but it also seemed like a misstep even for non-gamers.

While the finale delivered a gripping climax, Ellie’s storyline felt somewhat underwhelming, with her revenge arc left largely unexplored. However, with a series of rapid, unexpected moments, the last episode keeps you on the edge. It’s clear that showrunners Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, by gracing us with a fleeting moment, aimed to build anticipation for the next season that will focus on Abby’s story. One minute you see Jesse and Ellie make up and the other you find Abby right in front of Ellie, pointing a gun at her. Before you come to terms with what happened, you hear a gunshot and the screen goes blank, leaving us wondering what happened. The finale leaves us with an exciting setup for next season, but also with the disappointment of unexplored rage and action we loved in season one.

What do you think of this season? Let us know in the comments below

For more such entertainment, follow us at @socialketchupbinge