New episodes of the second season of The Last of Us are debuting weekly on HBO every Sunday, and Ars Technica’s Kyle Orland, who has played the games, and Andrew Cunningham, who has not, will be discussing them each Monday morning. These recaps will contain significant spoilers, so viewers are advised to watch the episode first if they want to avoid any plot revelations.
Andrew: We are now five episodes into this season, and thus far, the infected we have encountered have predominantly been the typical “mindless, screeching hordes.” However, the season’s premiere introduced a singular “smart” infected individual that showcased strategic thinking and a survival instinct. This development hints that the series’ monsters are continuing to evolve, suggesting that the pockets of civilization that have emerged are based on flawed assumptions regarding the infected and their capabilities.
Against the backdrop of human conflict, the evolving nature of the Mushroom Zombie Apocalypse frames this week’s episode, which begins and concludes with the alarming discovery that a cordyceps nest dating back to 2003 has transformed into a thriving source of airborne spores, capable of infecting humans without the need for biting.
This revelation comes as a surprise to me, given my unfamiliarity with the games. Kyle, I imagine you were already aware of this twist.
Kyle: Interestingly, I wasn’t aware of this specific storyline. It’s quite possible that I’ve overlooked something, but the current twist involving “intelligent” infected appears to be an original addition to the series. It underscores how much the show has diverged from the games, leaving me uncertain about its direction, which is both exciting and a little frustrating at times.
The introduction of “smart zombies” did create my first genuine moment of suspense, wondering how Ellie and Dina would escape when they were cornered by an intelligent infected. Luckily, Jesse re-entered the fray just in time to rescue them, which you had to anticipate given his previous absence.
Andrew: Following the subway chase from last week, I’ve begun to expect that whenever Ellie and Dina find themselves in dire straits, some external force will intervene to save them at the last moment. In this instance, it was a genuine ally instead of a coincidental enemy. However, the narrative structure feels similar.
I suspect their luck may soon come to an end, perhaps closer to the season finale.
Kyle: Without spoiling future events from the games, I can assure you that both Ellie and Dina will encounter their share of fortunate and unfortunate scenarios as the season progresses. Speaking of unfortunate, while the duo is hiding in the park, we witness the disturbing treatment of captured WLF members by local cultists, a portrayal that feels particularly grim in an HBO production, even compared to the gruesome moments in the games.
Andrew: Previously, the cultists were likened to “Amish people,” and given their lack of military-grade weaponry compared to others in this world, such brutality is likely intended to establish them as a credible threat. However, for those squeamish about graphic violence, this episode is certainly hard to stomach.
I’ve started to appreciate Dina and Ellie’s relationship more, especially Dina’s character. Although her tragic backstory feels somewhat cliché, she cleverly addresses the trope herself. Dina functions well as a counterbalance to Ellie’s impulsive tendencies, though they continue to engage in reckless behavior. Still, I’m rooting for their survival!
Kyle: The chemistry between Dina and Ellie mirrors that of Joel and Ellie from last season, albeit with different motivations. While Joel and Ellie had a clear purpose, Dina and Ellie’s drive for revenge feels increasingly less relevant as the narrative unfolds.
The show seems to acknowledge this as well, occasionally exploring the question of whether chasing down their adversaries is worth the potential alternative of returning to Jackson and preparing for a new life. It’s almost as if the writers are convincing themselves, and the audience, that their quest for vengeance is justified.
Andrew: I noticed the moments when the protagonists paused to consider, “Do we really want to continue this?” It’s apparent they will proceed with their mission, given the various factions introduced. Yet it seems clear that this pursuit will never restore Joel, and could certainly lead to a tragic outcome, particularly given Jesse’s precarious narrative position compared to Ellie and Dina’s protective arcs.
Kyle: I feel that exploring the angle of “Ellie and Dina abandoning revenge to create a life together post-apocalypse” would have been an audacious choice. Such a concept would pose challenges for a franchise built around action-oriented gameplay.
Andrew: If The Last of Us Part II became a town-building simulator where players alternated between managing community resources and fending off attacks, it might alienate fans of the original game. But personally, as a fan of The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Adventure, I encourage sequels that deviate significantly from established gameplay norms.
Kyle: The “We killed Joel” faction member, Nora, would no doubt prefer if Ellie and Dina had opted for the domestic choice. Instead, Ellie finds herself on the path to a grim conclusion in a cordyceps-infested basement.
The chase scene that unfolds parallels a sequence from the game, but watching it as part of a TV show made it difficult for me to suspend disbelief, particularly given the heavily armed soldiers seemingly unable to confront a noisy young girl.
Andrew: Jesse may effectively take down numerous “smart” infected, yet in this scenario, the armed soldiers appear to struggle against a girl with a large backpack running down a hallway—an exercise in bewilderment! Nevertheless, the imagery of the cordyceps den, with grotesquely transformed humans exhaling dense clouds of spores, creates a chilling atmosphere.
This episode also revealed that Ellie is not unaware of Joel’s actions regarding the Fireflies at the end of last season, when she hears about it from Nora moments before the episode concludes. It’s unclear if Ellie is deceiving those around her about her knowledge, but considering her emotional volatility, it seems unlikely she would mask genuine surprise.
Kyle: Discussing Ellie’s awareness and emotions could lead to significant spoilers. For now, the show’s method of conveying this development through Nora’s spore-laden desperation felt somewhat abrupt for me.
I was also confused by the sudden transition from “Ellie torturing a prisoner” to a “peaceful young Ellie flashback” at the episode’s conclusion. Is the audience meant to infer what she’s processing in her mind, or is the narrative merely shifting without clear transitions?
Andrew: This could imply that next week’s episode will explore flashbacks detailing what Ellie knows and the rationale behind her actions before resuming the main storyline. But only time will tell!
Kyle: I’m eagerly anticipating any impending flashbacks; however, the abrupt transition to them, especially at the end of such a brutal episode, left me puzzled.
Andrew: The intent might be to pique interest about Joel’s potential return next week—but it could also be a cruel tease! Most likely, though, it isn’t… right?
Kyle: I secretly hope that the next episode circles back to Ellie and Dina without touching on the brief flashback at all. The audience will just have to deal with it!
