Last Night's Last of Us? Devastating.
Seriously, wasn’t last night’s The Last of Us episode brutal? I'm still reeling. The whole thing was a brutal descent into grimness and revenge, leaving me – and apparently everyone else on social media – completely speechless.
Ellie's Revenge: A Bloody Path
We pick up with Ellie and Dina, hot on the trail of Abby, the woman responsible for Joel’s death. Their hunt takes them to a Seattle hospital, where things get… intense. Ellie confronts and, let’s just say, doesn’t have a very pleasant chat with Nora, an associate of Abby's. Tati Gabrielle absolutely nails the performance, but honestly, if you haven't played The Last of Us Part II, this part might feel a little out of left field.
That's because Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann are playing the long game here. They're using this delayed-release storytelling technique, mirroring the game's two-act structure. The thing is, the show is stretching this narrative across seasons. So, the full impact of certain scenes – like Ellie's brutal encounter with Nora – won’t really hit until we get the "Abby" half of the story. That could be a while… possibly two years, which is a LONG wait.
Think of it like this: they're making us wait for the other shoe to drop. It's ambitious, but it might also frustrate viewers who prefer instant gratification. I’m definitely somewhere in the middle on this one.
There’s also this heartbreaking flashback with Joel, a sweet moment showing happier times. It’s right before Ellie goes all in with Nora, making the contrast even more intense and highlighting her emotional turmoil. It’s a gut punch, really.
Airborne Spores and a Rat King?
This episode throws in a huge curveball: airborne Cordyceps spores. This aligns the show more closely with the game's lore, and holy moly is it terrifying. It ramps up the danger level significantly. And, if you listen closely during the conversation between Hanrahan and Elise at the beginning, there are some pretty subtle hints about the Rat King – that horrifying infected monster from the game – lurking in the hospital basement. It’s a great way to build suspense for the next season.
Honestly, the spores change everything. It's a game-changer (pun intended) that ups the ante for future episodes. The Rat King foreshadowing? Pure genius, especially if you know what's coming.
Reactions, Mixed Feelings, and the Future
The episode's sparked a ton of online discussions, especially about the graphic violence and Ellie’s transformation. Some people love the raw emotionality and how closely it follows the game. Others are worried about the pacing and the long wait for answers. It's understandable, really. You know how sometimes things just spiral?
The Last of Us continues to be a gripping, emotionally challenging watch. The show tackles tough subjects and complex characters which is what makes it so good. But this decision to split the story across seasons is a gamble. It could either pay off huge or leave viewers feeling frustrated. I'm cautiously optimistic, but I definitely won't be holding my breath. Time will tell.
The Wait Begins…
Episode five is a masterclass in building suspense. We're left with tons of questions about Ellie's future and the world around her. The airborne spores and those Rat King hints promise even more intense conflict. The pacing might irk some, but the show’s commitment to the source material and its unflinching look at violence and grief remains powerfully compelling. I can’t wait (and yet I also kind of dread) what comes next.
