"Recap and Review of 'The Last of Us' Season 2, Episode 3: The Wolves Strike and Leave Scars"
Rewritten Article:
Last week's gut-wrenching episode of The Last Of Us left many viewers shaken and disheartened, just like the show's remaining heroes, who are left reeling after witnessing not just the infected’s attack on Jackson, but the brutal murder of one of the main protagonists of the series. The third episode of Season 2 truly sets the story in motion.
Spoiler alert to those who haven't caught up!
Waking Up to Reality
Episode 3 begins in the aftermath of the attack on Jackson, and Tommy (Gabriel Luna) is found sitting next to his brother's lifeless body, consumed by grief. Ellie (Bella Ramsey), suffering from broken ribs and a punctured lung, wakes up in the hospital. She is quickly overwhelmed by visions of Joel's (Pedro Pascal) death and starts to scream uncontrollably. They have to drug her to calm her down.
Three months pass, and winter fades away, making room for spring. Ellie is given the all-clear by her doctor, but she must undergo therapy sessions with Gail (Catherine O'Hara) before she is allowed to leave. In these sessions, Ellie reveals that Joel told Gail he had wronged her, but this didn’t resonate with her since he told Gail, "I saved her."
Ellie confesses that Joel saved her numerous times, then comments sarcastically, "I wish I’d been able to let him off the hook for whatever it was he thinks he did. I guess I’m gonna have to let myself off the hook for that." She expresses regret over the altercation at the dance being the last time she ever spoke with Joel. She saw him on the porch the night before he died, and wishes she had spoken with him then, but she admits that it’s not the last thing you say to someone that defines your entire relationship.
Gaily Makes Light of a Heavy Situation
Gail clears Ellie to leave and she returns to Joel's house, exploring the rooms and finding his wood carvings and a box on the bed with his watch inside. Under the cloth, she also finds Joel's gun. It's clear that Tommy left these items as a keepsake for her to find. Ellie goes through Joel's closet, breaking down in tears during a poignant moment.
Then Dina (Isabela Merced) appears, bringing cookies as a peace offering. Dina had not shared any information about the attackers during the past three months, fearing it would upset Ellie while she was recovering. Now, she reveals that she recognizes most of their names and that they belong to the Washington Liberation Front (WLF), based in Seattle. They convey this information to Tommy, who has conflicting feelings about seeking revenge while the town is still rebuilding.
The Town Divided
The Jackson Council convenes to discuss the situation. Various townspeople testify in favor of and against seeking out Joel’s killers. One townswoman expresses her concern for Joel and the attack, but argues that sending 16 people to Seattle to search for his killers would leave the town vulnerable to more harm. Another implores the Council to let go of revenge, stating that the citizens of Jackson should embody forgiveness and mercy rather than vengeance.
The only one who supports Ellie’s revenge quest is the same man who caused a ruckus at the dance, who Joel ultimately knocked to the ground: Seth (Robert John Burke). He scolds the rest of the citizenry for their lack of spine, declaring that, "We let enemies come into our house and kill one of our own, and do nothing. They’ll just come back if we do nothing." Ellie shares this sentimental speech, but the Council moments later votes overwhelmingly against supporting the mission to find and punish Joel’s killers.
Ellie Takes Matters into Her Own Hands
Disillusioned, Ellie decides to venture out on her own to hunt down Joel's killers. Dina senses that Ellie is determined to leave and makes her own arrangements. She confronts Ellie, telling her that she is going with her, and that she has a contact who can help them. It’s not Jesse, she says, as Jesse is too much of a rule-follower. They pack up and head to the gate, where none other than Seth appears. Ellie is still angry with him, but he proves to be instrumental in their plans.
Characters in this show are, without a doubt, complex and enigmatic—people do truly surprise you.
As our heroes continue on their journey, we are treated to breathtaking views of the American West, a haunting reminder of the beautiful landscapes we once knew and now stands tainted by blood and horrors.
The Seraphites: A Gentle Introduction
The first encounter we have with the Seraphites, a.k.a “the Scars,” is surprisingly heartwarming. A father and his daughter walk at the front of the group, clad in muted brown cloaks, carrying hammers and packs. The father talks about their prophet, who has been deceased for ten years, but whose spirit remains within them. While these Seraphites are migrating from Seattle, trying to escape the war and distance themselves from the past, danger lurks in the form of roving wolves.
When Ellie and Dina finally make it to the outskirts of Seattle, they witness a scene of carnage. This group of tame, peacemaking Scars was slaughtered, even the little girl. Dina is sickened by the sight and retches nearby. Surveying the bodies, Ellie is left horrified and resolved to find the ones responsible.
Changes from the Game (Spoilers)
The creators occasionally make tweaks to the storyline when adapting it from the game. I personally found the battle for Jackson in last week's episode to be quite memorable and effective, as it left the town damaged but resilient, providing a believable reason for its people to hesitate about vengeance. In the original game, the town was not attacked, making the decision to pursue Abby’s gang less compelling.
One significant alteration lies in the three-month time gap between the events at Jackson and Ellie’s departure. In the game, Tommy sets out immediately to chase Joel’s killers, and Ellie, Dina, and Jesse (Young Mazino) follow. In this season, only Ellie and Dina embark on their revenge mission initially. This stylistic decision will certainly impact the way the rest of the plot unfolds, as the upcoming plot involves the repeated occurrence of Tommy’s actions.
Another significant change involves Abby and her friend Manny (Danny Ramirez)—we don't see Abby at all, but we get a brief glimpse of Manny. It remains to be seen whether Abby will appear much throughout the series, or if the writers will follow the game's approach, giving us mostly Ellie's perspective in Season 2 before transitioning to Abby’s perspective in Season 3.
A humanizing approach has been taken in the series' portrayal of the Seraphites, whereas the WLF—who we have already come to despise due to Abby—seem less nuanced as a result. Despite the differences, the game's factions are still somewhat caricatured, with their names such as “the Scars” and “the Wolves” harkening back to The Walking Dead. Giving these groups depth is crucial for a more layered story.
Lastly, I wonder if Ellie telling Gail that she did not speak to Joel on the porch serves as a misdirect. In the game, we know that the two did, in fact, have a memorable conversation that night. This could either mark a major departure from the game, or they may save that conversation for a later episode. I lean towards the latter explanation.
- Ellie's therapy sessions reveal her regret over not speaking with Joel on the porch before his death, a situation she wishes she could change.
- The code 'cd31a433019154db6c38d5a9cf579535' might be a reference to Entertainment news covering the latest developments in The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 3, involving Ellie's quest for revenge.
- Bella, an actress playing Ellie in The Last of Us, faces heart-wrenching scenes as her character grapples with Joel's death and decides to embark on a journey for revenge, which could create significant buzz among Aussiedlerbote (German for "immigrant messenger"), given the show's popularity.
