‘The Last of Us’ Season 2 Finale Breakdown: Who Lived, Who Died, and What’s Next

The Season 2 finale of HBO’s The Last of Us was a brutal ride. If you thought Ellie’s journey couldn’t get any darker after Joel’s death, think again. Episode after episode, we watched her break down, lose her way, and burn every bridge in the name of revenge. And now, we’ve hit the boiling point. The finale aired on May 25, and fans are still recovering from the emotional punch.

Here’s a full breakdown of what happened, who survived, who didn’t, and what it might all mean for Season 3.

Ellie Opens Up to Dina About Joel’s Secret

Ellie’s rage through the season has been mostly silent, but in the finale, she finally speaks out. She tells Dina everything. That Joel murdered the Fireflies at the end of Season 1 to save her. That they were going to use her immunity to try to make a cure. That Joel killed everyone to protect her, and never let her decide for herself.

Dina is shocked but stays supportive. She gives Ellie a bracelet for luck, even though she wants to return to Jackson. Dina stays at the theater while Ellie goes off with Jesse to find Tommy. But it’s clear Ellie is still far from done chasing Abby.

Ellie Leaves Jesse Behind to Find Abby Alone

While searching for Tommy, Ellie hears a call over a WLF radio about a sniper. Jesse thinks it’s Tommy and wants to help. But Ellie figures out something else. Abby is probably hiding at the Seattle aquarium. So, once again, Ellie chooses vengeance over friendship. She curses Jesse out and takes off on her own.

She grabs a boat, but a violent storm and her lack of sailing skills leave her stranded on an island. That’s where she’s captured by the Seraphites. They mistake her for a WLF member and nearly lynch her. But a surprise attack by the real WLF distracts them, and Ellie escapes.

Two More Deaths: Owen and Mel

Ellie finally reaches the aquarium. She finds two of Abby’s friends, Owen and Mel, having a heated discussion. It’s clear they know something important about Abby, but Ellie doesn’t care. She wants answers now.

She pulls a gun. Owen tries to fight back and gets shot. Mel gets hit too, and in her last moments, reveals she’s pregnant. She begs Ellie to help save the baby, but Ellie is frozen. She doesn’t know what to do. Mel dies. The baby dies too. And Ellie still doesn’t find out where Abby is.

Jesse and Tommy Arrive… and Then One of Them Dies

Just as Ellie is falling apart, Jesse and Tommy arrive and take her back to the theater. The three of them regroup. Ellie starts to calm down. She even makes peace with Jesse. They agree to go back home.

But peace doesn’t last long.

They hear a noise. Jesse and Ellie rush into the lobby. A gunshot rings out. Jesse is hit and dies instantly. Standing there with a gun? Abby. And she’s pointing the next one at Tommy.

Ellie begs her to stop. She admits to killing Abby’s friends. She’s ready to take the blame. Abby raises her weapon… and the screen cuts to black.

That Final Scene: What It Tells Us About Season 3

Right before the credits roll, we get a surprising twist. We see Abby alive and well in a WLF compound. But the timestamp says this happened three days ago—before Ellie arrived in Seattle.

That flashback hints at something big. It looks like Season 3 will dive into Abby’s story. Just like the video game, the next season may shift the focus away from Ellie and show us what life has been like from Abby’s side.

That means less screen time for Bella Ramsey. And probably no return at all for Pedro Pascal’s Joel.

So, What’s Next?

HBO hasn’t given a release date for Season 3. But fans can expect a major change in tone and point of view. Abby is set to become the center of the story. Whether fans will warm up to her is another question. But if there’s one thing The Last of Us does well, it’s telling painful, messy, unforgettable stories.

One thing is certain—Ellie’s choices have left a path of destruction. And we’re only halfway through the consequences.

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