4 moments coming on The Last of Us that we’re not ready for

4 moments coming on The Last of Us that we're not ready for

As a seasoned gamer and avid fan of The Last of Us franchise, I can confidently say that the upcoming second season on HBO is poised to leave me emotionally drained and physically exhausted. Having experienced the heart-wrenching twists and turns in the video games, I’m bracing myself for an even more intense journey when it comes to life on screen.


In a remarkable display of fidelity, the debut season of “The Last of Us” on HBO and Max stands as one of the most accurate representations of a video game ever made, arguably the most faithful. Given this impressive start, anticipation for the second season is sky-high, as it tackles the highly acclaimed video game, “The Last of Us Part II” by Naughty Dog. If it lives up to its source material, there will be moments in the series that may leave viewers utterly unprepared.

Whether you’ve already played the Naughty Dog games or are experiencing the story for the first time in the HBO series, these upcoming moments will break your heart and raise your heartbeat beyond what’s recommended. So it’s time to break them all down! But before we begin, it’s important to note that potential SPOILERS for The Last of Us season 2 and beyond will follow. So if you don’t want anything ruined, we’d recommend bookmarking this page, waiting for the second season’s release sometime in 2025, and coming back after you’ve watched it to see how we did!

Glad you’re still with me! Let’s delve right into four shocking scenes from the The Last of Us series that will leave you unprepared!

1. The franchise’s biggest death

In simple terms, nothing could have truly prepared us for the emotionally intense scene when playing The Last of Us Part II, except perhaps the unlucky leaks before its release. Although some speculated Joel’s death might occur in the second installment of Naughty Dog’s cherished series, few anticipated it would happen right at the start of the game. What made it even more shocking was not knowing how this tragic event would play out.

In the year 2013, Joel and Ellie were established as some of video gaming’s most memorable characters following the release of “The Last Of Us.” Consequently, players anticipated that Joel would have a significant heroic moment before his demise. Possibilities included him sacrificing himself to save Ellie or perishing while eliminating a large group of clickers. However, none of these scenarios occurred. Instead, it was revealed that his death was surprisingly ordinary, lacking any grand significance or objective. A short while into the sequel, he was startlingly killed after being brutally beaten with a golf club.

For those watching the HBO version, it’s clear that a deeply affecting scene is approaching. Yet, when it comes to witnessing this event unfold in real life, we still find ourselves unprepared. This is particularly true when Pedro Pascal’s character meets his end.

2. Here comes the Rat King

In contrast to the first season of the show, which followed all events from the first Last of Us game, it remains undecided which incidents from the second game will be featured in season 2 next year. Some events may be shown in season 3 and beyond. Nonetheless, it’s guaranteed that we will eventually witness the chilling introduction of the Rat King on our screens.

As a dedicated fan of survival-horror games with a deep affection for Naughty Dog’s masterpiece, The Last of Us Part II, I can confidently say that the Rat King is one of the most terrifying and challenging creatures I’ve ever encountered in a video game. Having played through the game multiple times, I can attest to the sheer dread that accompanies the mere mention of his name.

3. Ellie kills Mel and Owen

In The Last of Us series, there are numerous instances where ethical dilemmas arise. A striking example is when Joel chose to doom the world to preserve a young girl’s life, yet later deceives her about the real circumstances. Throughout Naughty Dog’s tale, every character faces challenging (and sometimes questionable) choices, either for survival or personal revenge. Ellie is no exception to this pattern.

As a devoted fan, one particularly nerve-wracking instance stood out when she cold-bloodedly took the lives of Mel, a pregnant woman, and her child’s father, Owen. The ensuing scene was harrowing to witness. In the words of Harvey Dent, “You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain.”

As a long-time fan of “The Last of Us,” I can empathize with Ellie’s desire for revenge against Abby in season 2, given the significant impact Joel’s death has had on her life. However, I find myself conflicted when it comes to Ellie’s decision to seek vengeance by taking innocent lives. In my own experiences, I have learned that violence only breeds more violence and doesn’t bring true justice or closure. It seems that the world of “The Last of Us” is a grim reminder that there are no heroes, just survivors trying to make it through each day. Watching this story unfold in live action will undoubtedly be intense and thought-provoking, but I worry about the message it sends to viewers.

4. Dina abandons Ellie

In simple terms, “The Last of Us” is a deeply emotional tale. Time and again, it appears that the main characters have found a glimmer of peace, only for things to take a turn for the worse. This pattern repeats frequently, such as when Henry and Sam perish, when Joel meets his end, and, sadly, when numerous other characters pass away. However, one instance that truly encapsulates this tragic theme is when Ellie’s partner Dina leaves her close to the finale of “The Last of Us Part II“.

In the apocalypse, there’s no traditional happy ending, but Ellie found a semblance of one with Dina, forming a family and raising a child together. Their life was serene and beautiful… until it wasn’t. When Ellie declared her intention to hunt down Abby and end their feud once and for all, it became too much for Dina. After months of uncertainty about Ellie’s fate, Dina felt it was too risky to their newfound family. With a heavy heart, she decided she couldn’t wait any longer for Ellie. So with tears streaming down her face, Dina made the difficult choice to move on without her.

Watching that storyline unravel in the video game was truly heart-wrenching, and I have a feeling it’s going to tug at our heartstrings all over again when it appears on the TV show. Frankly, I don’t think we’re psychologically prepared for another round of that emotional turmoil.

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2024-08-09 18:41

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