The Last of Us S2 Episode 4 Shocks Fans With Isaac’s Drastic Backstory Change

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Ellie (Bella Ramsey) and Dina (Isabela Merced) might have reached Seattle, but it’s evident they didn’t fully grasp the challenges they’d face upon arrival in the city. They’re not just dealing with swarms of infected, but also a continuous conflict between the Washington Liberation Front (WLF) and the religious cult known as the Seraphites, or the Wolves call them, the Scars. This has transformed Seattle’s streets into a dangerous battlefield.

In Episode 4, we discover that one significant figure in this conflict is Isaac Dixon (portrayed by Jeffrey Wright, who also gave voice to the character in “The Last of Us Part II” game). He’s a merciless leader of the WLF, firmly resolved in his approach towards the Seraphites. This harsh demeanor is evident in a scene mirroring a sequence from the game, where Isaac cruelly tortures a prisoner named Scar before executing him upon being taunted about defectors leaving the WLF and joining the Seraphites.

In the game, Isaac assumes leadership of the Wolves after the infamous Thursday Market Massacre, where Federal Disaster Response Agency (FEDRA) troops fired on Seattle protesters demanding food from the Quarantine Zone. This led to a shift in civilian loyalty from the military to the Wolves, following FEDRA’s subsequent killing of Emma and James Patterson, the WLF’s founders.

After departing the city, FEDRA handed over control to Isaac. Yet, as food scarcity persisted and tensions with the Seraphites rose, Isaac’s rule took on a more authoritarian nature. The fourth episode subtly revises Isaac’s WLF origins, hinting that he was initially a FEDRA commander who defected upon seeing the brutal military tactics against Seattle residents.

As a film enthusiast, I’ve been curious myself – will we delve into Isaac’s past a bit? Wright hinted at this possibility during an interview with TVLine in November, suggesting that some backstory could indeed unfold. However, it might not be a pleasant journey.

In the game’s narrative, Isaac plays a pivotal role in connecting with Abby’s character development. He was the one who welcomed Abby and her Salt Lake City group to Seattle following Joel’s actions against the other Fireflies. Moreover, it was Isaac who transformed Abby into a soldier and granted her permission to travel to Jackson for retribution against Joel’s deeds. In Episode 2, Abby mentioned a moral code instilled by her Seattle commander (presumably Isaac), which emphasized that one should not kill those unable to defend themselves.

Unfortunately, neither she nor Isaac seems to take that mandate too seriously.

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2025-05-05 06:07