The Last of Us Season 2 Finale Concludes with a Cliffhanger — Here’s What Occurred

The Season 2 finale of HBO’s The Last of Us presented an emotional conclusion, taking a cue from House of the Dragon’s approach with a mid-scene blackout and a puzzling flashback, leaving viewers with more questions than resolutions.

So, what precisely transpired between Abby (Kaitlyn Dever) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) in those closing moments? Who discharged the firearm? Who made it out alive? And what does that foreboding “Day One” subtitle signify? Let’s dissect it all.

What Transpires in the Final Moments of The Last of Us Season 2?

Following a harrowing three-day journey through Seattle, Ellie ultimately finds Abby’s group at a coastal aquarium. There, she eliminates Mel (Ariela Barer) and Owen (Spencer Lord). She then re-encounters Tommy (Gabriel Luna) and Jesse (Young Mazino) before returning to the improvised cinema base she shares with Dina (Isabela Merced).

However, the tranquility is short-lived. Ellie and Jesse hear a ruckus in the lobby and hurry to check it out—only for Jesse to be shot immediately by Abby, who has somehow tracked them down. It’s the first time Ellie has crossed paths with Abby since she killed Joel (Pedro Pascal) months prior.

Abby, clearly enraged and mourning, challenges Ellie while holding a wounded Tommy at gunpoint. She demands Ellie yield or face Tommy’s death too.

“I allowed you to live,” Abby states, acknowledging Ellie. “I let you live. And you squandered it.”

Abby lifts her weapon. Ellie begs, “No, no, no!”—and then a gunshot echoes as the screen fades to black.

But the episode doesn’t conclude there.

The Flashback: “Seattle: Day One”

In the final moments, the narrative rewinds to three days prior. We follow Abby as she’s called by Manny (Danny Ramirez), a companion from the Washington Liberation Front (WLF) and former Firefly, to meet with WLF leader Isaac (Jeffrey Wright).

Abby traverses a corridor and steps onto a balcony overlooking a busy stadium — the WLF’s Seattle stronghold. This flashback sets the groundwork for what’s ahead in Season 3, presumably revealing Abby’s perspective during Ellie’s entry into Seattle.

Did Abby Shoot Ellie?

That’s the burning question. The gunshot coincides precisely with the screen shifting to black, leaving the outcome ambiguous. However, it seems improbable that the series would eliminate Ellie so soon after losing Joel earlier in the season.

So, who fired the shot?

One theory suggests that Dina, who remained in the cinema and likely overheard the ruckus, intervened and shot at Abby. Since Dina isn’t depicted during the confrontation, it’s plausible she’s the one who pulled the trigger.

Still, confirmation will have to wait for Season 3.

Is Jesse Deceased?

Regrettably, it appears so. Jesse is shot in the head almost instantly upon entering the lobby, and he doesn’t rise again. Considering the expression on his face and the subsequent immobility, it’s safe to conclude he did not survive.

Jesse’s death is particularly poignant given that he was on the verge of becoming a father and had made significant efforts to steer clear of danger throughout the finale.

What’s the Importance of the Abby Flashback?

The flashback to “Seattle: Day One” echoes the series’ earlier use of time jumps, similar to the Joel flashback in Episode 5 that led into Episode 6. It signifies a shift in viewpoint and prepares Season 3 to delve into Abby’s journey during the same timeline as Ellie’s.

This narrative tool also suggests that we’ll discover more about Abby’s motivations and her group’s plans before Ellie interrupted everything.

What’s Happening Between the WLF and the Seraphites?

The finale also hints at an impending clash between the WLF and their adversaries, the Seraphites. We observe Isaac laying out an attack strategy, and later, alarms sound from the Seraphite village—just as Ellie is in proximity.

While we don’t witness the battle itself, the show is evidently setting up a significant confrontation between the two factions, which will likely be explored in future episodes.

Final Thoughts

The Last of Us Season 2 finale concludes on a gripping cliffhanger, leaving viewers yearning for answers. Did Ellie survive? What awaits Abby? And how will the conflict between the WLF and the Seraphites develop?

We’ll have to await Season 3 for the answers.

New episodes of The Last of Us premiere Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.

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