The Last of Us Season 2 Finale: Does Ellie Survive?

The conclusion of The Last of Us Season 2 came on Monday with an intense seventh episode that left fans on the edge of their seats with a significant cliffhanger.

This season has certainly been a wild ride, especially after the shocking death of Pedro Pascal’s character, Joel, in the second episode. Ellie (played by Bella Ramsey) witnesses Joel’s brutal death at the hands of Abby (Kaitlyn Dever), which sets her on a relentless quest for vengeance.

Throughout the season, Ellie embarks on a journey that leads her to the devastated city of Seattle, where a fierce conflict unfolds between the WLF paramilitary group and the religiously fanatical Seraphites.

As the finale unfolds, we see the culmination of Ellie’s quest for revenge. So, what exactly happens?

Warning: Spoilers for both the TV series and the games ahead!

What Happens in the Finale?

The episode picks up after Ellie has captured Nora (Tati Gabrielle) and tortured her for information about Abby’s whereabouts, leading to a tense confrontation in an infested hospital. After learning some cryptic clues about Abby, Ellie returns to Dina (Isabela Merced) in an emotionally fraught state.

Finally, Ellie reveals the truth behind Abby’s desire for revenge: Joel had killed her father and the entire Firefly group. Dina comes to understand their situation: Joel was a killer, and Ellie’s quest for revenge may ultimately be futile. They agree to head back home, but Ellie remains consumed by her desire for revenge.

During a recon mission with Jesse (Young Mazino), Ellie spots a ferris wheel and an aquarium in a flooded area of the city. She parts ways with Jesse to reach the ferris wheel, unintentionally ending up at a Seraphite camp.

Captured and nearly killed, she’s saved just in time by a WLF attack. When she finally arrives at the aquarium, she doesn’t find Abby but encounters two members of her crew, Owen (Spencer Lord) and Mel (Ariela Barer).

In a tragic turn of events, as Ellie instinctively fires her weapon in self-defense, she accidentally kills them both. Mel, who is pregnant, pleads with Ellie to save her baby through a C-section, but Ellie, horrified by her actions, cannot help.

At this point, Jesse and Tommy find her during a deeply unsettling moment, and they agree to return to Jackson. However, Abby tracks them back to the theater seeking retribution. In a shocking confrontation, Abby shoots Tommy in the leg and kills Jesse. She then corners Ellie, hinting at her intentions, and the screen cuts to black just as she aims her weapon.

If the TV series follows the game’s storyline, Ellie survives this attack, although she is left deeply traumatized and harboring bitterness towards Abby for both Joel’s and Jesse’s deaths. How she escapes could differ in future episodes.

What’s Next for Season 3?

A third season is confirmed, but it may shift focus away from Bella Ramsey’s character. The teaser suggests an epilogue featuring Abby navigating a former football stadium now serving as a WLF base.

This strongly indicates a pivot towards Abby’s backstory, motivations, and her own journey. Just as in the games, the show appears to explore themes of violence and revenge, prompting viewers to empathize with a character previously seen as a villain.