Ellie’s Descent and the Complexities of Violence in The Last of Us Season 2, Episode 5

Episode 5 of The Last of Us Season 2 centers on Ellie as she delves deeper into violence and vengeance, particularly in her pursuit of Abby. The episode is marked by Ellie’s willingness to kill without mercy, risking the safety of those around her, and culminating in a brutal confrontation with Nora. The narrative draws parallels between Ellie’s actions and Joel’s earlier death, highlighting the show’s focus on the corrupting nature of violence. However, the review notes that the impact of Ellie’s brutality is somewhat softened by keeping the most graphic moments offscreen, which contrasts with how Joel’s death was depicted. Bella Ramsey’s portrayal of Ellie is praised overall, though the reviewer expresses some doubts about the believability of Ellie’s rage-filled transformation, attributing this partly to the script. The episode also reintroduces the concept of airborne spores, raising questions about consistency with the show’s established lore. Action sequences featuring Ellie, Dina, and Jesse inject tension, while the introduction of the Seraphites adds a chilling new threat. Despite strong moments and effective horror elements, the episode’s climax is seen as underwhelming, with the creative team reluctant to fully confront the consequences of violence. Ultimately, while the episode advances the story and explores new psychological territory for Ellie, it falls short of the series’ highest standards.