THE LAST OF US Season 2 Episode 5 Shocks Fans with Spores, Joel Cameo, and Dark Revelations!

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Currently, we’re deep into the narrative of “The Last of Us” season two. With just seven episodes in total, the second installment is moving swiftly. The fifth episode of this series not only advances the story significantly but also features a surprising guest appearance. This episode also introduces an element that’s crucial to the “The Last of Us” video game series, something fans have eagerly anticipated. So, let me catch you up on what transpired in this latest installment with our comprehensive recap of “The Last of Us” season two, episode five.

New Revelations From The Last of Us Season 2, Episode 5

The Video Games’ Spores Have Finally Arrived in the Live-action The Last of Us Series

This episode is all about spores, and it’s fitting that they become the main focus. In the video games, The Last of Us and The Last of Us Part II, spores play a significant role in the spread of the Cordyceps fungus. Characters frequently wear gas masks to avoid breathing in harmful airborne spores.

In the TV series “The Last of Us,” the creators initially opted against using spores as a means of infection spread. Instead, they introduced a unique method in season one where Cordyceps propagated through vine-like tendrils that grew from infected individuals, interconnecting their minds into a single entity. This additional mode of transmission, aside from the traditional biting or saliva passing, was incorporated into the show to heighten the drama of infection and to avoid having characters like Joel and Ellie constantly wear gas masks.

Now, the threat from the infected has escalated even further. From the very beginning, we’ve been cautioned about Cordyceps spores. In the second season of The Last of Us, WLF agents discovered that one of their best had entered a seemingly deserted level in their Seattle hospital. Within minutes, he was gasping for breath and speaking incoherently. “It’s in the air.” This is how the deadly Cordyceps spores were introduced on The Last of Us season two.

We See Spores in Action

To simply mention that spores are part of The Last of Us universe isn’t enough for this series; instead, we witness these spores in action. They look quite striking! In a sealed-off area, Ellie pursues Nora, an associate of Abby’s Firefly group. As we watch, the air seems to thicken with the spores, and there’s a captivating shot of a nearly-transformed WLF soldier expelling more of them into the atmosphere. It’s genuinely unsettling. Although Ellie remains unharmed, it’s clear that the spores are clogging Nora’s throat heavily.

Dina Admits She Loves Ellie

It’s clear there’s more going on than just spores here. For instance, Dina and Ellie have made a significant stride in their relationship. Dina confessed her feelings for Ellie, even though she called her crazy at the same time. However, it was a loving kind of crazy that Dina mentioned, one of the reasons she cherishes Ellie. Dina expressed, “You’re a bit crazy, but it’s exciting, it’s one of the things I love about you.” In response, Ellie seemed taken aback and asked if Dina was genuine. It appears that Dina is serious, and while Ellie might not express her feelings as easily as Dina, it seems she does want to reciprocate the sentiment.

Could it be that Dina and Ellie are progressing quickly in The Last of Us season two? There’s a possibility, given their rapid pace, but considering how gradually things had been unfolding until now, we can’t necessarily fault them for this. Moreover, they appear to be in the early stages of a romantic relationship, which is often an exciting and speedy period.

Jesse and Tommy Sneak out of Jackson and Come to Seattle to Save Ellie and Dina

It seems things aren’t going well for Ellie and Dina in Seattle. With the infected, WLF, and Seraphites making the situation incredibly complex, it appears Ellie and Dina are heading towards trouble as they’re surrounded by infected while searching for Nora. However, Jesse shows up just in time to help them out. He reveals that he and Tommy left Jackson secretly after Ellie and Dina ran away, hoping to protect them from harm. This action is admirable, but it also means everyone will likely face significant trouble when Maria learns about their escape.

In the fifth episode of The Last of Us season two, Tommy isn’t present, and the reunion between Dina, Ellie, and Jesse doesn’t last long. Soon, they find themselves in the midst of a Seraphite attack, causing Dina to get hurt. In response, Jesse and Dina flee, while Ellie embarks on a solo mission.

Ellie Shows No Mercy to Abby’s Friend Nora and Goes Way Dark Side on her Quest for Revenge

The vengeful cycle persists within “The Last of Us”, as Ellie, fueled by Joel’s demise, pursues Nora – a friend of Abby in the Fireflies. This chase ensues through the hospital where Nora works, leading them to a level teeming with spores. Being immune, Ellie remains unaffected, but Nora is swiftly transformed into an Infected, adding a gruesome intensity to the process. Yet, Ellie fails to empathize with Nora’s suffering; her single-minded focus lies in locating Abby. With spores already suffocating Nora, Ellie insists she reveal Abby’s whereabouts. When Nora refuses, Ellie seizes a pipe and initiates her own brutal treatment, recreating the image of Abby wielding a golf club against Joel.

Ellie Knows What Joel Did to the Fireflies in Salt Lake City

In the course of her infection, Nora recounts a list of actions that Joel took against the Fireflies in Salt Lake City to Nora. She reveals that he embarked on a violent spree and killed Abby’s father, who was the sole individual capable of creating a cure from Ellie’s body. Yet, Ellie remains unaffected by her statements. All she responds with is “I know.” This scene suggests that there may have been past discussions between Joel and Ellie about what took place in Salt Lake City during the finale of season one, as it appears that Ellie was already aware of Joel’s actions.

Ellie Is Also Immune to Spores in The Last of Us Series

Enthusiasts of the “The Last of Us” games are well aware that Ellie is resistant to spores. If by some chance Ellie weren’t immune to the spores in the “The Last of Us” series, it could potentially lead to a significant issue. However, it was unknown to Ellie that she would be resistant to this type of infection on her own. Therefore, when pursuing Nora, Ellie took a considerable risk, but it seems her assumption proved correct.

Pedro Pascal Returns for a Joel Cameo

Ahoy! It’s fantastic to have Pedro Pascal gracing our screens once more in episode five of The Last of Us season two, as Joel. Though his character doesn’t take up much screen time in this particular episode, his brief appearance at the end, uttering “Hey Kiddo” to Ellie, leaves us with a warm fuzzy feeling. Given their healthy-looking and harmonious demeanor, we can’t help but wonder if this scene is a flashback or perhaps a hallucination. Alas, only time will tell!

Questions

Why Are People Not More Worried About Spores on The Last of Us Season 2?

In this recap of episode five from The Last of Us Season 2, we can’t help but notice the repeated focus on spores. A question arises: Are the WLF officers truly convinced that sealing off a floor with spores resolves the issue? This seems implausible! After all, if there were spores in one area, wouldn’t people be worried about possible contamination elsewhere? The emergence of new infection routes should trigger significant concern. However, it appears that many characters in The Last of Us Season 2 are choosing to avoid contemplating this issue too deeply. But why is that the case?

Will Spores Return in The Last of Us Season 2?

After wrapping up the discussion about spores, a logical query emerges following the fifth episode of The Last of Us season two: Could spores reappear? It’s hard to imagine that would be the last we see of spores in The Last of Us. We can only speculate that we’ll have to keep watching to find out if our main characters will once again encounter this type of infection.

Does Ellie Learn Where Abby Is?

As Ellie succumbs to her vengeful nature and starts inflicting pain on Nora to learn about Abby’s whereabouts, it remains unclear whether her anger will lead to success. Has Ellie been able to extract information from Nora about Abby’s location? At this point, we are still uncertain.

Just How Much Does Ellie Know About What Joel Did in Salt Lake City?

When Nora shares with Ellie details of Joel’s past in Salt Lake City, Ellie appears unfazed. She claims to be aware of the events that transpired there. However, her knowledge might not be as thorough as she suggests, considering we haven’t witnessed any conversations between Ellie and Joel regarding Salt Lake City before. It seems plausible that Ellie may be referring to general assumptions about what happened, rather than specific, factual knowledge. The upcoming scenes hint at the possibility of us discovering more about Ellie’s true understanding of events in Salt Lake City.

Will Pedro Pascal Return as Joel in the Final Two Episodes of The Last of Us Season 2?

In the fifth episode of The Last of Us season two, we catch a brief glimpse of Pedro Pascal’s character, Joel, for approximately five seconds. It seems insufficient, and I can’t help but feel that there must be more. However, as of now, the show has yet to give any guarantees about Joel’s return in season two.

The Last of Us airs Sundays at 9pm on Max and HBO.

Previous recaps: Episode One, Episode Two, Episode Three, Episode Four

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2025-05-12 05:15