The Last of Us season 2 episode 5 ends with a heartwarming cliffhanger (Recap)

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As a cinephile immersed in the thrilling tale of Ellie and Dina, I find myself bracing for an escalation of challenges. The infected, those relentless beasts, the Wolves, and the Scars – these formidable adversaries are closing in. The question that lingers is whether our pursuit of vengeance might ultimately prove to be our downfall.

In episode 5 of “The Last of Us” season 2, titled “It’s in the Air,” Ellie and Dina get a grim, up-close look at the ruthlessness of the Scars. However, they soon find themselves in an even more perilous situation when they are confronted by the infected. Amidst the turmoil, Ellie seizes her first chance for retribution, only to uncover a shocking truth.

Close calls

The episode opens with a dialogue between two military wolves stationed at a hospital in Seattle, which now has its basement levels barricaded, making them inaccessible except via a single staircase. This conversation reveals that a number of soldiers, including one woman’s son, were left behind due to the toxic spores spreading through the air (a detail crucial for later events).

Reinforcements arrive

In the meantime, Dina is monitoring the Wolves via the walkie-talkie and consulting a map, positioning herself as the strategic mind behind the vengeance plot. While she’s busy with that, Ellie spends some time investigating an old theater, where she discovers another guitar.

Her enthusiasm for playing wanes swiftly, yet we don’t have a moment to ponder as Dina uncovers some intriguing facts. It turns out that Wolves are always exchanging information, exposing vulnerable areas, even regular spots where they frequently monitor.

Yet, it appears that neither Ellie nor Dina venture into the single structure. Being aware of the danger due to likely reasons for the Wolves avoiding the building, they find themselves with no other feasible options.

Ellie discovers some details about Dina’s sad history that makes sense as to why she’s so committed to aiding Ellie. In the evening, they manage to sneak into the building undetected, but it quickly becomes evident why the Wolves had overlooked this particular site.

Initially, one infected entity emerges, which Ellie believes they can outwit. However, it splits into two, and soon, the room is swarming with swiftly moving infected. Noticing a barricaded entrance on the other side of the room, Ellie tells Dina to make a run for it while she keeps the infected occupied.

At first, the plan seems effective, but then Ellie gets overpowered by the infected, and Dina’s protective shield comes close to tearing apart. However, just when things seem dire, Jesse shows up to their rescue.

However, there’s no opportunity for a happy meeting or for Jesse to inquire about Ellie’s injury, as they hastily leave, pursued by Wolf soldiers. Finding themselves in a forest, they swiftly notice that the soldiers aren’t chasing them.

Jesse promptly clarifies that he and Tommy trailed Dina and Ellie with the intention of returning them home, but Ellie refuses to relinquish her quest for vengeance.

It doesn’t take the trio much time to understand why the soldiers stayed away from the woods, as they observe the Scars mercilessly killing a Wolf soldier. They notice Dina being hit by an arrow and wounded in the process.

Amidst the pandemonium that ensued, I found myself parting ways with my companions, but there was one shining beacon in this chaos – Ellie. With determination and skill, she managed to navigate her way into the hospital right at the start of our adventure.

Ellie vs Nora

At the hospital, Nora (Abby’s friend) is nursing injured Wolf soldiers when suddenly Ellie surprises her. However, quick-witted Nora creates a diversion that allows her to slip away unnoticed.

In a desperate move, Ellie pursues someone relentlessly throughout the hospital, eventually reaching a sealed elevator shaft. With no other options left, Nora leaps onto a stationary elevator and, as it suddenly plummets, manages to exit through another elevator opening that fortuitously connected to one of the hospital’s airborne basement areas.

On a new floor, Ellie notices that the spores are floating in the air, causing tiny particles to fill it. Some of the soldiers who couldn’t flee have been affected by these cordyceps. It doesn’t take long for Ellie to spot Nora, who is gradually being infected by the spores.

When Nora observes that Ellie appears unperturbed, she comes to understand that it was her who had immunity. She shares with Ellie what Joel did that day at the hospital, yet Ellie continues to show no reaction.

Ellie proceeds to break Nora’s legs with a heavy wrench, demanding to know of Abby’s whereabouts.

The return of a familiar face

Amidst the loud cries and torment, the screen darkens, taking viewers into the initial flashback scene. We find Ellie lying in bed at Joel’s place, with him standing in the open door, beaming at her.

The Last of Us season 2 episode 5 review

At Last, It Appears We’re Getting the Promised Flashbacks of Joel and Ellie! There were numerous instances that called for a flashback explanation, and it seems we are gradually approaching those moments, even delving into Joel and Ellie’s estrangement.

Regarding this latest event, it’s nothing short of breathtaking yet again. The pace has been relentless and chaotic, offering one thrill after another.

For this episode, it was truly spectacular. The action was rapid and disorderly, leaving me on the edge of my seat with adrenaline surging all the way.

When things start moving more slowly, they don’t necessarily grind to a complete halt. The discussions are significant and enlightening, with interactions that flow smoothly. Admittedly, Jesse appearing suddenly to rescue the day seemed unexpected, but it doesn’t prevent Ellie and Dina from continuing their journey.

The manner in which the spores were introduced was skillfully done. On our TV series, these spores have not been shown as an airborne threat from the cordyceps before, making their presence all the more alarming.

Could it be that the airborne factor grows more significant over time? And might Ellie locate Abby before the season concludes?

Now that Jesse and Tommy are here I am waiting, no hoping for Tommy to get some revenge too!

The Last of Us season 2 releases new episodes Sundays on HBO and Max.

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2025-05-12 05:15