The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 7 Ending Breakdown & Review

A Brutal Goodbye: The Last of Us Season 2 Finale Breakdown & Review

We waited two years. We hoped, theorized, and braced ourselves. And now, with Episode 7 of The Last of Us Season 2, that wait is over. But after the storm settled—both literally and narratively—we're left asking: did it really deliver?

Let’s dive into what actually happened, what it means, and why this episode left us both shaken and slightly unsatisfied.

The Ending: Chaos, Consequences & One Final Gunshot

The episode closes with a violent, tense standoff between Ellie and Abby—one that mirrors and echoes every decision that’s brought them to this point. It’s not a happy ending. It’s not even really an ending. It’s a realization that this world doesn’t have clean conclusions.

Ellie confronts Owen and Mel, demanding Abby’s location. Owen resists. Mel seems hesitant. Moments later, both are dead—and Mel was pregnant. That moment hits Ellie like a truck. It's more than a physical kill—it’s the emotional horror of realizing you’ve destroyed a future. Her breakdown, imagining Dina in Mel’s place, was probably the most powerful emotional beat of the season.

When Abby finally finds Ellie, and Jesse is killed instantly in one of the season’s most abrupt moments, it’s clear this cycle of revenge isn’t over. Ellie confesses to being responsible for Abby’s friends' deaths, and Abby utters the chilling line, “I let you live and you wasted it.” Then—gunshot. Cut to black.

Did Abby fire? Did Dina? We don’t know. And that ambiguity? It’s kind of perfect.

Transition to Season 3: Welcome to Seattle, Day One

Just when we’re processing that final shot, the scene shifts. Abby wakes up in a football stadium surrounded by crops, people, and signs of survival. Then we see it: Seattle – Day One. And with that, the show officially sets the stage for Season 3 to be Abby’s story.

This confirms what had long been rumored—Season 3 will show Abby’s journey through Seattle, and probably the emotional fallout of Joel’s death from her perspective. For fans of the game, this isn’t surprising. But it’s still bold for the series to fully shift protagonists.

Does this mean less Ellie in Season 3? Possibly. But with the moral complexity at play, maybe that’s the narrative shake-up the show needs.

Themes: The Cycle of Revenge, Humanity, and Emotional Whiplash

This episode, and honestly the entire season, hammered home one message: no one wins in revenge. Joel, Ellie, Abby—they’re all broken by it. And as much as we want to root for someone, The Last of Us dares us to question whether anyone is actually the hero here.

Ellie’s character arc this season was complicated. She was impulsive, selfish, often unlikeable. And maybe that’s the point. She’s a teenager born into trauma, hardened by death, and blindly chasing vengeance. But the show didn’t always balance that complexity well. In Episode 7 especially, her decisions felt chaotic and disjointed—like teleporting through storms, facing impossible odds, and somehow making it through clean. It took the tension out of some truly intense moments.

Still, her horror at realizing Mel was pregnant? That grounded her again. That’s when the weight of it all truly landed.

A Finale That Fumbles, Then Finds Its Footing

Let’s be real: Episode 7 was messy. Pacing issues, strange character logic, and sudden reunions made parts of it feel like fast-forwarding through critical beats. Ellie’s story arc this season struggled with clarity. Was she a reckless hero? A flawed anti-hero? Sometimes it felt like the showrunners weren’t quite sure.

But then there’s the ending—raw, ambiguous, haunting. That final gunshot. The shift to Abby. Those moments worked. It reminded us what this series does best: taking emotional devastation and turning it into quiet reflection.

The Last of Us Season 2 - Land of Geek Rating: 7/10

While The Last of Us Season 2 delivered emotional punches and powerful performances, it stumbled in structure and pacing. A bold but uneven season that sets up something potentially stronger on the horizon.

✅ Pros

• Strong Performances: Bella Ramsey continues to bring emotional depth to Ellie, and supporting cast like Jesse and Tommy elevate their roles with raw authenticity.
• Powerful Themes: The series nails its core message—revenge destroys everyone. The moral ambiguity is uncomfortable but deeply human.
• Cinematic Ending: The final 10 minutes of the finale? Masterclass. Tension, emotion, and ambiguity all woven beautifully.
• Abby Setup Is Intriguing: The shift toward Abby’s perspective promises a new narrative style and thematic focus in Season 3.

❌ Cons

• Pacing Issues: Characters seemingly teleport across the map with little consequence, making parts of the journey feel rushed or disjointed.
• Ellie's Character Writing: While flawed characters are interesting, Ellie’s impulsiveness sometimes felt more frustrating than compelling.
• Only 7 Episodes: After a two-year wait, a shorter season feels like a letdown—especially with so much story left unexplored.
• Joel’s Absence Hit Hard: His presence loomed large, but the void he left often made the season feel unbalanced.

Is Season 2 better than Season 1? Not really. Joel’s absence was deeply felt, and the world didn’t feel as rich without his steady presence. But Season 3 has the chance to be something totally different—and hopefully more focused.

Here’s to hoping we don’t have to wait another two years for it.

Stay alive and stay tuned for more post-apocalyptic breakdowns right here at Land of Geek Magazine!

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