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- Ellie confronts her inner rage and grief in a haunting sequence with Nora, revealing her connection to Joel and the truth about the hospital.
- The Sarapites grow more brutal, the Cordyceps threat mutates, and a flashback teases major revelations in the next episode.
- While some scenes lacked impact, the basement confrontation saved the episode, delivering raw emotion and narrative depth.
What Happened in The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 5? Ending & Breakdown
The Last of Us Season 2, Episode 5 had me a bit torn. It was one of those episodes that starts strong, lingers in a mid-episode lull, and then sucker-punches you in the gut with a finale that reminds you exactly why you fell in love with this brutal world in the first place.
Let’s break it all down.
A Chilling Start: Elise’s Unthinkable Choice
The episode kicks off with Elise being interrogated about killing her own team, including someone named Leon—a name that hits hard later. But what really sent chills down my spine? The reveal that Cordyceps is airborne now. Airborne.
That moment where Leon radios in, claiming he hadn’t been bitten but still felt something… and Elise realizes the infection is spreading through spores? Terrifying. It shifts the stakes completely. No more relying on bite marks or visible wounds—this thing can creep in while you're just breathing.
Elise’s decision to seal the lower levels and kill Leon—who we learn is her own son—set a horrifying tone. Sacrifice has always been part of this story, but this took it to another level. It's gut-wrenching, and it’s peak post-apocalyptic storytelling.
Ellie and Dina: Love in the Time of Cordyceps
Here's where the episode sagged a bit. Ellie and Dina’s romantic banter felt… off. Not because love doesn’t belong in this world—it does—but because the tone feels out of sync with their current mission.
Don’t get me wrong, I love these characters. But when Dina’s trying to patch up her leg and Ellie’s dropping cliché lines like, “You love me,” I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. It’s like the tension of the revenge quest deflates every time they start flirting.
That said, it’s not without purpose. Their connection is real, but when survival is on the line, the writing needs more edge and less fluff.
Warehouse Stalkers & the Return of Fear
Let’s talk about the warehouse scene. I loved this.
Stalkers lurking in the shadows, multiplying in number, and emitting that maniacal laughter? It gave me Resident Evil meets Stranger Things vibes, and it was terrifying in the best way.
The only downside? Jesse showing up like a one-man SWAT team to save the day. It felt way too convenient and kinda undercut the fear the scene had built. But I’ll forgive it if it means we get more of Tommy next week.
Ellie, Nora, and the B2 Breakdown
Now we’re talking. The confrontation between Ellie and Nora in the hospital was raw, emotional, and had serious Abby vs Joel echoes.
Ellie forces Nora into the sealed-off B2 level—the same place where the spores are now a death sentence. And then it happens: Ellie finally lets herself feel again.
When she beats Nora with that pipe, it’s brutal. But it’s also cathartic. She’s not just hunting Abby—she’s carrying Joel’s memory, and we finally see that weight on her shoulders.
That guitar moment? “If I ever were to lose you…” Yeah. That one hit like a truck.
Also, shoutout to the visual design here. The red lights, the foggy spore-filled air—it looked like something out of a horror film, and it was perfect.
Cordyceps 2.0: Leyon's Fate and the Viral Ecosystem
Seeing Leyon alive but consumed—essentially a spore-spewing puppet—was grotesque and fascinating. It gave the infection a new form, not just as a disease, but as a network, an ecosystem of horror. He’s not dead. He’s just… infected into eternity.
The show keeps finding ways to make the Cordyceps evolve. We’re beyond clickers now. This is next-level biohorror.
Sarapites and the Religion of Pain
The Sarapites finally took center stage, and wow, these folks are terrifying. From the “fill her love” graffiti to the ritualistic execution of a WLF soldier, they’re painted as religious zealots with zero chill.
Watching them draw and quarter someone in the name of salvation was haunting. And their refusal to take useful intel from him? That shows just how far gone they are. Doctrine over logic, always a bad combo.
I really hope we get more of them in future episodes. They’re too interesting to be left in the background.
Flashback Tease: Joel's Return
The ending. That one line: “Morning, kiddo.” I’m not gonna lie—my heart jumped.
Joel showing up in a flashback promises some long-awaited answers. How did Ellie find out the truth? What really went down between them before his death? I’m betting next week dives deep into the emotional rift between them.
It’s going to hurt. And I’m ready for it.
A Mixed Bag, Saved by Emotion
Was this the best episode of the season? No. Did it have some of the best moments? Absolutely.
Ellie finally reclaiming her purpose, the evolution of the infection, and the haunting visuals made it memorable. The slower pacing in the middle and awkward romance beats held it back a bit, but that basement showdown? Chef’s kiss.
If the next episode delivers the way I think it will, this one might just be the calm before an emotional storm.
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