Unforgettable: 10 Mind-Blowing Moments in The Last Of Us Season 2 That Rival Joel's Season 1 Finale Massacre

The Last of Us season 2 has the potential to surpass Joel's massacre of the Fireflies in various ways. The game delves into the zombie apocalypse from the perspective of Ellie, who is immune, and her father figure, Joel. While the first game smoothly fitted into a nine-episode first season, the task of adapting the much larger-scale second game will prove even more challenging.

In The Last of Us Part II, Ellie embarks on a vengeful crusade following Joel's death as a result of the Firefly massacre. Simultaneously, Abby, the one who killed Joel, abandons her ruthless militia to protect two children, Lev and Yara, who are part of a religious cult. Throughout their journeys, both Ellie and Abby commit horrifying acts similar to Joel's finale massacre in season 1. Considering the events of the game, there are numerous shocking moments from The Last of Us season 2 that could surpass Joel's massacre in terms of impact.

10 Ellie Finds Out What Joel Did

9 Abby Kills Joel

Throughout most of The Last of Us Part II, Joel and Ellie's relationship experiences strain without a clear explanation. However, a flashback occurring in the middle of the game sheds light on the matter. It is revealed that two years prior, Ellie visited the Firefly hospital in Salt Lake City and discovered the actions Joel had taken to save her. As anticipated by Joel, this revelation irreversibly damages their friendship and leads Ellie to make a heartfelt promise to sever all connections with him. This profound disclosure provides essential context for Ellie's relentless pursuit of vengeance. The reason behind her unwavering determination to avenge Joel's murder lies in the fact that his untimely demise denied her the opportunity to forgive him.

In The Last of Us Part II, Joel faces a devastating consequence for his actions in the Firefly massacre. After rescuing Abby, a woman he saved from infected beings, Joel discovers that she is the daughter of the Firefly surgeon he had killed. Seeking revenge for her father's death, Abby brutally beats Joel to his demise with a golf club. Unfortunately, Ellie arrives just a few seconds too late to save him, adding to the heart-wrenching nature of this early plot twist. This pivotal moment in the game has divided the gaming community, making it one of the most controversial events in gaming history. Remarkably, the decision to kill off Joel at this stage of the game effectively defied expectations and subverted the storyline.

8 Ellie Tortures Nora

7 The Rat King

Ellie embarks on her pursuit to find Abby, commencing with the brutal torment of her acquaintance, Nora Harris. The chilling ambiance of this tormenting episode is intensified by the dim illumination of red light, enveloping the corridor in a gruesome semblance of blood. This terrifying scene signifies Ellie's irreversible descent into darkness. Once she has crossed the threshold of inflicting pain upon Nora, there are no limits to her relentless endeavor for retribution. Moreover, this portrayal draws a captivating parallel with Joel's prior deployment of torture in the initial installment. Ellie exhibits an equal measure of ruthlessness in her methods of interrogation, yet unlike Joel, she is left deeply traumatized by the encounter.

When Abby infiltrates the WLF hospital to smuggle vital medical supplies for Mel's operation on Yara, she confronts a fearsome and resilient breed of infected known as the "Rat King." The Rat King is a horrifying culmination of stalkers, clickers, and a bloater, fused together to harness their collective powers. Taking down this formidable adversary presents an intense and demanding boss battle in the game. With The Last of Us season 2 now in progress, after the disturbingly realistic portrayal of a bloater in episode 5, viewers eagerly anticipate the portrayal of a live-action Rat King.

6 Yara's Sacrifice

When Lev flees to the Seraphites' island in a desperate attempt to save his mother, Abby and Yara immediately pursue him. As they reach the island, they find themselves caught up in a savage attack by the WLF. In a shocking turn of events, Abby betrays her fellow members in the WLF to assist Lev and Yara. Tragically, Yara sacrifices herself to the merciless WLF, allowing Abby and Lev a chance to escape. This intense sequence emphasizes The Last of Us Part II's underlying concept that the true monsters are not the infected, but rather the survivors themselves. The WLF's absolute absence of compassion in this moment proves to be even more disturbing than Joel's detachment during the massacre in the finale of season 1.

5 Ellie Kills Mel & Owen

While Abby becomes deeply involved in the tumultuous conflict on the Seraphites’ island, Ellie takes the opportunity to visit her dear friends Mel and Owen. Upon returning to her refuge, Abby is filled with horror as she discovers the lifeless bodies of Mel and Owen. Throughout The Last of Us Part II, Ellie commits numerous acts of violence, yet the weight of this particular act is amplified due to Mel's pregnancy. Abby initially contemplates seeking revenge in equal measure upon learning about Ellie's own pregnant partner, Dina. However, at Lev's insistence, she ultimately opts to spare Dina's life.

4 Abby's Ambush At The Theater

3 The Rattlers Attack Ellie

The two perspectives of Ellie and Abby in The Last of Us Part II coincide when Abby discovers Ellie's hideout at the theater and ambushes her group when they least anticipate it. In a split second, Abby takes the life of Jesse, a character who had quickly gained popularity throughout the second game, and injures Tommy, a well-liked character from the first game. While Abby had already earned her role as Ellie's ultimate adversary by killing Joel, this unexpected turn of events further escalates their fierce rivalry.

Upon receiving crucial information that Abby is headed to Santa Barbara, Tommy pays a visit to Ellie and Dina's residence. Despite Dina's desperate pleas for Ellie not to embark on this dangerous mission, she finds herself unable to resist the urge. Once Ellie arrives at her destination, she comes face to face with the most barbaric community in The Last of Us universe: the merciless Rattlers. Known for their sadistic practices of torture, enslavement, and crucifixion for those who dare to defy their authority, the Rattlers' brutal attack narrowly spares Ellie's life, simultaneously highlighting their icy-hearted wickedness. Ultimately, the shared encounter with the Rattlers furnishes Ellie and Abby with a mutual adversary.

2 Ellie & Abby's Final Fight

Ironically, in a twist of fate, Ellie's decision to sacrifice everything in order to carry out her vow to kill Abby ultimately results in her saving Abby's life. The timely intervention of Ellie in Santa Barbara spares Abby from an impending death at the hands of the Rattlers. Discovering Abby bound to a post at sea, in a chilling display of sadism intended for her execution, Ellie releases her. Despite her weariness, Abby's primary concern is rescuing Lev from the harrowing situation, but Ellie coerces Abby into a brutal confrontation by threatening Lev's life. This tense exchange sets the stage for an undoubtedly cinematic, dark, and ruthless final battle, one that will surely captivate audiences when it is brought to life in The Last of Us season 2.

1 Ellie Returns To An Empty House

In a much quieter manner, the conclusion of The Last of Us Part II proves to be just as distressing as the first installment. Ellie arrives back at the home she painstakingly constructed with Dina and J.J., only to discover its desolation and her loved ones gone. Devastatingly, the guitar gifted to her by Joel remains unplayable since Abby severed her fingers during their confrontation. This concluding scene masterfully depicts the heart-wrenching realization that Ellie relinquished everything in her pursuit of vengeance, only to find that it did not resurrect Joel. Undoubtedly, this will culminate in a profoundly poignant finale for The Last of Us season 2.