Seattle Brings Big Revelations in The Final of Us

After a strong but largely muted third episode, The Final of Us obtained again on observe with this week’s fourth episode. We discovered extra concerning the struggle taking place in Seattle between the WLF and Scars, whereas Ellie and Dina continued their search for Abby. That pair additionally confronted their greatest problem but, one that may change the course of their relationship and The Last of Us eternally. Let’s dive in.

Every time The Final of Us provides us one thing completely out of the blue, it’s normally a very good signal for what’s to return. So when the episode began with the phrases “2018 – Seattle Quarantine Zone,” I used to be stoked. The present loves a very good flashback, and this was a very, very good one.

Inside a navy car, a gaggle of FEDRA troopers is joking round and telling tales. One performed by Josh Peck (sure, of Drake and Josh fame) tells a gross story about considered one of his dumb colleagues to the delight of just about everybody. One particular person behind the shot has their face guard down however is, clearly, not having fun with the story about three “voters” who obtained messed with. “Why do they name residents, ‘voters?’” a soldier, who’s clearly new, asks. That’s when the group’s Sergeant, performed by Jeffrey Wright, chimes in. He says FEDRA calls residents “voters” as a result of FEDRA took away the residents’ rights. So the time period “voter” is to mock them for having no rights. It’s a chilling declare and a robust suggestion that the character isn’t blissful about one thing.

The FEDRA transport runs right into a blockade and, regardless of the troopers’ need to leap out and assault, Wright’s character tells them to not. He’s going to speak to the “voters,” and asks the brand new man to return together with him and be taught one thing. The group’s chief, performed by Legally Blonde and Sister Act 2 star Alanna Ubach, asks if Wright’s character is called Isaac. He asks if she’s named Hanrahan. Once they each agree, Isaac takes two fuel grenades, throws them into the again of the transport, and locks the door, killing all of the troopers. He then shoots the driving force and asks the brand new child, performed by Ben Ahlers, to choose. “Welcome to the battle,” Hanrahan tells Isaac.

We’ll be taught later that we’ve simply seen the origin story of the present chief of the WLF, Isaac. A FEDRA soldier who defected from that group to 1 that was extra about humanity and folks than navy management. All of which can turn out to be very, crucial to the general message, not simply on this episode, however later ones too. Plus, that was only a hell of a chilly open to an episode.

Eleven years later, within the current day of the present, Ellie and Dina are scavenging an previous pharmacy. It’s “Seattle, Day One,” based on the on-screen textual content, and this demarcation of time and place is past vital. Bear in mind it, stay by it, write it down if it’s important to.

Ellie and Dina are within the Capitol Hill part of Seattle, very confused about all of the rainbows round with the phrase “Satisfaction” on them. Ellie thinks possibly the individuals right here had been simply optimists. We all know it was a lot, rather more than that, and the cheeky juxtaposition of the LGBTQ ladies not figuring out about LGBTQ assist speaks volumes to how uninformed the characters on this present are concerning the world because it as soon as was.

Exploring the desolate streets, that are suffering from lifeless our bodies in FEDRA gear in addition to a tank, Ellie and Dina spot a WLF constructing. However they understand they will’t strategy it till dusk, in order that they kill time in a spot many people would select to go to in Seattle: a music retailer.

Right here we get just a little break from the world and a captivating second the place Ellie finds a guitar that hasn’t rotted and performs just a little tune. It’s the Eighties basic “Take On Me” by A-ha, however acoustic, and we be taught it’s one thing Joel taught her. It brings Dina to tears, and can delight followers of the sport, because it’s a direct raise from that. Right here on the present, it helps us to see the connection between Dina and Ellie deepening, and that there’s nonetheless some magnificence on this messed-up world. One thing that was a lot wanted at the start that follows.

First up, modern-day Isaac is giving a speech to somebody off-camera about how he used cooking to impress ladies. He lauds the qualities of French cookware earlier than mentioning how they aren’t nice for interrogation. That phrase, “interrogation,” flips the scene on its head and we see a completely nude member of the Scars has been captured and is being tortured by Isaac. Isaac desires to know the place the subsequent Scar assault is. The Scar desires him to name them by their most popular title, “Serephites.” We be taught that this Scar killed a baby, however he says he solely did it as a result of the WLF kills their kids. On and on the one-upsmanship goes, letting us know the struggle these two teams are combating is extremely violent, largely pointless, and with out a clear good man or unhealthy man. They’re form of each the unhealthy guys.

The distinction, although, based on the Scar, is that members of the WLF defect to turn out to be Scars, however nobody from the Scars defects to the WLF. So, regardless of the WLF’s benefit in expertise and sources, finally they’ll lose. This hits Isaac significantly onerous, contemplating he did precisely that to his former group—and when he realizes the Scar gained’t budge, kills him. This will get a robust seal of approval from the guard on the door; it’s the identical soldier who 11 years in the past was simply beginning his profession and defected with Isaac.

Now, to this point on this episode, plenty of attention-grabbing issues have occurred. A number of character growth has taken place. However there hasn’t been a lot motion. Understanding that, when Ellie and Dina resolve to sneak into the WLF constructing undercover of dusk, and silently conform to kill any WLF members who get of their approach whether or not they had been in Jackson or not, you knew shit was about to go down.

The pair stumble right into a room with a number of WLF members hanging from the ceiling with their intestines bursting out. It’s a sight that when once more makes Dina gag and, shortly, they understand a) the Scars, the group of individuals they noticed slaughtered on the path to Seattle, did this, and b) one of many closing WLF survivors known as for backup. Backup arrives shortly and regardless of orders from Isaac to maintain any captured Scars alive, this group is out to get revenge for his or her actually gutted pals. They’re going to kill on sight.

Dina and Ellie do their greatest to flee quietly, however fail. They kill two individuals and make a run for it, finally taking refuge in a subway station. The WLF follows and throws flares in all places to gentle up the area. Besides, we all know the vegetation linked to the fungal virus that took over the world senses that form of factor and, in a short time, dozens upon dozens of clickers arrive. An enormous battle erupts, distracting the WLF sufficient so Ellie and Dina can escape. However not earlier than a number of shut calls, together with Ellie having to place her arm within the path of a biting zombie, saving Dina within the course of.

Immediately, Dina’s demeanor adjustments. Ellie has been bitten. She must be killed. And by the point the pair discover a good hiding spot in an previous theater, Dina pulls her gun on Ellie. At first, Ellie is confused. She was performing out of intuition, not even fascinated about the actual fact Dina has no thought she is immune. So, Ellie begrudgingly reveals this however Dina doesn’t consider her. Which, you completely perceive. It will be like somebody coming as much as you and saying, “The sky is orange.” You’ve been led your entire life to consider one factor and now they’re presenting one thing fully opposite to that. In Ellie’s case, nevertheless, the sky is orange. She is definitely, impossibly immune and convinces Dina to let her relaxation and show it.

Hours later, Ellie awakens simply as she was. Simply as she promised. A shocked Dina approaches and tells Ellie what we might fairly clearly inform from the clues prior to now few episodes: Dina is pregnant. The depth of the second and the extremely emotional revelations between the 2 burst right into a lustful change, and the 2 make love.

It’s value taking a second right here to applaud how unimaginable each Bella Ramsey and Isabela Merced are in these scenes. Ellie’s determined pleas for Dina to belief her and consider the unattainable. Dina’s deep battle about throwing away her beliefs. Each stuffed with angst, worry, and love. The actors introduced the entire thing to a different degree. It was unimaginable work.

The truth is, that continues into the episode’s closing scenes, the place it’s lastly revealed that Dina loves Ellie simply as a lot as Ellie loves Dina, however her upbringing made it onerous for her to confess. As a baby, Dina instructed her mother she preferred each girls and boys however her mother instructed her to solely like boys. That caught along with her and now, solely when she thought she misplaced all the things, can she lastly be who she is. She desires a household with Ellie and their child, which brings up Ellie’s positive to not be misinterpreted line “I’m going to be a dad!”

Simply then, explosions echo from exterior. Ellie and Dina, who stole a walkie-talkie from the WLF, go exterior to get their bearings. The explosions are far within the distance, however they should verify them out. Ellie tells Dina she will be able to keep again as a result of issues are completely different now, however Dina grabs her hand and says, “Collectively.” Dina could also be pregnant, however nothing is completely different in her eyes.

If the episode solely had the second of Ellie revealing her secret to Dina, it could’ve been strong. However to begin to construct out Isaac as one other formidable power, to see extra concerning the struggle in Seattle, and get a style of what life could possibly be like for these characters, that simply introduced all of it house.

Should you can consider it, we are actually greater than midway by The Final of Us season two. Speak about it beneath.

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