The Last of Us was never just a story about survival in a devastated world. From the very first season, it became clear that the real focus of the series lies in the internal conflicts of its characters and how their choices shape — and destroy — human relationships. With the arrival of the second season, the complexity of The Last of Us characters deepens even further, showing that in such a brutal setting, there are no simple heroes or villains. Understanding this depth is essential to grasp the true strength of the narrative.
5. Joel and Ellie are not just survivors: they carry layers of pain and love
After the five-year time jump, the second season shows that the relationship between Joel and Ellie is no longer the same. Ellie’s initial coldness and Joel’s frustrated attempts to reconnect reveal an invisible fracture, built upon the lie he told at the end of the first season. The series makes it clear that both have changed — and that the story we knew between them has become more bitter, more complex, and filled with invisible scars. It is not enough to see them simply as a makeshift father and daughter: there is anger, guilt, protection, and sorrow intertwined inseparably.
4. Joel’s death changes everything, but the bond with Ellie remains
The second episode of the season brings one of the most devastating scenes of the entire series: Joel’s death. Even with the recent distance between them, Ellie’s despair upon seeing Joel wounded reveals that the bond built over the years never truly broke. This brutal moment hits hard not just because of the violence but because of the emotional weight of everything left unsaid — the loss of the only person who, despite all conflicts, represented unconditional love for Ellie. Joel’s death transforms the world of the series and repositions the entire story around the pain of loss.
3. Abby is not just a villain: she is the protagonist of her own story
At first glance, Abby appears as the one responsible for the tragedy. But The Last of Us refuses to build shallow antagonists. The series shows that, for Abby, Joel is the monster who destroyed her life. Without knowing what Joel meant to Ellie, Abby’s motivation is deeply personal: to avenge the murder of her father and the loss of hope for humanity. Just as Joel made a decision driven by love, Abby is driven by pain. Understanding this is crucial to seeing that there are no easy sides in The Last of Us — only people trying to survive their own tragedies.
2. Every decision is driven by love, pain, or survival, not “good” or “evil”
The trolley dilemma — saving a loved one or millions of strangers — is the moral heart of The Last of Us. For Joel, there was never a doubt: Ellie was his only choice. For Abby, revenge was inevitable. The series rejects simple judgments. The moral complexity of its decisions reflects a world where survival and personal feelings outweigh noble ideals. By diving into this ambiguity, The Last of Us challenges the audience to question their own notions of right and wrong.
1. The complexity of The Last of Us characters reveals their humanity
Joel is not just a hardened survivor: he is someone who plays the guitar, who once dreamed of being a singer, and who fights to fix what he loves. Ellie is not just a rebellious teenager: she is fascinated by space, loves puns, and carries deep traumas. With Abby’s arrival, the series continues to expand this gallery of characters full of contradictions. The Last of Us is, above all, a story about seeing the other — and about the difficulty of accepting that everyone, including ourselves, is infinitely more complex than they seem.
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The Last of Us is available on HBO Max.
