HBO’s The Last of Us Fixes Key Problems with Dina’s Character

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In a natural and easy-to-understand manner: HBO’s “The Last of Us” (2023-Present) is currently halfway through Season 2, and it has already made several adjustments from the original video game. Neil Druckmann, who co-created and wrote the game and serves as an executive producer for the TV adaptation, has expressed a willingness to modify aspects of the show if these changes improve the narrative over the game. So far, these adaptations have been successful because they make more sense within the context of the series compared to the original game’s storylines. One notable example is the alteration to Tommy’s story in the show, which has proven to be more effective than his arc in the game.

In the HBO series, the character of Ellie’s love interest, Dina, underwent some changes. While she still retains her essential Dina-ness, she is portrayed as a fully fleshed-out character with distinct thoughts, beliefs, and personal growth. Compared to her role in The Last of Us Part II (2020), where she seemed more like an element supporting Ellie’s narrative, the HBO series has addressed these shortcomings and aims to make Dina a more substantial and engaging character within the show.

The HBO Series Fleshes Out Dina’s Backstory & Relationships

Dina Reveals the Story of Her First Kill in Season 2, Episode 5

In The Last of Us Part II, Dina is depicted as Ellie’s primary love interest and strongest ally. Throughout their journey together, Dina even encourages Ellie’s pursuit of Abby to avenge her father figure. However, Dina’s pregnancy and Ellie’s increasingly erratic behavior cause Dina to reconsider the hunt for Abby, ultimately leading to a disagreement between them. While Dina is a pleasant addition to The Last of Us universe, in the game she often seemed more like an accessory to Ellie rather than a fully developed character with her own depth and complexity.

From the outset of Season 2, the HBO series sets up Dina’s significant connections, particularly her feelings for someone she’s unsure how to approach. Dina and Joel have developed a close bond, although it doesn’t mirror the father-daughter relationship Joel has with Ellie. Interestingly, Joel is not only comfortable socializing with Dina but also joining her on patrol – an indication of the trust and affection he holds for her. In the game, Joel solely patrolled with Tommy and Ellie, so this is a sign of how much Dina has come to mean to him. Dina also has a tumultuous relationship with Jesse, a young man rising in influence within Jackson, adding complexity to the series’ narrative.

Dina doesn’t have a blood family, but the show makes it clear that she views Joel and Ellie as her chosen family. This is evident in the way she frequently checks on Joel and visits Ellie at the hospital. In the game, Tommy was out on patrol with Joel, but in the series, that role is taken by Dina. Tragically, Dina was there when Abby’s group attacked Joel, and though they drugged her to knock her out, she couldn’t prevent Joel’s death.

This transformation significantly enhances Dina’s personal motivation for joining the pursuit of Abby. Not only does Dina endorse Ellie’s intention to embark, but she also takes care of all the arrangements to depart from Jackson. It was largely due to Dina’s assistance that Ellie managed to progress as far as she did, and even find the Wolves. Dina appears to be as dedicated to this quest as Ellie is, if not more so. When Dina learns she’s pregnant and confides in Ellie, Ellie becomes instantly determined to safeguard Dina and remove her from a potentially hazardous predicament. In essence, it’s Dina who emphasizes the importance of this quest and insists on continuing it.

In Season 2, Episode 5 titled “Feel Her Love”, Dina shares a significant part of her past with Ellie by recounting her first experience taking a life. At the age of 8, she resided in an isolated region near Santa Fe along with her mother and sister. At that point, Dina wasn’t fully aware of the perils lurking outside; all she knew was that spending too much time indoors was tedious and unbearable.

Ellie: This isn’t the right place for us. We made a mistake coming here. I wish I hadn’t brought you along. You’re about to have a baby, and I’m questioning my actions. Dina, do you feel like going back? I can take you there. You don’t need to go through this with me if you don’t want to. I feel incredibly foolish right now.

Dina: You know, you never asked me about the first person I killed.

Ellie: Okay. Who?

Dina: As a child, our home was a cabin nestled in a forest north of Santa Fe. While there were a few families nearby, it was mostly isolated. I would often feel restless, trapped indoors with my mother and sister. I’d plead with them to let me play outside, but my mom was apprehensive and wouldn’t allow it. One day, despite her concerns, I made the decision to venture out alone, armed for protection. Now, you’re aware of the outcome since I no longer reside in a cabin north of Santa Fe, and I no longer have a mother or sister. Given that everyone has their share of past troubles, I’m curious about how you think this story might have unfolded.

Ellie: I don’t know. Raiders?

Dina: Just one. And then?

Ellie: You got home. They were dead, he was gone.

Dina: Nearly. He remained in the same spot. I could hear them shouting, and I rushed back with my gun drawn, but I was overtaken by time because I was only eight years old. Upon hearing me approach, he turned around, showing a clearly surprised expression. When I fired the shot, his surprise seemed even greater.

Ellie: F**k, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know, I thought… How did you get to Jackson?

Dina: What Joel did to those people doesn’t justify the harm that came to him. Regardless of why they acted as they did, he didn’t deserve such treatment. It makes me wonder, what if I hadn’t slipped out? If my mother and sister had been murdered in front of me, would it have made a difference if our family had wronged his people first? No, I don’t think so. And if I hadn’t taken vengeance upon him, if he had escaped, I guarantee you, I would have pursued him relentlessly, for all eternity. Forever.

– Dina tells Ellie about her first kill in The Last of Us Season 2, Episode 5 – “Feel Her Love”

In the video game, Ellie’s response to learning about Dina’s pregnancy was entirely distinct. In the HBO series, however, their roles have been switched, making Ellie the pragmatic and grounded one. She expresses concern for Dina’s well-being and that of their unborn child, showing genuine care. It is actually Dina who encourages Ellie to persist in her journey. Interestingly, it’s Dina who emphasizes the significance of seeking justice and revenge over anything else.

This significant alteration holds significance for both Dina and Ellie. For Dina, it offers fans a deeper insight into Dina’s past, revealing the traumatic experiences she endured, the reasons behind her pursuit of Abby, and why Joel mattered to her beyond just Ellie’s desires. Dina is not only upset but also determined about this. She shares the same ambition as Ellie. Moreover, Dina can relate to Ellie’s emotions because she experienced a similar ordeal herself. Dina found solace and resolution by avenging her family’s death at the hands of a raider, and she is willing to go to great lengths to ensure that Ellie experiences the same sense of justice and closure.

For Ellie, Dina’s approval aligns with her reasoning for remaining steadfast in pursuing her objective, a stance shared by her friends and uncle. However, what makes this validation particularly impactful is that Dina has affirmed her at every step. This unwavering support extends to the point where Dina jeopardizes her own safety to complete the task. Ellie trusts Dina more than anyone else in the world, and Dina’s resolute stance on the Abby situation serves only to intensify Ellie’s determination. If the series mirrors the game’s narrative about Dina eventually withdrawing from the mission, it will also provide a compelling explanation for Ellie’s eventual breakdown.

Dina Depicts a Realistic Coming Out Story

Ellie & Dina are More of a Slow Burn in the Series

In the HBO series adaptation, the pace at which Ellie and Dina’s romance develops is notably swift compared to the source material. Their romantic involvement seems almost instantaneous following the New Year’s Eve dance, where Dina initiates a kiss. This sudden turn of events feels a bit abrupt considering Dina’s long-term relationship history with Jesse. Given her bisexuality and recent breakup, it appears that her swift transition into a new relationship with her best friend Ellie seems more like a rebound than an organic development of their bond. Prior to this, there were few signs that she harbored romantic feelings towards women, which makes the sudden deep dive into a relationship with Ellie seem unexpected and less authentic.

In the series HBO’s The Last of Us, Dina shares a kiss with Ellie during a dance, however, their connection doesn’t immediately evolve into a romantic relationship. Dina makes some remarks that hint at her internal conflict regarding her sexuality, such as “Ellie is gay, and she isn’t,” suggesting that she is grappling with her own bisexual identity. Given that Dina has only had relationships with men in the past, it’s reasonable to assume that a 19-year-old like Dina might be struggling to accept her feelings for another woman, especially since Ellie is her best friend. Pursuing a relationship with Ellie means letting go of her relationship with Jesse, but it also puts their friendship at risk.

In Season 2, Episode 4 titled “Day One,” Ellie receives a bite from an infected creature as she shields Dina. Unaware that Ellie is immune, Dina readies herself to kill Ellie. However, once she understands that Ellie isn’t infected, Dina shares a tender moment with her by kissing Ellie, and they spend the night together. The next morning, Dina admits that when she believed Ellie was infected, their shared future seemed uncertain. With Ellie proving to be unharmed, she no longer felt able to hide her feelings for Ellie, and she didn’t want to anymore either.

The anecdote Dina shares about her mom’s response when she tried to come out makes her character even more intriguing. Moreover, it provides Dina with a more genuine coming-out journey. Since she was young, Dina has had these feelings towards girls. Unfortunately, Dina’s mother passed away when she was eight, so she was very young when she first sensed this attraction. Her mother swiftly dismissed it as an impossibility, causing fear in Dina to always abide by her mother’s words. After several attempts to make things work with Jesse and nearly losing the one she truly loves, she could no longer hide her genuine feelings any longer.

By incorporating this layer into Dina’s bond with her mother, I find myself resonating even more deeply with Ellie’s predicament regarding Joel. Although my mother closed off a significant aspect of my identity, my affection for her remained unwavering. I took the life of her murderer and vowed that, if not for me, I would have pursued him relentlessly to seek retribution for my family. This, in turn, validates Ellie’s present stance. Ellie’s connection with Joel was complex. She chose not to communicate with him, engage with him, or forgive him; however, it’s now beyond reach. Yet, she continues her pursuit of the one who ended Joel’s life, seeking vengeance. Dina demonstrates that a relationship doesn’t need to be flawless for it to carry significance.

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2025-05-18 06:52