The Last of Us Recap: Into the West

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This episode primarily unfolds after a time leap, but it begins by showing two scenes recapping the immediate consequences of the last episode’s events. One scene showcases Tommy, tenderly caring for Joel’s body and expressing his love to Sarah, the daughter Joel tragically lost during the cordyceps outbreak. This moment is poignant, enhanced by the gradual camera pull-back that reveals a room full of deceased individuals, underscoring that Joel was merely one among many recent casualties. The other scene focuses on Ellie, who regains consciousness in the hospital and soon realizes what led her there. Upon understanding, she lets out a loud scream.

Three months have passed since the credits rolled, and I find myself back in Jackson. The community is tirelessly rebuilding after the brutal onslaught of the infected, yet moving on seems a distant dream. Ellie, though physically healed, isn’t quite ready for release; she needs to have a heart-to-heart with Gail first. As expected, Ellie tries to cloak her emotions in sarcasm, but it’s as futile as ever against Gail, who shares the same skill. Ellie’s effort to rush through our therapy session and skirt over the unresolved tensions between us is equally fruitless. “The last moment doesn’t define the entire relationship,” she says, a statement that sounds logical but falls short of being fully convincing, especially when Gail reminds her of Joel’s admission that he had wronged her in some way. Ellie pretends ignorance, and Gail feigns understanding, although we both know there’s little to say or do about the unspoken elephant in the room.

Ellie departs and re-enters Joel’s house, a place that once was hers too. However, her former room now shows an empty bed without a mattress, symbolizing her departure (though it was only to the garage). Unsurprisingly, everything here stirs memories of Joel before she discovers the box on the vacant bed containing his watch and firearm. She adopts a determined gaze, then succumbs to tears upon seeing one of Joel’s coats. Overwhelmed by emotions, Ellie manages to conceal her tears just in time to descend the stairs for a conversation with Dina.

After Dina offers some cookies, her professional demeanor softens and she confides in Ellie that she’s been less than truthful about something important. She reveals that she knows the identities and whereabouts of Joel’s attackers, information she had kept hidden from her friend. However, Dina justifies her actions by explaining that with the town still mourning their losses, there was no time for action. Instead, she thought it wiser to let these enemies retreat to their base, a location easier to pinpoint than tracking them down. Finally, she shares what she knows, including their home city – Seattle, where they belong to the Washington Liberation Front (WLF), as indicated by the wolf’s head symbol Dina sketches for Ellie.

Initially, I approached Tommy, who not only empathized with my thirst for vengeance but also supported it. However, he advised me to handle this through the rightful path by discussing my concerns with the town council first. Moreover, he kindly guided me towards Joel’s grave, a place I plan to pay my respects at on my journey to Seattle.

The story subsequently introduces new characters, a previously unseen subculture – a band of nomads dressed in green and carrying bows, who possess the unique ability to communicate telepathically through whistling. This group is embarking on a journey to a new settlement, though they are merely hoping for it. The duo discussing the plan is a father and daughter named Constance, and in reference to a deceased prophet, their conversation ensues. When the girl mentions that she was told the prophet is immortal, her father explains, “She is, in a sense. A prophet isn’t magical; they are individuals who perceive truths hidden from others and share those truths, regardless of the consequences.” He then hands her a hammer, assuring her that the distance they will travel will offer added protection during their escape from the ongoing conflict. However, he remains skeptical about this assumption. A whistle signals an impending attack from the ominous foe known as “Wolves.

Prior to the town council meeting, Ellie practices with Jesse, who, much to her irritation, fails to promise his support for her idea of a revenge expedition to Seattle. At the meeting, Ellie and Dina struggle to hide their aggravation as a resident named Scott (Haig Sutherland, known as “Dull Scott” in the credits) speaks at length about corn before admitting he’s undecided about the Seattle issue. The moment is both amusing and revealing. Although avenging Joel is Ellie’s main priority, it’s challenging to justify that it benefits Jackson. This is essentially what another resident, Rachel (Erica Pappas), argues in an effort to prevent the council from sending a 16-strong war party to Seattle. With so much at stake, should we risk losing more lives, especially now? The discussion then becomes heated, particularly when Seth becomes aggressive about how “they’ll return because we didn’t make them pay.

After everyone else has finished their arguments, it falls to Ellie to present her closing remarks. From her notes, she concedes that this may not be the ideal moment for this project. However, she insists it’s not about seeking revenge; instead, it’s about upholding justice. For in Jackson, we are more than just a group of individuals coexisting – we embody trust and mutual reliance. This is her robust defense of her proposal, but unfortunately, it doesn’t sway the council.

In the subsequent baseball match, Tommy engages in conversation with Gail. They express mutual concerns about Ellie acting independently, with Tommy fearing she resembles Joel too much, and Gail doubting her due to “her deceitful nature.” To some extent, they are both accurate. However, one may question whether Gail is correct when she tells Tommy that “some people can’t be saved,” a sentiment that seems to linger in the series following Joel’s demise.

In the near future, I won’t receive an answer promptly. However, while waiting, I’ve been contemplating defying the council’s orders and venturing out on my own. But then, Dina unexpectedly appeared. To my surprise, she seems to be a seasoned traveler, ready to accompany me on this journey. With her, she carries a map, a list of essential supplies, and an eagerness that’s contagious. She also suggests we share my horse for our journey westward. There’s just one condition: I must swap my Chuck Taylors for some sturdy boots to protect my feet during our adventure.

Beyond the entrance, Ellie uncovers the true nature of the individual aiding Dina in provisions: it’s Seth. Ellie isn’t quick to forgive, and she doesn’t express it explicitly here, but it’s clear this act carries weight for her, given her reaction after shaking hands with Seth. With that, they venture forth into the vast expanse, first pausing to pay their respects at Joel’s last resting spot, which leaves Ellie deeply moved by emotion.

On their journey through the open landscapes, Ellie and Dina amuse themselves by compiling an alphabetical list of renowned musicians and then move on to recounting tales about their initial hunts. Their world mirrors ours in certain aspects but differs significantly in others. Due to personal reasons, Ellie is unable to disclose her own experiences. During a sudden storm, they seek shelter together under the same tent, and Dina expresses curiosity about Ellie’s opinion regarding her kissing skills. “You’re gay, I’m not,” Dina responds, to which Ellie suggests she return to Jesse. However, Dina reveals that she has already done so, but it seems she is holding back some truth from Ellie.

In a short while, they find themselves on the outskirts of Seattle, uncovering the grisly aftermath of the group from earlier in the episode – all dead, including young Constance. It appears their attacker aimed to eliminate their entire kind. This situation might not be as straightforward as storming into Seattle, eliminating Abby and the others, then leaving. However, Ellie masks any concern with tough remarks, some borrowed from the movies “Curtis and Viper”, others of her own making. Ellie doesn’t notice yet that Seattle’s Space Needle serves as a WLF observation post, nor does she hear the rumble of armored vehicles on the streets or the sound of marching boots. But this peaceful scene can’t last for much longer.

Infectious Bites

In this episode, we witness a shift from the old to the new norm. The previous one dismantled the existing order, and this one introduces the new scenario where Ellie and Dina find themselves navigating different factions around Seattle in their quest for Abby and her group. However, there’s a deeper layer to this storyline. In essence, Ellie’s plea before the council, though emotional and impactful, might not be as convincing. She successfully highlights the unique nature of Jackson as a community, but the benefits for Jackson in pursuing Joel’s killers are questionable. Even Seth’s argument that they’ll come back to cause more damage doesn’t ring true. It’s plausible to interpret Ellie’s actions, despite their justification, as fundamentally misguided. Perhaps all the events that unfold from this point are a chain reaction of errors stemming from this choice.

This episode offers a welcome break from the gloominess with its stunning landscapes. Since Jackson is approximately 870 miles from Seattle, it’s likely they spend quite some time in the wilderness. The duration of their journey seems to have strengthened Ellie and Dina’s relationship, but hasn’t seemed to divert them from their objective.

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2025-04-28 06:57