Why The Last Of Us Season 2 Finale Changed This Key Sequence From The Game

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The TV series The Last of Us from HBO recently wrapped up its second season, leaving fans excitedly anticipating its return, despite it being some time away. As they patiently wait, showrunner and writer Craig Mazin has shared fresh perspectives on a pivotal scene from the finale’s end, revealing the reasons behind a significant alteration made by the team. Be warned: This discussion includes major spoilers.

In the Season 2 finale, I found myself locked in a nerve-wracking confrontation with Owen and Mel, my eyes fixed on Abby. When Owen pulled a gun, I returned fire, striking him fatally. The chaos that ensued left me devastated when I accidentally took Mel’s life. As her life ebbed away, she revealed she was carrying a child and begged me to extract the baby from her womb. Panicking, given my lack of medical expertise, I couldn’t bring myself to do it.

In the game, Ellie initially clashes with both Owen and Mel, but their encounter doesn’t go as expected. Ellie exchanges blows with Owen momentarily before fatally shooting him. Afterward, Ellie engages in a physical altercation with Mel, eventually managing to stab her with a knife in the neck, resulting in her death. Later on, it is revealed that Mel was pregnant.

As a gamer, I’ve noticed in some games that size discrepancies can sometimes make combat sequences feel unrealistic. Just like how Ramsey being significantly smaller than Lord might make hand-to-hand fights between Ellie and Owen appear less convincing to viewers, as Mazin mentioned to The Hollywood Reporter.

Mazin stated that Ellie isn’t physically equipped to harm Owen, given her comparison to Bella and Spencer Lord – he stands at 6’4″ and is quite intimidating. A physical confrontation wouldn’t have been favorable for Ellie, as she doesn’t intend to hurt them. Instead, her aim is to eliminate Abby.

Mazin mentioned that he remembered discussing with Neil Druckmann about how the sequence in the game was incredibly intense and emotionally charged. However, Mazin suggested a way to make it even more disturbing.

In that critical moment, as Mel, who’s a doctor, realizes she might be dying, there’s a glimmer of hope for saving her child, according to Mazin. This scenario aligns with our theme: parents going to great lengths to rescue their children. Unfortunately, Ellie in this situation must face the disastrous effects of her endeavors and an overwhelming sense of fear.

Bella realizes the full extent of her current mistake, and it’s deeply painful that this setback isn’t resolved. Unfortunately, she’s not aware that her struggle continues.

The team made more than just this one alteration for the television series; they opted to spare Alice the dog from being killed by Ellie, since the Season 2 finale was already overflowing with violence.

1. A third season of “The Last of Us” is on its way, though we don’t know when it will be released just yet. Creator Neil Druckmann has expressed interest in a fourth season, but after the series ends, he plans to step away from adapting video games.

2. The third installment of “The Last of Us” television series is upcoming, though its release date remains undisclosed at this time. Neil Druckmann hopes to create a fourth season too, but following the show’s conclusion, he intends to cease his work on video game adaptations.

3. In the near future, we can expect a third season of “The Last of Us” – though the exact release date is still unconfirmed. Creator Neil Druckmann has ambitions for a fourth season, but after the series wraps up, he plans to retire from adapting video games.

4. Coming soon: Season 3 of “The Last of Us,” although we don’t have a specific release date yet. Creator Neil Druckmann is looking forward to making a fourth season, but once the show finishes, he wants to stop working on adapting video games.

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2025-05-30 18:10