The season finale of The Last of Us reminds you why many people admire the game and the show. It's a terrific 50 minutes of your life filled with unpredictable choices, stunning visuals, and drama that pierces something deep within you. As viewers, we all have a habit of guessing what will happen next. When the story unfolds as per your predictions, you sigh with disappointment. There is no room for surprises. But Episode 7 constantly surprises you with its decisions. When Dina gives Ellie her good luck bracelet, you cockily declare that Dina, by the episode's end, will meet her maker. When Ellie is captured by a group of Seraphites, you wonder if this "magical child" will meet the revered leader. Like Ellie navigating stormy waters in a motorboat, you try to traverse the story with extreme confidence, only to be hit by a big wave that leaves you stunned. But The Last of Us works not only because of the twists but because of its smart, empathetic characters. Jesse correctly guesses that Dina is pregnant. He also returns with Tommy to rescue Ellie, thinking she might need help. Jesse understands what Ellie is going through and why she needs her revenge. But he also wants to protect Dina - he was raised to put others first.
It's not that Ellie doesn't think about Dina. She agrees to return home for both their safety and the baby's well-being, realizing that this might be the right thing to do. After explaining to Dina what Joel did at the hospital and why Abby wanted him dead, they decide to abandon their mission. And if Ellie hadn't come across that giant wheel, she would have gone back to Jackson. However, it's not easy for her to forget the horrific sight of Joel's brutal torture and murder. The desire for revenge resurfaces, leading her to the aquarium, where she confronts Abby's allies, Owen and Mel. What happens next further demonstrates that The Last of Us can be shocking and emotionally potent. It can rip your heart out at any moment. That cut to black after that gunshot left me both intrigued and deeply unsettled. The suspense had me screaming, "Tell me what happens next!" For those who have been following my episodic reviews, you might recall that I started playing the game but lost motivation when my save files got corrupted. Now, I think I will start playing again since waiting several months for the next season feels unbearable.
Final Score- [9/10]