Many were astonished when The Last of Us Season 2 finale ended. Just as Abby raised her gun at Ellie (after taking out Jesse), the screen cut to black. No blood, no follow-up. It’s just a hard stop.
So, did Ellie die? Get shot? That’s the question haunting viewers. But if you’ve played The Last of Us Part II game or just know the show’s DNA, you know Ellie’s story is far from over. That is to say: she is very much alive.
HBO’s The Last of Us has never shied away from shocking character deaths (RIP Joel), but the showrunners also know the power of tension. That nebulous fade to black is a narrative technique, not just for suspense. We are obviously (and consciously) prepared not to be aware of Ellie’s future.
Still, all signs point one way: Ellie surely lives, albeit not without wounds…emotional and physical.
What happens to Ellie at the end of The Last of Us Season 2?
The closing sequence of The Last of Us Season 2, Episode 7 depends on a harsh decision and a scary display of control. Ellie gives up her gun after Abby kills Jesse and keeps Tommy at gunpoint. The two women, filled with rage and grief, confront each other.
Ellie has just killed Abby’s crew (Nora, Owen, Mel), and Abby obviously knows. She levels her gun at Ellie after saying, “I let you live. And you wasted it.” Then: blackout.
Fans are left hanging while the show quickly starts Abby’s Seattle side of things with “Day One.” The episode is meant to cause stress. Given the video game, it’s obvious Ellie will survive and that they will meet again in the following season.
What Happens to Ellie in the Game?
For fans of The Last of Us Part II, the end of Season 2 is a true remake of a crucial scene in the game. But what happens after the screen goes black? *SPOILERS AHEAD* Ellie survives this encounter because Tommy steps in, chaos ensues, and Ellie runs for her life.
In the game, Abby has Lev with her (who hasn’t been on the show yet). Lev is the reason that after a brutal clash with Ellie and Dina, that Abby let’s both of them live. Abby then warns Ellie that she never wants to see her again before walking away.
Abby, Dina, and Tommy then return to Jackson. Months pass and Dina has her and Jesse’s child. Ellie and Dina are living together. But what Abby did still haunts Ellie. So despite how much she loves Dina and the life they’ve built together, she heads back out to find Abby and kill her.
