6 Heart-Stopping Moments from The Last of Us Season 2 You Can’t Miss

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Warning: You’re approaching a narrative filled with spoilers from the second season of ‘The Last of Us’, available on HBO Max. If you haven’t yet watched up to this point, kindly reconsider your steps…

To put it candidly, I wasn’t entirely captivated by The Last of Us Season 2. From certain pacing problems to departures from the original storyline, to acting performances that fell short of my expectations, I found myself oscillating between appreciation and criticism for this 2025 television series. However, it’s not a situation that has left me upset because these things happen occasionally. Despite having numerous reservations about the second season, I can’t deny that Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann delivered some of the most outstanding TV moments of the year.

Instead of dwelling on its imperfections in The Last of Us Season 2, I’d rather highlight the beauty of some truly remarkable scenes. These moments were not only thrilling to an extreme degree but also powerfully emotional.

Joel’s Brutal And Heartbreaking Death

After experiencing “The Last of Us Part II” upon its release in 2020, I had a clear idea about where the TV series was heading even before Season 2 began. And indeed, it followed that path. The show took it a step further when Joel (Pedro Pascal) suffered a heart-wrenching death at Abby’s (Kaitlyn Dever) hands in the second episode itself.

Instead of asking “Was it pretty?”, you might say: “I couldn’t believe what I was seeing, much like in the game upon which the show is based. The gradual, meticulous, and gruesome execution of the series lead character left me with my hands covering my mouth. It wasn’t from shock, but admiration, as Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann had the audacity to kill off a beloved character at the very beginning of the season.

The Seattle Tunnel Sequence

One particularly thrilling scene from “The Last of Us” Season 2 that I enjoyed occurred in the fourth episode, titled “Day One.” In this episode, Ellie (played by Bella Ramsey) and Dina (portrayed by Isabela Merced) manage to evade a band of WLF soldiers by navigating the Seattle subway system, a place teeming with infected. Although the show slightly modified this sequence compared to the game, these variations were effective in this instance.

The intense shootouts, the stealth, Ellie disclosing her immunity after being injured during their getaway, combined perfectly to result in an exceptional reinterpretation of one of my beloved scenes from The Last of Us Part II, and also a can’t-miss TV experience. This episode was a significant milestone for this season, and I believe it was made so by this exhilarating and deeply emotional sequence of events.

Joel And Ellie’s Birthday Trip To The Museum

In the penultimate episode of “The Last of Us” Season 2, titled “The Price,” the narrative arc of Joel and Ellie reached both exhilarating peaks and harrowing valleys. To avoid rekindling distress by recalling one of the show’s most heart-wrenching deaths yet, I’d like to focus on a poignant moment: a museum trip planned for Ellie’s 16th birthday, several years in the past, shared between Joel and Ellie.

Initially exploring this section in The Last of Us Part II brought to mind the iconic giraffe scene from its prequel, but with a fresh 2020 twist. The stunning visuals, uncluttered design, Joel’s survival amidst Jackson, and the sheer delight were all spot-on. I must say, Ellie’s expression in the space helmet, as if she’s an astronaut, still resonates deeply then, and it does now. This segment truly embodies the game at its finest and epitomizes perfection…

Eugene Looking Out At The Lake And Mountains

While observing “The Price,” it was clear to me that a tragic event was imminent. This prediction proved accurate when Joel, on Ellie’s 19th birthday, encountered Eugene (Joe Pantoliano) during her first patrol. The moment Jackson’s injured resident revealed a bite mark, I sensed we were approaching one of the series’ trademark heart-wrenching scenes, and indeed, that was the case.

Joel’s choice to end Eugene’s life before the infection took hold was a tough but necessary action, yet the manner in which it was carried out left me disturbed. Despite yearning for one last chance to bid farewell to his wife, Eugene pleaded with Joel to delay the inevitable and not take his life in the wilderness. Regrettably, this request went unanswered. However, Eugene’s final moments were profoundly moving. A tranquility enveloped him as he accepted his fate, and the sight of the mountains and lake before him, along with the silence that followed the gunshot as the birds flew away, combined to create an indelible memory.

Ellie Taking A Boat To The Aquarium

In simpler terms, the climactic episode of The Last of Us Season 2 was packed with heart-pounding moments. One such moment occurred midway through when Ellie tried to get to the Seattle Aquarium to finally face off against Abby. Although they didn’t meet until later in the episode, a nerve-wracking boat ride scene resembled one of the game’s most chilling sequences that you might remember.

In “Convergence,” directed by Nina Lopez-Corrado, I was utterly captivated by how she breathed life into that pivotal scene. The oppressive darkness, the tempestuous weather, the colossal waves, and the raw emotion driving Ellie to her limits – it was all awe-inspiring and a testament to masterful storytelling. Just like the original level from The Last of Us Part II, this scene has left an indelible mark on me and I find myself still reflecting upon it long after watching.

Abby Walking Into Lumen Field In The Season 2 Finale

One unforgettable aspect of my initial playthrough of The Last of Us Part II was transitioning from controlling Ellie to Abby after their encounter in Seattle’s theater. I hadn’t anticipated that I would be taking on the role of a character who had been the primary adversary up until then, and this unexpected switch felt quite disconcerting. It seems that the series may continue down this path as it approaches The Last of Us Season 3.

Towards the end of “Convergence,” Abby stands up from the couch and makes her way through the upper corridors of Lumen Field, unveiling the extensive influence of the WLF in Seattle. This scene mirrored an earlier one where Abby exits a room and steps into the open air to behold a colossal gathering below. In that instant, only “Here we begin” crossed my mind.

You can continue enjoying Max with our plans starting at just $9.99 per month! After the final episode of The Last of Us Season 2, there’s even more to look forward to, including timeless HBO series, fresh hits, and an extensive collection of movies, making this a must-have subscription. Check out the deal now!

It’s uncertain when exactly The Last of Us will come back, but scenes such as this one (and others) will keep me entertained as I eagerly anticipate its return, whether that’s days, weeks, months, or even years.

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2025-06-01 23:08