So we’ve lastly made it to Seattle correct, with Ellie and Dina getting began on their journey as they grow to be acquainted with town and get began on the insurmountable job of discovering Abby and her mates.
The episode builds its ambiance fantastically with photographs of town interspersed with hints of a rising hazard. Early on, Ellie and Dina discover proof of FEDRA troopers who’d killed one another in a shootout they usually begin to realise the Wolves are a a lot greater operation than they’d hoped, making their job considerably more durable.
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| “Day One” – THE LAST OF US. Pictured: Isabela Merced as Dina. Picture: Liane Hentscher/HBO ©2025 HBO |
One of the haunting moments is their discovery of Wolves strung up by ropes with their intestines hanging out, together with a logo that matches that worn by the massacred spiritual group they encountered beforehand. It’s a visceral and gory picture however a part of the rationale it labored so nicely within the recreation is as a result of we don’t know something about these folks at this second. The sport constructed a way of unease and concern, making you marvel what sort of folks might actually do that.
The present ruins that suspense and that component of the unknown by already giving us stable introductions to completely different sects of the Seraphites in each the third and fourth episodes. On this episode we get an introduction to Isaac in a pair scenes that give Jeffrey Wright extra to do than he ever actually acquired within the recreation and in a kind of scenes, we see him torturing a religious Seraphite for data.
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| “Day One” – THE LAST OF US. Pictured: Jeffrey Wright as Isaac. Picture: Liane Hentscher/HBO ©2025 HBO |
It’s a chilling look into Isaac’s character particularly when paired together with his homicide of his FEDRA squad within the opening scene. Although he does save the fresh-faced child within the squad, who goes on to grow to be one in all his staunchest long-time supporters within the current day storyline. It really works nicely to indicate Isaac as each ruthless however with a glimpse of some kind of ethical code but it surely feels oddly positioned within the season exterior of a option to arrange the factions and conflicts of Seattle for what I assume can be a giant Season 3 payoff.
Thankfully, it’s not so outstanding as to remove from Ellie’s private storyline on this episode. You possibly can really feel Joel haunting the narrative whereas she performs the guitar for Dina, which showcases how Bella Ramsey and Isabela Merced are each doing a wonderful job balancing the levity and the drama. Even in all of the darkness they’re heading in the direction of, you possibly can’t neglect they’re nonetheless simply teenage women.
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| “Day One” – THE LAST OF US. Pictured: Bella Ramsey as Ellie. Picture: Liane Hentscher/HBO ©2025 HBO |
I actually love the best way they did Ellie’s immunity reveal within the present. It modified issues up a bit kind the way it performed out within the recreation and it led to a extremely intense scene the place Dina confronts Ellie and her concern and her horror is palpable. There’s an important prolonged second when Ellie wakes up and you may’t see Dina’s face behind the glare of her mild which was an superior and atmospheric alternative.
The excessive feelings of the scene culminate in a second of intimacy that feels earned from all of the horrors this episode – and this season – has put them via, sending their relationship from energy to energy as they bask within the tender reprieve that their second of intimacy grants them. It’s a scene that speaks to the present’s strongest and most essential themes that can hopefully carry the characters via when issues get darker and bloodier – while you’re misplaced within the darkness, search for the sunshine.
What did you consider the episode? Pontificate within the feedback under!