Last of Us Season 2 Finale Featured a Scene Cut from the Game

by

Summary

  • A major narrative deviation in The Last of Us season 2 finale was originally a scene cut from the game.
  • The season 2 finale saw a decline in viewership, drawing mixed reactions from fans.
  • The show’s diversion from the games’ original narratives has sparked strong reactions, possibly affecting viewer engagement.

In a fascinating twist, HBO’s “The Last of Us” co-creator, Neil Druckmann, disclosed that a significant narrative departure featured in the season two finale was initially a scene that didn’t make it into the game. The second season of this critically acclaimed series, developed by Naughty Dog, concluded on May 25, compressing Ellie’s (Bella Ramsay) first three days in Seattle into only seven episodes. Throughout its run, “The Last of Us” has incorporated numerous alterations to the original game narrative, with mixed reactions from fans regarding the success of these modifications.

The latest installment of HBO’s post-apocalyptic drama series has garnered mixed responses from fans of the show and its origin, as the finale of The Last of Us season 2 experienced a substantial drop in viewership. With a third season already being made, additional scenes for The Last of Us Part 2 might extend Ellie and Abby’s (Kaitlyn Dever) narrative into a fourth season.

At a press event for the finale of The Last of Us season 2, Druckmann disclosed that a scene showing Ellie stranded on a Seraphite island and almost hanged was omitted from The Last of Us Part 2 due to production time constraints. While Ellie’s encounter with the cult doesn’t seem significant in relation to the episode or the season as a whole, it represents one of the most substantial alterations in The Last of Us season 2. Interestingly, this scene closely mirrors a crucial moment in the game, but it is Abby who narrowly avoids a Seraphite noose instead of Ellie. Towards the end of the finale, a faint mark around Abby’s neck suggests that the events depicted in the game could still transpire; however, we’ll have to wait until the next season to discover the truth.

The Last of Us Season 2 Makes Major Changes to the Game’s Story

Initially, Ellie’s journey to Seraphite Island, which almost resulted in her being lynched, was a part of the game but was removed due to production time constraints. More recently, we’ve had a series of distressing events, including that sequence, Alice’s fate, and Mel’s story. During our discussion, we agreed that perhaps one too many troubling incidents were included in the narrative.

Neil Druckmann’s rationale behind eliminating a specific scene from their game mirrors Craig Mazin’s reasoning for deleting Alice’s demise in The Last of Us season 2. Notably, the show has been acclaimed for deviating from the initial storylines, especially during its first season.

In summary, the second season of “The Last of Us” was a combination of positive and negative elements that sparked intense responses and bewilderment among dedicated fans. Even those who played the original games might require an explanation of the ending of season 2 to fully grasp the modifications before season 3 is released. As Abby’s perspective takes center stage in the upcoming season, there remains potential for Ellie’s peculiar encounter with the Seraphites to bear fruit. If the showrunners, Mazin and Druckmann, consider viewer feedback from season 2 and build on what was successful in season 1, they may be able to regain viewers, much like Abby won over skeptics of “The Last of Us Part 2.”

Read More

2025-05-28 21:24