The Last of Us Season 2 Finale Ending Explained: One Shocking Death, One Killer’s Return, Season 3’s Premise, and more

The Last of Us season two finale brings a devastating climax to Ellie’s arc while setting the stage for an ambitious narrative shift in season three. With one major character dead, Ellie shaken, and Abby finally stepping into the spotlight, the episode leaves viewers with a haunting cliffhanger and plenty of questions about what comes next.

A Shocking Showdown at the Theater

Episode 7 picks up after the flashback in episode 6, with Ellie returning to the theater after killing Nora. There, she confesses to Dina Joel’s actions, who is shaken by the truth. “We need to go home,” Dina says, realizing the endless cycle of violence isn’t worth it.

As Ellie and Jesse set out to find Tommy, Jesse brings up Dina’s pregnancy and reflects on their strained relationship. They split up after a radio signal hints at Tommy’s location. Ellie, chasing clues that lead her to a “wheel” and “whale,” ends up in Seraphite territory after her boat capsizes.

She survives a brutal encounter, makes it to the aquarium, and kills Owen and, accidentally, a pregnant Mel. Ellie is shaken when Mel begs Ellie to take out her baby from her womb. But it's too late for any of that, and so Ellie goes back to the theater where she reunites with Jesse and Tommy.

She confesses what she did. “They made their choices,” Tommy says. “And Abby gets to live,” Ellie replies — just as Abby ambushes the group. The moment is brutal: Abby kills Jesse with a gunshot to the head, holds Tommy at gunpoint, and confronts Ellie. “I let you live and you wasted it,” she says, before the screen cuts to black.

Jesse’s Death and the fate of Tommy

Jesse is confirmed dead after Abby shoots him in the head during the ambush. Tommy, however, is alive but injured. Fans of the game know his fate remains precarious.

"Jesse dies in part because of Ellie — but Ellie doesn't pull the trigger, Abby does," showrunner Craig Mazin said. "[Dina] has gone in pursuit of Abby… So now the question is: Who does she blame?" (via People).

Does Ellie die?

The finale leaves Ellie’s fate uncertain. The final gunshot is followed by a cut to black, leaving fans wondering if Abby pulled the trigger — or hesitated. HBO has not confirmed her fate, preserving the tension for season three.

Where is Dina?

Dina is absent during the final confrontation at the theater. Her location remains unclear, though it’s implied she may have been resting or recovering elsewhere. Earlier in the episode, she gives Ellie a bracelet and expresses a desire to return to Jackson after learning about Joel’s past, suggesting she no longer believes in Ellie’s mission.

What Happens next: Seattle Day One

In a stunning closing scene, the show cuts to Abby waking up in the WLF stadium. The screen reads: “Seattle Day One.” This signals a narrative reset — one that mirrors the dual perspective of The Last of Us Part II video game. Season three will follow Abby’s story across the same timeline, offering her side of events and diving deeper into her relationship with the WLF.

"We entertain everything, but no [other endings are] coming to mind, because whatever we entertained didn't stick for very long,” co-creator Neil Druckmann said in a press conference. “This always felt like the natural end point for the season,” he added (via People).

What are the Changes made from The Last of Us Part 2 game?

While the theater confrontation closely mirrors the game, there are notable changes. Ellie’s path to the aquarium and Mel’s death also unfold with less clarity than in the source material. More precisely, in the game, Ellie kills Owen and then stabs Mel in the neck. In the show, she fires at Owen, and the bullet goes through him to hit her. This is a significant departure from the game.

Another change: In the game, Abby finds the theater using a map. In the show, no such map is shown, making her discovery a mystery — one likely addressed in future episodes.

The WLF, Isaac, and the Coming War

Meanwhile, the WLF prepares to attack the Seraphite island. Isaac expresses concern over Abby’s disappearance. “She’s f*cked off, Isaac, so maybe it wasn’t [her destiny],” one soldier says. This hints at Abby’s break from the group and her personal mission to find a missing friend, echoing her storyline from the game.

What’s next for The Last of Us?

HBO renewed The Last of Us for season three in April 2025. The network confirmed that the events of Part II will span multiple seasons. “We approached Season 2 with the goal of creating something we could be proud of. The end results have exceeded even our most ambitious goals,” Mazin said after the renewal (via Games Radar).

Catherine O’Hara, who joined the cast in season 2, told Variety in May that the next season will focus on Abby’s journey within the WLF and beyond. After seven emotionally charged episodes, The Last of Us season two ended on its most gut-wrenching note yet- As the screen cut to black, fans were left with heartbreak, suspense, and anticipation for what Abby’s side of the story will reveal. The next chapter promises to be just as bold — and just as brutal.

All the episodes of The Last of Us season two are now streaming on HBO and Max. If you want to refresh your memory, we have a recap of Episode 1, Episode 2, Episode 3, Episode 4, Episode 5, and Episode 6. You can check out the behind-the-scenes for the season 2 finale below: