The Last Of Us Season 2, Episode 1 recap and reviews of Pedro Pascal's hit show

Dubai: Season 2 of The Last of Us kicks off with Joel doubling down on his version of events—spinning a tale Ellie clearly doesn’t buy, judging by her epic side-eye.

Meanwhile, in Salt Lake City, Abby (Kaitlyn Dever) has moved past mourning and straight into mission mode, vowing revenge for the Fireflies.

Flash forward five years: Joel and Ellie are living in Jackson, Wyoming, but all is not well.

Their bond is fraying—Joel throws himself into community work, while 19-year-old Ellie, emotionally distant, trains in combat. He seeks therapy from Gail (Catherine O’Hara), confessing he killed her husband, Eugene—a raw revelation that hints at his gnawing guilt.

During a patrol, Ellie and her friend Dina (Isabela Merced) face off with a new, smarter type of infected. Ellie is bitten but, once again, shows no symptoms, confirming her immunity. That night, at a New Year’s Eve party, Ellie and Dina kiss, only to be confronted by a hostile local. Joel steps in, sparking a public scuffle that deepens the tension between him and Ellie.

The episode ends with Abby and her crew watching Jackson from afar—setting the stage for a storm that's about to break.

The premiere has drawn widespread acclaim. On Rotten Tomatoes, it boasts a 100% approval rating based on 24 reviews, with an average score of 8.4/10. Critics praised Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey’s performances, Craig Mazin’s sharp direction, and the show's delicate balance of staying true to the game while forging new ground. The debut of a more intelligent infected and the early sparks between Ellie and Dina were spotlighted as standout elements.