The Last Of Us Season 2 Episode 3

The Last of Us: Episode 3 Significantly Changes the Game's Events. Why Take This Approach?

Spoilers ahead.

The third episode begins with Tommy bidding farewell to his brother, Joel. Next, we see Ellie screaming in the hospital, recalling the tragic events of that night.

First, we learn that the town of Jackson has a hospital! We already knew it had a psychologist, and now we get to see more of the everyday life of people in this new world. As the episode progresses, we learn even more.

Here, there’s a clear difference in narrative structure between the series and the game.

In the video game version

Abby kills Joel without revealing the reason, while Ellie watches helplessly as he is brutally beaten to death, with Tommy witnessing as well. Right after, they return to town (there’s no infected invasion in this version). Ellie enters Joel's house and sees his belongings in an emotionally charged scene that takes place while we control the protagonist.

This difference highlights one of the key distinctions between the two mediums: the game excels in creating an emotionally charged space—a house that embodies the "ghost" of a beloved character who has died.

The game allows as much time as we want to explore and decide when to leave the house, while the series can only offer fleeting glimpses—although brief moments can still have their own advantages.

Later, we learn that Tommy has already left to find his brother’s killers—he tells his wife, Maria, that Ellie will follow him and asks her to stop her before she leaves. However, Maria does not stop her. Although she doesn't provide a team to help with the revenge mission, she tells Ellie to find Tommy and bring him back.

In the game, Maria decides to send two young girls (Ellie and Dina) alone, without knowing what they might face, to kill Abby's group. The series' approach here is much more convincing, adding welcome expansions to the world.

In the series, the town is in bad shape after the big battle from the previous episode—people are trying to repair the damage, and many have died, making it harder to send a team for revenge.

However, there is another important detail: the game continues right after Joel's murder, while the series jumps three months ahead—perhaps the most puzzling choice by the creators.

Ellie talks to a psychologist before leaving the hospital—somewhat odd, considering the three-month stay since we didn’t see any serious injuries or similar reasons.

We see flowers and notes at Joel’s house; Ellie goes inside and finds a box containing his watch and gun—clearly left by Tommy for her to take. These are the methods the series uses to develop characters and their relationships, as it cannot utilize the interactive elements of the game. For example, Ellie takes the gun but barely notices the watch, hinting at her internal state: revenge is her priority.

The series also shows how Ellie cries when touching Joel's jacket but immediately changes her demeanor when someone else sees her—putting on a “mask” and maintaining a specific image, breaking only when unseen.

Dina’s Introduction

In the game, Ellie and Dina are already a couple. Dina wasn’t present during Joel’s murder but clearly states she will follow Ellie on her journey without hesitation. In the new version, Dina and Ellie haven’t grown very close after their New Year’s kiss (in the game, they had kissed before and slept together). Interestingly, in the episode, Dina indirectly implies she’s straight, although she continues to flirt with Ellie—it remains to be seen how the writers will handle their relationship.

Dina claims to know the names of Joel's killers and that they are in Seattle. They ask Tommy to go after them, but he insists on handling it officially. Ellie prepares a speech to convince the town council to send a team, not for revenge but for justice.

Worldbuilding Differences

The series excels in portraying the town as a more realistic place, unlike the game, where it feels like only the main characters exist. In the council scene, we see 16 members voting on Ellie’s proposal, while also discussing everyday issues like chickens and corn.

After hearing from others about Joel’s importance and the need to protect the town’s safety, Ellie addresses the council, but her argument does not convince them, and they vote against sending a team. The series effectively uses the infected invasion as a narrative device, giving the town a more realistic and grounded feel.

Ellie decides to leave secretly at night with Dina, assisted by Seth—reflecting his realistic character, as he wouldn’t easily let outsiders harm one of their own. This expansion of secondary characters mirrors the game’s approach, where even minor enemies had names and backstories.

Journey Differences

In the series, Ellie and Dina suddenly find themselves in Seattle, while the game emphasizes the journey itself—exploring abandoned houses, gathering supplies, and having meaningful conversations that build their relationship. This sense of distance and atmosphere is somewhat lost in the show.

Additionally, the atmosphere is lighter in the series due to the three-month gap, contrasting with the game’s immediate, raw sense of anger and grief after Joel’s death.

The episode ends by revealing that Abby’s group is not just a handful of people but a true army with vehicles and weapons—making Ellie and Dina's mission appear doomed from the start.

There are also hints at future conflicts, including the portrayal of enigmatic groups that could feel more like comic book villains than grounded characters, risking a shift from the tone of the first season.

The series attempts to utilize the unique strengths of television while adapting the game’s story and expanding the world where possible.