'The Last of Us' Season 2 Premiere Breakdown: Joel’s Lies, Ellie’s Heartbreak, and the Fireflies’ Revenge

The second season of 'The Last of Us' starts with a big revelation—Joel's decision to save Ellie and lie about it has caused deep problems. The episode, "Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch," (also called "Future Days") dives into the consequences of Joel’s choice.

This season isn’t just about survival anymore. It’s about trust, guilt, and how Joel and Ellie’s relationship starts to fall apart. The Fireflies still remember what happened in Salt Lake City, and they’re not ready to forgive and forget.

The Prologues: Fireflies’ Vengeance and Joel’s Lie

The episode opens with two important flashbacks.

1. Abby and the Fireflies’ Oath of Revenge

We are introduced to Abby (Kaitlyn Dever), a surviving member of the Fireflies, standing at the graves of her fallen friends. The atmosphere is tense and filled with anger. Her group vows to kill Joel, and Abby chillingly responds: "Slowly."

This isn’t just about seeking justice—it’s deeply personal. 'The Last of Us' loves exploring complex moral issues, so this conflict will be anything but straightforward.

2. Joel’s Lie to Ellie

The second flashback returns to the end of Season 1. Ellie makes Joel promise that the Fireflies stopped searching for a cure. The lie hangs heavily in the air, causing unspoken tension.

This moment is crucial for Season 2. Joel not only saved Ellie—he damaged their relationship in the process.

Five Years Later: Life in Jackson, But at What Cost?

Five years later, we find Joel and Ellie in Jackson, Wyoming—a thriving survivor community led by Tommy and Maria.

The Illusion of Peace

Jackson seems like a paradise in the apocalypse:

- Electricity, farming, and music show that rebuilding is possible.

- Patrols and defenses keep the infected away.

But there are underlying issues that people can’t ignore.

Joel and Ellie: A Fractured Bond

- Joel immerses himself in repairs, avoiding the truth.

- Ellie challenges herself with tough patrols, pushing her limits.

- Their interactions are cold and distant—something is definitely broken between them.

Is Joel’s lie the only reason, or is there something else affecting them?

New Faces in Jackson: Dina, Gail, and the Weight of the Past

Dina (Isabela Merced): Ellie’s New Flame?

Dina is confident, fearless, and clearly interested in Ellie. They connect quickly with playful conversations and daring actions during patrols.

A memorable moment is their kiss at the New Year’s party, a nod to "Left Behind." Unfortunately, it ends badly when someone interrupts, and Ellie ends up lashing out at Joel instead of thanking him.

Gail (Catherine O’Hara): Joel’s Reluctant Therapist

Gail offers an intriguing dynamic—she helps Joel deal with his guilt, but she is also the widow of Eugene, a man Joel killed.

Their therapy session is among the episode’s highlights:

- Gail urges Joel to confront his past actions.

- Joel nearly opens up, but then he shuts down, saying, "I saved her," before leaving abruptly.

For Joel, this is more than just therapy—it’s a moment of reckoning.

The Supermarket Horror: A New Kind of Infected

'The Last of Us' wouldn’t be itself without terrifying encounters with the infected.

The Grocery Store Nightmare

Ellie and Dina decide to explore a ruined supermarket against orders, which leads to discoveries:

- A dead bear and mutilated bodies suggest something new is hunting humans.

- A new type of infected is revealed—a girl with antler-like growths who acts in a strategic manner.

Ellie gets bitten, but being immune, she hides the wound by cutting around the mark.

Why This Matters

- The infected are changing—it’s no longer just clickers and runners.

- The world outside is more dangerous—and Jackson’s walls may not protect them forever.

The Fireflies Are Coming… And So Is Something Worse

Abby’s Arrival

The episode closes with Abby and her armed Firefly group nearing Jackson. Revenge is on the horizon.

The Creeping Threat Beneath Jackson

Earlier, Dina mentions a broken pipe clogged with roots. Later, we see these roots moving.

This hints at a major problem—cordyceps is spreading underground.

Final Thoughts: A Season of Reckoning

The premiere sets up three main conflicts:

1. 'Joel vs. His Lies'—Will he ever tell Ellie the truth?

2. 'Ellie vs. Herself'—Her immunity, her anger, and her feelings for Dina.

3. 'Jackson vs. the Fireflies (and the Fungus)'—A threat is coming from both the inside and outside.