HBO’s The Last of Us has come to another (temporary) end as the final episode of season two hits screens worldwide. It was a long time coming and a short time living, but that’s television, folks. The second season ended on a major cliffhanger, so for viewers not in the know, I’m here to let you know what happens next in The Last of Us season three.
Here are a couple of disclaimers:
- This information is dependent on the show following at least a rough alignment with the 2020 game, The Last of Us Part II
- This information is heavily loaded with spoilers, but that’s what you’ve probably come here for
Enjoy!
The Last of Us Season 2 Ending Explained
The Last of Us season two ended with a shock sequence that unfolded in quick time. We saw Ellie ‘accidentally’ gun down both Owen and Mel thanks to a bittersweet bullet from Ellie’s (note: Joel’s) revolver. The viewers learned that Mel was quite heavily pregnant at the time, a revelation that had extra spice given that Jesse had found out about Dina’s pregnancy mere minutes before.
As a shattered Ellie made her way back to the theatre where everyone was hunkering down, she prepared to reunite with Tommy, Jesse, and Dina, all to potentially get out of dodge (note: Seattle). They were planning their route back to Wyoming when Abby burst into the theatre, eliminating Jesse with a single shot and pinning Tommy to the floor.
The penny drops and Abby realises who this girl is who has been gunning down her friends one by one. She makes a bold statement, raises her gun, and fires, and we cut to black. Following a brief transition, we’re taken back to ‘Day One’ in Seattle, which indicates we’re now going to spend season three exploring Abby’s side of the story.
Now, for those who haven’t played The Last of Us Part II, allow me to explain. Abby’s story has been unfolding in parallel with Ellie’s story, but it’ll be another couple of years before you see it. The attack that Isaac’s WLF force led was against the ‘homeland’ of the Seraphites (note: Scars), and that’s where Abby is right up until she makes her way to the theatre (via the aquarium).
That brings us to where we are now – Ellie is facing down a dire situation, Tommy is at gunpoint, Jesse is dead, Dina is somewhere unknown, and Abby is about to claim revenge.
Or is she?
What Happens in The Last of Us Season 3?
Provided the third season of The Last of Us stays true to the game, Abby will be interrupted by Dina and Lev, the latter being the Seraphite that Abby rescues while exploring her story on the other side of Seattle. There will be a brawl, Tommy will catch a bullet to the head, and Ellie is given one final chance to abandon her quest and return to Wyoming.
That’s only because Abby has been turned away from her path of hatred, mostly by Lev and his situation (you’ll learn how that unravels in the show).
At that point, Ellie and Dina pack up and return to Jackson to retire to a farm and live out their days together while raising Jesse’s child. We learn that Tommy survived his gunshot to the head, but after everything, Ellie still isn’t done with Abby.
Now, as to what will happen in season three…
It has already been suggested that season three of The Last of Us will follow Abby’s story, and that’s easy to predict. In the game, we learn how Abby goes off on a mission for the WLF but is split from her crew and left fighting for survival against the Seraphites, raiders, infected, and all other enemies (including heights).
She ends up saving the lives of two Seraphites and goes on a journey to secure equipment to perform an intense medical procedure on one of them, and it turns out to be an adventure laden with betrayal, danger, and a fresh perspective on life. She turns her back on the WLF, becomes their number one target, and eventually escapes to discover her closest friends murdered.
That’s where it all comes full circle and she makes it to the theatre to find Ellie, Tommy, Dina, and Jesse.
It’s easy to see the showrunners longing things out and providing some flashback sequences to put more meat on the bones for the third season. There are flashback sequences in the game that show Abby’s relationship with her father, so there’s that to look forward to.
When is The Last of Us Season 3 Coming Out?
The Last of Us season three release date is yet to be confirmed, but it will likely arrive between January and April 2027. That’s based on the release schedule that gave us the first season in January 2023 and the second season in April 2025.
It’ll be a good while before we get any news of a release date, though. It could also be that the show is set to get more seasons beyond the third, so we can expect the story to be made a little chunkier in the years ahead.
What are you hoping HBO does with The Last of Us in the next season? Let me know on the Insider Gaming forum.
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Grant has been gaming for 30+ years and in the industry for 10+. You'll probably find him playing a post-apocalyptic game or an extraction shooter somewhere.
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