Breaking Down the Brutal Ending of Episode 5 of The Last of Us Season 2

Warning: Spoilers for Episode 5 of The Last of Us Season 2 ahead.
Since Abby (Kaitlyn Dever) brutally killed Joel (Pedro Pascal) in the second episode of The Last of Us Season 2, Ellie (Bella Ramsey) has been determined to avenge his death. However, progress has been slow in the past few episodes as Ellie and Dina (Isabela Merced) navigated through Seattle, evading threats and locating Abby’s group.
In Episode 4, Ellie’s uncharacteristic reaction to Dina’s pregnancy led some viewers to question her demeanor. In Episode 5, Ellie’s vindictive side resurfaces as she confronts Nora (Tati Gabrielle), a member of Abby’s crew, in a hospital basement filled with spores. Despite Nora’s defiance, Ellie brutally attacks her to extract Abby’s whereabouts.
This pivotal moment showcases Ellie’s descent into a cycle of violence and guilt, highlighting the theme of revenge’s destructive nature in The Last of Us Season 2.