The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 3 Ending Explained: Ellie’s Vengeful Journey Begins

After two heartbreakingly brutal episodes, The Last of Us Season 2 plunges even deeper into emotional chaos with Episode 3.

Viewers barely had time to recover from Joel’s devastating death before being thrown headfirst into Ellie’s searing grief and burning need for justice.

Buckle up, because things are only getting darker and far more dangerous.

What Happens To Ellie After Joel’s Death?

Episode 3 wastes no time thrusting us back into Jackson’s bleak atmosphere, immediately following Joel’s horrific murder. Joel’s body lies cold among others lost during the infected attack, while Tommy, shattered and silent, mourns his brother.

The watch – a symbol of everything Joel loved – is clutched tenderly in Tommy’s hand as he bids his last goodbye. Meanwhile, Ellie battles her own private hell. Waking up injured in the hospital, the flashbacks of Joel’s final moments torment her relentlessly.

Her screams echo the unbearable weight of helplessness she felt while witnessing his murder. The pain is raw, the trauma is fresh, and no sedative is strong enough to dull the fury now brewing inside her.

What Secret Does Dina Reveal To Ellie?

Three months slip by, and while Jackson shows signs of rebuilding, Ellie remains stuck in a cycle of grief. After a bittersweet hospital discharge, she finds herself lost in Joel’s house, surrounded by his lingering presence.

Just when Ellie tries to gather the pieces of her shattered world, Dina drops a bombshell that ignites a new fire inside her. Sitting across from Ellie with a batch of homemade cookies, Dina confesses that she withheld information about Joel’s killers.

The truth? Joel’s murderers are part of the Washington Liberation Front (WLF), led by the ruthless Abby. Their destination? Seattle.

Ellie, seething with rage but sharpened by resolve, realizes that every second lost in mourning has cost her precious ground. The race for revenge is no longer just emotional – it’s a mission etched into her very soul.

Does Ellie Get Support From Jackson?

Determined but not reckless, Ellie knows she can’t do this alone. She needs allies, supplies, and a plan. She seeks out Tommy, desperate for backup.

Tommy promises to raise the issue before Jackson’s council, but his hope wavers. Despite Ellie’s heartfelt plea – telling the council that this isn’t about revenge, but about justice – they ultimately vote against sending their best fighters into the chaos of Seattle.

Jackson chooses safety over solidarity, and once again, Ellie finds herself standing alone against the world. Yet, she’s not as alone as she thinks.

How Does Episode 3 Of The Last of Us Season 2 End?

Just as the weight of loneliness begins to crush Ellie, a knock on her door shifts her entire path. It’s Dina – not to stop her, but to stand beside her.

Together, they plot their dangerous journey to Seattle, aware that every step forward invites new nightmares. Armed with a sniper rifle from Seth and a blueprint sketched in urgency, they sneak out through the East Gate.

The woods become their haunting threshold into enemy territory. Rain pours down; dead Seraphite bodies rot along the path, signaling the bloody road ahead. Meanwhile, the WLF prowls nearby, hunting unseen threats.

Ellie and Dina, brave but heartbreakingly outnumbered, march straight into the heart of darkness. The air tightens, the shadows deepen, and you can almost hear the slow beat of war drums in the distance.

Final Thoughts

Episode 3 of The Last of Us Season 2 isn’t just a bridge between heartbreak and revenge – it’s the quiet before the inevitable storm.

Every moment drips with tension, every glance feels like a goodbye. As Ellie and Dina step closer to Seattle, the emotional stakes soar sky-high. Get ready, because the real reckoning is about to begin.

About The Last of Us 2

The second season of The Last of Us, premiering on HBO on April 13, 2025, continues the post-apocalyptic story based on Naughty Dog’s video game franchise.

Set five years after the first season, Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) now live in Jackson, Wyoming, alongside Tommy (Gabriel Luna), Dina (Isabela Merced), and Jesse (Young Mazino).

Renewed shortly after its January 2023 debut, the season adapts The Last of Us Part II, with co-creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann joined by writers Halley Gross and Bo Shim. Filmed in British Columbia (February–August 2024), the seven-episode season features directing by Druckmann, Mazin, Peter Hoar, Kate Herron, Nina Lopez-Corrado, Mark Mylod, and Stephen Williams. Gustavo Santaolalla returns as composer.