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The Last of Us season 2 episode 2 continues the narrative of HBO’s adaptation with significant developments. Titled Through the Valley, the episode aired on April 20, 2025, and centers on the aftermath of the Jackson attack and the fallout of Joel’s fate. Featuring performances by Bella Ramsey (Ellie), Pedro Pascal (Joel), Kaitlyn Dever (Abby), and others, the episode advances the emotional stakes and introduces new narrative elements diverging from the game.
Disclaimer: This article contains major spoilers for The Last of Us season 2 episode 2. Reader’s discretion is advised.
While The Last of Us season 2 episode 2’s main events drew attention, numerous easter eggs embedded throughout reference key elements from The Last of Us Part II game. These nods range from subtle visual cues to re-creations of specific game moments.
These references enrich the show by paying homage to the original narrative while adding new interpretations that suit the television format. These moments are not just fan service, they help build character backstories, deepen emotional resonance, and maintain fidelity to the game world.
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All the easter eggs fans missed in The Last of Us season 2 episode 2
Abby’s hospital scene: The Last of Us season 2 episode 2 begins with Abby walking down a hospital hallway, an event mirrored from the game but shown earlier in the series. In the game, Abby experiences recurring nightmares, which the show visualizes in this scene.
Mel’s F.O.B. reference: Mel mentions a Forward Operating Base (F.O.B.), which aligns with locations used by the Washington Liberation Front (WLF) in the game.
Patrol changes: Jesse wakes Ellie for patrol, and their conversation is a near shot-for-shot match from the game. However, patrol pairings are altered, Ellie is with Jesse, and Joel is with Dina. In the game, Ellie and Dina patrol together.
Ellie’s door drawing: A sketch of a tree on Ellie’s door matches one seen in her in-game sketchbook.
Earl’s name: Tommy mentions a man named Earl, a nod to a worker from the hydroelectric dam in the first game.
Seth’s apology: Maria makes Ellie listen to Seth’s apology in The Last of Us season 2 episode 2, an event that also occurs in the game, though the timeline is different.
Eugene’s grow room: Ellie and Jesse hide in Eugene’s grow room. In the game, Ellie and Dina share a moment there instead. Ellie finds Eugene’s Firefly dog tag, just as in the game.
Frozen infected: Abby encounters a frozen infected army after sliding down a mountain, similar to a scene in the game.
Fence sequence: Abby is trapped under a fence as the infected army closes in, and Joel rescues her, another recreation from the game.
Joel’s recurring line: Joel asks Abby if she can run, a line he previously says to his daughter Sarah in the pilot episode.
Flamethrower use: During Jackson’s siege, Tommy uses a flamethrower against a Bloater. This replicates a combat method from The Last of Us Part I.
Trained dogs: Jackson’s dogs are trained to attack infected, similar to how the WLF uses dogs in the game.
Joel’s death variations: Some sequences in The Last of Us season 2 episode 2 replicate the game, Abby shooting Joel in the knee, while others are new. Abby reveals her motive directly, which doesn’t occur in the game. Joel’s struggle and Ellie’s crawl to him are exclusive to the series.
Ashley Johnson’s cover: The Last of Us season 2 episode 2 ends with Ashley Johnson singing Through the Valley. She voiced Ellie in the games and originally performed the song in the game’s 2016 reveal trailer. This detail creates a layered farewell as her voice plays during Joel’s final moments.
The Last of Us season 2 episode 2 recap
The Last of Us season 2 episode 2 begins with Abby dreaming of the Firefly hospital, where Joel killed her father. In her subconscious, Abby encounters a haunting vision warning her not to revisit the trauma, a visual representation of her inner turmoil. When she wakes, she is at a cabin outside Jackson, where she plans to carry out her mission.
Back in Jackson, Ellie wakes up to a hangover and a tense conversation with Jesse about her strained relationship with Joel. After briefly interacting with Seth, who awkwardly apologizes, Ellie and Jesse leave for patrol. Meanwhile, Dina and Joel are already on their route. A snowstorm forces Ellie and Jesse to take refuge in an old hideout once used by Eugene, where Ellie discovers his Firefly dog tag.
Elsewhere, Abby stumbles across the infected army, frozen beneath the snow. As they awaken and begin to swarm, she is cornered and ultimately rescued by Joel and Dina. She lures them back to her lodge, where she reveals her identity and kills Joel after a violent confrontation. This scene is preceded by a monologue in which Abby tells Joel that he killed her father and never even looked at him.
Simultaneously, the infected breach Jackson’s borders through underground fungal networks. Tommy fends off a Bloater with a flamethrower during the town’s defense. After the assault, Ellie, Jesse, and Dina retrieve Joel’s body. Ellie is left grieving, vowing vengeance for what happened.
The Last of Us season 2 episode 2 contains layered callbacks and changes that connect to the video game’s storyline. These details offer continuity for fans while advancing the series narrative. The inclusion of Ashley Johnson’s performance and shifts in character dynamics mark pivotal storytelling moments for the season.
