The final episode of The Last of Us season two has brought forth a mix of reactions from fans and critics, with one of the most contentious moments being the revelation of Joel and Ellie’s final conversation on his back porch. This scene was originally withheld from players in the game until the very end, but it has been revealed in the TV show before the halfway mark.
According to series director Neil Druckmann, the decision to include this scene early was made due to concerns that it wouldn’t work if viewers had to wait years for its payoff. However, some argue that this move undermines the narrative tension of the story and fundamentally alters the original material’s structure.
This scene serves as a microcosm for one of the biggest issues with the season: the lack of subtext in the writing and excessive expositional dumping. By removing every divisive element from the source material, the show has resulted in a less bold and thought-provoking take on Ellie and Abby’s revenge tours.
The Last of Us Part II was divisive but unflinching, and its deliberate narrative structure is now being unraveled without consideration for how it could impact the story. With one episode left until the season’s over, fans are bracing themselves for what’s to come after seeing the finale’s preview.
Source: https://kotaku.com/last-of-us-season-2-porch-scene-episode-6-joel-ellie-1851781725