The Last of Us HBO series often takes advantage of its premium cable privilege to show the truly gruesome parts of the post-apocalyptic world. From Season 1’s portrayal of David, a cannibalistic cult leader, to Season 2 showing Isaac torturing a naked Seraphite with a hot pan and Abby getting brutal revenge on Joel, human cruelty and gore are never shied away from.
But the Season 2 finale reached a new level of bleak storytelling — not with a gorefest or a zombie takedown. Instead, a desperate final act of pleading for mercy instantly becomes the most devastating change from the games.
