The Last of Us has become one of today’s most popular franchises; not only has it dominated the world of video games, but its live-action series has also captivated millions of viewers. Among the reasons for the show’s success is its willingness to take risks and surprise fans by deviating from the source material.
Season 2 is a testament to that approach. It covers many essential plot points from the original PlayStation title, but also reinterprets key moments to enhance their emotional impact.
One such moment arrives in Episode 7, the season finale. It not only brings Ellie’s story to a temporary close but also portrays the tragic fate of one of the game’s most intriguing secondary characters.
Before going further, note that this article discusses crucial moments from the Naughty Dog game and HBO series.
Mel’s Death Hits Harder in Season 2
After forcing some answers out of Nora, Ellie (Bella Ramsey) tracks down members of Abby Anderson’s group. She eventually finds Owen and Mel and demands to know where the person responsible for Joel’s death is. When Owen refuses to cooperate and reaches for a weapon, Ellie draws her gun and shoots. Owen dies, and the bullet also wounds Mel.
In the 2020 game The Last of Us Part II, Mel dies after engaging Ellie in a short but intense fight. The horror comes when Ellie realizes her opponent was pregnant. But in the TV adaptation, the moment is rewritten to be even more tragic.
Rather than a threat, Mel is presented as an innocent bystander caught in the violence. As she lies dying, she uses her final moments to beg Ellie to save her unborn child and even gives her instructions to carry out a caesarean delivery. In the end, both mother and child perish.
The scene has sparked widespread discussion online. Many viewers agree that this version of Mel’s death feels even more tragic. Although some disliked that Ellie shows a flicker of compassion, the moment underscores a painful truth: there are no clear heroes or villains in the world of The Last of Us.
The Last of Us Could Run for Four Seasons
Despite some backlash surrounding certain creative decisions, The Last of Us remains a critical and commercial success. Season 3 will focus on Abby’s (Kaitlyn Dever) story arc, although no release date has been announced.
Will it be the final season? Probably not. According to co-creator Craig Mazin, there’s simply too much story left to wrap up. His hope is that HBO will greenlight a fourth season to properly conclude the narrative.
Do you think the show handled Mel’s story better than the game? Share your thoughts in the comments.