9 Shocking Changes in The Last of Us Season 2, Episode 4 Compared to the Game
Season 2 of HBO is shaking things up. But will fans accept these dramatic changes?
After an incredibly faithful first season, The Last of Us Season 2 has begun to take significant departures from the source material. Episode 4 of Season 2 continues the journey, but this time, the changes to The Last of Us Part II aren’t just small tweaks — they’re major shifts.
Episode 4 picks up right where Season 2, Episode 3 left off, with Ellie and Dina arriving in Seattle. The two set off through the city, coming face to face with the remnants of a Seraphite massacre and later being hunted by WLF forces and an Infected horde. But rather than following the original storyline from the game, HBO has opted to make some major adjustments. Here are the 9 biggest changes in this episode.
1. Ellie & Dina Aren’t Looking for Tommy — They’re Only After Abby
The biggest change in Episode 4 is why Ellie and Dina are in Seattle. In the game, Tommy goes after Abby first, and Ellie and Dina are sent to find Tommy. Along the way, they decide to take revenge on Abby. However, in the show, Tommy is still in Jackson, and Ellie and Dina aren’t sent to Seattle. Instead, they sneak off on their own to kill Abby. Their actions are now driven by clues about the whereabouts of the WLF, not Tommy.
2. They Cut Ellie & Dina’s Entire First Day in Seattle
In the game, Ellie’s first day in Seattle covers several hours of gameplay, but HBO has streamlined things. Instead of having a full day of exploration and combat, Ellie and Dina go straight to the satellite station — a place that marks the end of Day 1 in the game. In the original, they first visit a WLF-run hotel, discover an electric gate they need to open, and later explore a synagogue for fuel. This was all cut from the show for pacing.
3. Shimmer Doesn’t Die — But Her Fate Takes a Turn
In the game, Ellie and Dina’s horse, Shimmer, tragically dies after hitting a landmine and is shot by a WLF leader. In the show, however, Shimmer is left in an abandoned building by Ellie and Dina. While her death is avoided for now, her fate remains uncertain in this version.
4. Ellie Reveals Her Immunity Differently — No Spores in the Show
In The Last of Us Part II, Ellie’s immunity is revealed when she’s exposed to spores in a subway station, but since there are no spores in the HBO adaptation, the show takes a different route. In Episode 4, Ellie reveals her immunity to Dina after being bitten by an Infected. This change replaces the need for the spores and mask sequence from the game.
5. Dina’s Illness Doesn’t Force Her to Reveal Her Pregnancy
In the game, Dina gets sick during the subway escape, and it’s this illness that leads her to reveal that she’s pregnant. In the HBO show, Dina casually reveals her pregnancy after hearing about Ellie’s immunity, making it a more lighthearted and positive moment, as if she’s trying to ease Ellie’s burden.
6. Ellie’s Reaction to Dina’s Pregnancy Is Much Happier in the Show
When Dina reveals her pregnancy in the game, Ellie reacts with anger and frustration, seeing it as a burden. However, in the HBO series, Ellie is overjoyed by the news. She’s excited and even mentions wanting to be a “dad,” which significantly changes the emotional tone of the moment compared to the game.
7. Ellie Plays Guitar Early — And the Song Is Different
Ellie’s guitar scene is a staple of both the game and the show, but it plays out differently in Episode 4. In the show, Ellie and Dina visit a music store early in the episode, and Ellie finds a guitar there. In the game, the guitar scene happens later, after Ellie learns about Dina’s pregnancy. Additionally, while Ellie sings Pearl Jam’s “Future Days” in the game, she sings A-ha’s “Take on Me” in the show. This is likely due to the outbreak occurring in 2003, long before “Future Days” was released.
8. Lakehill Appears Sooner in the Show
Lakehill, a significant location in The Last of Us Part II, is mentioned much earlier in the HBO series than in the game. In Episode 4, Ellie and Dina hear about Lakehill from the radio, while in the game, they hear about Hillcrest and head there first. The show makes this change, impacting the pacing of the plot.
9. Isaac’s Backstory Is Expanded in the HBO Series
Finally, a major change concerns Isaac, the leader of the WLF. In the game, Isaac’s backstory is only revealed through dialogue and collectible notes, but in Episode 4 of the show, we get a flashback showing Isaac’s past as a FEDRA soldier. He chooses to kill his fellow soldiers and join the resistance, which leads him to become a key figure in the WLF. This backstory is completely new for the HBO series.
Episode 4 really takes a different turn from the game, and I’m not sure how I feel about it. The changes in Ellie and Dina’s motivations for going to Seattle make their actions feel more impulsive and less tied to Tommy’s storyline. Cutting out the exploration and combat sequences from the game seems like a missed opportunity to build tension and depth. I’m glad Shimmer’s death was avoided, but leaving her fate uncertain feels like a bit of a cop-out. Dina’s pregnancy reveal being more lighthearted in the show is an interesting choice, but does it take away from the gravity of the situation? Do you think these changes enhance the story or detract from the original’s impact? I’d love to hear your thoughts on how the show is handling these adaptations.
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The episode sounds like it’s trying to balance staying true to the game while carving its own path. I’m curious, though—why the decision to make Ellie and Dina sneak off to Seattle instead of following Tommy? It feels like it changes their motivations entirely. Also, cutting the exploration and combat from the game seems like a missed opportunity to deepen the tension. And what about Shimmer? Leaving her fate uncertain is a bold move—do you think she’ll make a return later? The change in Dina’s pregnancy reveal is interesting—it feels more positive, but does that take away from the emotional weight of the original scene? Overall, I’m torn about these changes—some feel refreshing, but others risk losing what made the game so impactful. What do you think—are these changes working for the story, or do they stray too far from what fans love?