The following content includes spoilers for both The Last of Us Season 2 and The Last of Us: Part II game.
The world of
The Last of Us
continues to grow larger in Season 2.Episode 2 suggests that the previous Firefly character, Abby,
Kaitlyn Dever
) has joined another group, known as the W.L.F. — or the Wolves, as referred to in this episode.
Episode 3
has now added yet another set of survivors into the storyline. Initially, they do not appear very significant with their robes, marked faces, and brief appearances. Nevertheless, for those who have experienced the two video games that served as inspiration for the HBO show, this realization may come swiftly. These characters, infected but surviving, hold much greater importance within the narrative than one might initially think. Their inclusion in the tale signifies an essential development.
The rivalry between Ellie
Bella Ramsey
and Abby will have to step aside for a much larger and more intricate battle.
for resources.
We’re discussing the Seraphites—referred to dismissively as “Scars” by the Wolves. These individuals belong to a sect established by an unnamed deceased Prophet. They make their initial appearance in what seems like a minor moment in Episode 3, moving between two vague locations and employing mysterious whistling signals to alert one another to potential threats en route. However, during their journey, which includes both male and female members along with kids, their group is ambushed and viciously slaughtered. Later on, when Ellie encounters them,
Dina (
Isabela Merced
)
find the bodies, they swiftly determine that these individuals were murdered by members of the W.L.F. — and guess what? They’re most likely correct. After all,
the
The Seraphites and the W.L.F. have been battling for dominance over Seattle.
Ever since FEDRA relinquished control of the city.
Who Are the Seraphites Featured in ‘The Last of Us’?
Originally confined to the Queen Anne neighborhood of Seattle,
The Seraphites are among numerous end-times sects that emerge globally following a disaster.
, according to what apocalyptic stories suggest. Guided by their Prophet, they established a settlement beyond the reach of FEDRA’s authority. Back then, this government-run military group held sway over Seattle and was far more concerned with internal unrest than with an external religious faction that didn’t pose a direct challenge to their dominance. Nevertheless, as the W.L.F., also known as the Washington Liberation Front, grew stronger, issues started cropping up.
Certainly, the Seraphites are fanatical believers who bear grudges against those who do not adhere to their religion. They often display the corpses of their victims by hanging them from trees around their settlement.
Their conflict with the W.L.F. revolves around something much more ordinary.
Rather than the eternal spirits of those imprisoned within Seattle, their true desire revolves around gaining access to provisions and asserting territorial dominance. Once the W.L.F. succeeded in expelling FEDRA from Seattle, they started managing resources with strict authority, ensuring that non-members were denied both sustenance and arms. Consequently, this led to increased xenophobia, transforming Seattle from a refuge into a place that rejected outsiders seeking asylum.
In this turmoil, the W.L.F., formerly a liberation movement, transformed into a complete military dictatorship under the leadership of Isaac Dixon.
Jeffrey Wright
They herded all the residents of Seattle into a single enclosure and expelled those who declined to become part of their group. To avoid revealing major plot points, let’s mention that they targeted the Seraphites as well, a faction that had been quite effective at persuading Seattle’s inhabitants to adopt their beliefs. Although we won’t delve deeply into potential spoilers, suffice it to say that during these events, the Seraphites’ leader met with death—a development that further exacerbated an already dire situation. Upon arriving in Washington, Ellie and Dina encounter a landscape where such circumstances have led to significant turmoil.
A ruthless dictatorship alongside an extremist faction are engaged in combat over dominion of the same metropolis.
Although one faction holds a clear military advantage, the opposing side boasts substantial numbers and includes zealous adherents.
In “The Last of Us,” Ellie Finds Herself Trapped Between the W.L.F. and the Seraphites.
In the meantime, we have Ellie and Dina, who are part of a group that has successfully managed to build something anew from the remnants of the previous era.
Jackson is a bustling city governed by the desires of its residents and warmly embraces visitors from outside.
Unlike numerous other groups that emerge within the game’s universe and storyline, these do not exhibit violent or authoritarian tendencies. Rather than concentrating solely on mere survival, they engage fully in various elements of everyday living, such as participating in therapeutic activities and celebrating events like New Year’s gatherings. They recognize that rebuilding society can only occur when individuals who have an abundance share resources with those lacking them.
When we look at
The Last of Us
In Season 2, centered around two young women harboring a vendetta against one another, it feels fitting for Ellie, who serves as our primary heroine, to find herself ensnared in a tumultuous scenario where realms vastly different from her usual surroundings intersect.
Ellie embodies a location where genuine democracy and unity truly thrive.
, thus making the Seraphites and the W.L.F. natural adversaries to her. Consequently, the narrative arc for this season revolves around a societal model that thrives as it combats two other models perpetually heading toward collapse.
How everything unfolds remains to be seen, and
There has been significant debate regarding what inspired that particular plotline.
. After all,
Neil Druckmann
One of the key figures involved in the game that inspired the series mentioned that he drew inspiration for the central conflict from the continuous Israeli-Palestinian war. This parallel is likely to evoke strong reactions from many viewers.
The Last of Us
The second season has shifted from portraying two troubled individuals to concentrating on two dysfunctional communities.
—and the one that genuinely flourished.
New episodes of
The Last of Us
The Season 2 debut airs on Sundays via HBO and Max.