In the Season 2 premiere of THE LAST OF US, viewers are reintroduced to Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) — five years after the events of Season 1. They are now living in Jackson, Wyoming. The town is a safe and growing community, run by Joel’s brother Tommy (Gabriel Luna) and his wife Maria (Rutina Wesley). Joel’s job has changed to include more housework and construction. He is also worried about how quickly new people are being accepted into the community.
Ellie, who is now 19 years old, is becoming an adult. She’s working hard at training, keeping an eye on the dangerous wilderness outside the town’s walls, and making new connections. One of them ends up being more important than she thought it would be.
The Last of Us Season 2: Ellie and Dina
Early in the episode, her close friend Dina (Isabela Merced) shows up at Ellie’s room to get her for patrol duty. Ellie, who’s cleaning her gun and listening to music, is visibly flustered when Dina helps her with her holster. Their chemistry is subtle but undeniable. During their ride, the girls talk about the upcoming New Year’s Eve dance, Jesse’s (Young Mazino) on-and-off relationship with Dina, and Ellie’s secret crush. Though Ellie doesn’t name names, the way she looks at Dina tells the audience everything.
Their patrol takes a dangerous turn when they find evidence of infected activity near an old grocery store. Inside, Ellie handles a terrifying encounter with a smarter-than-usual infected — one that bites her before she kills it. Because of her immunity, Ellie doesn’t panic. Instead, she cuts the bite from her abdomen and keeps the incident to herself.
New Year’s Eve Dance: Ellie and Dina’s First Kiss
Late that night, the much-anticipated New Year’s Eve dance brings everyone in town together for a rare moment of happiness. Ellie shows up a little late and is still feeling upset. Joel sees her ahead of time and tries to get to know her. As a peace offering, he offers to fix her guitar. She doesn’t show much emotion about it, hiding how upset she is inside.
At the dance, Dina is joyful and full of energy, dancing with friends until she spots Ellie and pulls her onto the floor. What starts as playful quickly turns tender. Dina spins Ellie gently, and the mood shifts. Ellie, unsure and overwhelmed, mentions how the guys are all staring at Dina. In response, Dina leans in and tells her, “I think they should be terrified of you.” And then, they kiss — a soft, emotional moment that breaks through the darkness of their world.
Unfortunately, the moment is interrupted. A man named Seth (played by Robert John Burke) sees the kiss and hurls a homophobic insult at them. Before Ellie can react, Joel steps in and shoves Seth. While Joel is trying to protect Ellie, she doesn’t appreciate it. Her emotions overflow. “What is wrong with you? I don’t need your f—king help,” she snaps at him, before storming out.
The tension carries through to the end of the episode. When Ellie returns home, she sees Joel sitting silently outside with his guitar. She says nothing and walks past him into the house. It’s a heavy scene filled with unspoken emotion, as their once-close bond continues to shift.
The Significance of Ellie and Dina’s Kiss
The kiss between Ellie and Dina marks a major turning point for Ellie. While The Last of Us: Left Behind (adapted in Season 1, Episode 7) already revealed Ellie’s sexuality, this is the first time we see her share that vulnerability in a moment of joy rather than tragedy. Co-creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann stayed close to the original video game scene from The Last of Us Part II, recreating it with great care. Bella Ramsey and Isabela Merced deliver their performances almost word-for-word and shot-for-shot from the game.
Bella Ramsey later shared how meaningful the moment was, describing it as both “tender” and “complicated.” Ellie is still unsure of how Dina feels, and whether this kiss is just a playful moment or something deeper. The actors were supported by an intimacy coordinator on set to ensure the scene felt safe and respectful. Isabela Merced echoed this, saying the energy on set that day was “magical” and deeply emotional.
The dance scene is a rare instance of joy in a series dominated by violence and survival. The warm lighting, music, and laughter set the tone for a moment that’s both sweet and brave. For Ellie, who has faced loss after loss, this kiss with Dina represents hope — and the courage to open her heart again.
Fans of the game will also notice the inclusion of the same music from The Last of Us Part II, played by the band Crooked Still. In the show, the group is named Brittany and the Jug Boys, bringing a small but meaningful continuity to the adaptation.
Ellie and Dina’s first kiss isn’t just a fan-favorite moment — it’s a carefully crafted scene that underscores what The Last of Us does best: showing that even in a world full of danger and death, there’s still space for humanity, love, and connection.
Stay tuned to tvacute.com for more updates, insights, and breakdowns on The Last of Us Season 2 and beyond.
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