HBO has shared the first images from THE LAST OF US Season 2, Episode 3 (Directed by Peter Hoar & Written by Craig Mazin), giving fans a look at what’s coming next after one of the biggest moments in the series so far. The show recently shocked viewers when Joel, played by Pedro Pascal, was brutally killed by Abby, played by Kaitlyn Dever, right in front of Ellie (played by Bella Ramsey). Now, these new pictures hint at how everyone is coping with his death and what lies ahead.
As of now, the official title for The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 3 has yet to be revealed. However, in recent searches, three potential titles have surfaced:
“Something’s Got a Hold on Me”
“True Faith”
“The Path”
Fans, what do you think? Which one of these titles do you believe would be the best fit for the upcoming episode?
Episode 3 will be the first full episode after Joel’s death, so it’s set to be an emotional one. Even though Abby is not shown in the new images, the impact of her actions can be felt everywhere. The characters are now picking up the pieces, and it looks like some major decisions are about to be made.
In one of the photos, we see Tommy (played by Gabriel Luna) in a room filled with bodies covered by sheets. These are likely casualties from the attack on Jackson, and sadly, Joel’s body could be among them. As the last episode showed, Ellie, Jesse, and Dina were bringing Joel’s body back to Jackson, so his final resting place could be here.
The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 2: Abby’s Revenge Explained!
Another powerful image shows Ellie kneeling by a grave in a warm, open field. This is a big change from the snowy setting we’ve seen in the first two episodes. It also reveals that there has been a small time jump since Joel’s death. Even with time passing, Ellie’s face shows she hasn’t moved on from the pain. Her determination hints that she is still set on finding Abby and getting justice for Joel.
We also get a look at Ellie returning to Joel’s house. Inside, she searches through his belongings and finds one of his guns. This moment is emotional, as it reminds Ellie (and viewers) of the journey she is about to take. It’s not just about survival anymore — it’s about revenge.
Dina (played by Isabela Merced) appears with Ellie in one of the images, also inside Joel’s house. Fans of the video game will recognize this scene as an important one. It’s here that Ellie and Dina discuss their plans to leave Jackson and go after Abby. Their bond grows stronger as they make this life-changing decision together.
We also see Dina at the stables in Jackson, wearing a rainbow-printed jacket. Fans who have played the game will recognize this outfit from scenes later in Seattle. This suggests that Dina and Ellie are getting ready to leave Jackson soon. However, another image shows Tommy at the stables too, raising questions about what’s next for him.
In the video game, Tommy originally plans to go after Abby himself but is talked out of it by his wife, Maria (played by Rutina Wesley). Eventually, he leaves secretly during the night. Whether the show will follow this exactly or change things a little remains to be seen. Either way, Tommy’s story will definitely be important in the upcoming episodes.
Another set of photos shows a meeting at Jackson’s council. Maria and Tommy are seen presiding over the gathering, which could be about how the town plans to respond to the attack and Joel’s death. Interestingly, Jesse (played by Young Mazino) is also shown as part of the council. This highlights how Jesse is becoming a young leader in the community. In Episode 2, Ellie even joked that Jesse would run Jackson one day — and maybe that day is closer than we thought.
THE LAST OF US SEASON 2 EPISODE 3 IMAGES
THE LAST OF US SEASON 2 EPISODE 3 TRAILER
The trailer for Episode 3 hints that the next episode will focus heavily on emotions rather than action. Most of the sneak peek shows an emotional Ellie struggling to deal with Joel’s death. There are signs that we might even see flashbacks or hallucinations, showing how deeply she is hurting.
Dina’s role will likely grow even more important, too. In the trailer, Dina tells Ellie, “I know their names, and I know where they’re from,” suggesting that she’s ready to help Ellie track down Abby. Their journey together will be a major part of the story moving forward.
Tommy’s emotional state will also be explored. He was devastated by the loss of his brother, and it seems like we’ll see him wrestle with the decision of whether to stay and protect Jackson or leave to seek revenge.
We also get a glimpse of the WLF soldiers (Washington Liberation Front) in the trailer. This hints that the conflict between Ellie and Abby’s group will start to build very soon.
Episode 3 may not have as much action as the first two episodes of Season 2, but it looks like it will be key in setting up the rest of the season. With Joel gone, Ellie’s journey changes completely. She is no longer just trying to survive — she is now driven by grief, anger, and a need for justice.
Season 2 of The Last of Us will only have seven episodes in total, which is two fewer than Season 1. However, the story from the video game “The Last of Us Part II” is much bigger, so it will be split across two seasons. Some rumors even suggest that the story might continue into a potential Season 4.
After Episode 3, there will be just four episodes left before the season finale on May 25. Every episode will now feel even more important as Ellie’s path becomes clearer and more dangerous.
When can you watch it? Episode 3 will air on HBO on Monday, 28 April, at 9 PM ET. It comes out on Sunday, 27 April at 6 p.m. PT for people on the West Coast. At 2 AM BST on Monday in the UK, it will be out. At 3 AM CEST in Europe, it will be out.
With a new chapter about to unfold, and Ellie’s mission just beginning, Episode 3 promises to be an emotional and unforgettable hour of television.
Stay tuned — visit tvacute.com soon for more updates, previews, and recaps for The Last of Us!
