Ellie's Divisive "Dad" Line In The Last Of Us Makes A Lot Of Sense Based On Season 2's Character Changes

HBO's series The Last of Us is over halfway through its second season, and there have already been several major moments, including a great one with the reveal of Dina's pregnancy and Ellie's surprising reaction to the news. While season 1 followed Joel and Ellie across the post-apocalyptic United States, The Last of Us season 2 has introduced several new characters, including Dina, played by Isabela Merced. Five years after Joel saved Ellie by killing all the Fireflies, their relationship had become estranged, and Ellie was unable to reconcile with him before his death.

Joel's murder by Abby is the major catalyst for The Last of Us season 2, since it has led Ellie down a path of revenge. After setting out from Jackson in the previous episode, The Last of Us season 2, episode 4, follows Ellie and Dina through their first day in Seattle, where nothing goes as expected. The two face a horde of infected and fight off a group of WLF soldiers, but the most memorable moment in the episode is when the two women solidify their feelings for each other and share plans for a future together.

Ellie's "I'm Gonna Be A Dad" Line Marks A Difference With Dina's Pregnancy Reveal In The Last Of Us Part 2 Game

Ellie's Reaction Is Much More Positive In The Show

The Last of Us' subway scene and Ellie getting bitten to save Dina is a very intense sequence to watch, but the aftermath is perhaps even more satisfying. Ellie finally reveals her immunity to Dina, who then sits up all night watching her to make sure Ellie does not turn into a member of the infected. In the morning, Ellie wakes up and is still herself, prompting Dina to share her pregnancy news. The two of them then have sex for the first time, showing the true extent of their mutual feelings.

While their relationship has been unfolding slowly since the New Year's Eve kiss, the moment makes it very clear that their feelings are strong. What's more, after seeing the various pregnancy tests that Dina has taken, Ellie declares, "I'm gonna be a dad" with a smile on her face. The moment is played very tenderly and slightly comically by both Bella Ramsey and Isabela Merced, but it works perfectly. Ellie's reaction does seem to fit with who her character is in the show, but it also marks a stark difference to how the scene plays out in the game.

Instead of responding with delight over the potential to start a family with Dina, in The Last of Us Part II, Ellie was incredibly angry about Dina keeping the secret from her. In the game, the two had already confirmed their feelings and begun a relationship earlier, so rather than creating a moment where they confessed their love, that scene in the game saw Ellie seriously reflecting on what Dina's pregnancy would mean. Ellie understood that Dina's pregnancy could put them both in danger and meant that they needed to be much more careful.

Ellie's "Dad" Line Fits Very Well With Her Relationship With Dina In The Last Of Us Season 2

Their Relationship Has Remained Light Despite Their Dark Circumstances

Ellie's "dad" line has received mixed reactions from fans, both because some people see it as somewhat cringey and because of how much it changes the moment in the game. In fairness, yes, the line is a bit silly, but that is sort of the point. The Last of Us is a pretty bleak show, and Ellie has been through a lot, but Dina is the one bright spot that the character has. Ellie is still incredibly upset over Joel's death and is still driven by revenge, though Dina is the only person who can save Ellie from some of that grief.

The two characters undeniably get themselves into serious, dangerous situations, but they always manage to make their way out alive. Additionally, Ellie in the show is simply a slightly more light-hearted character, so blowing up at Dina would have been out of character. The two joke around and like to have fun, so even though Dina's pregnancy is very serious, it makes sense for Ellie to react in a comedic manner.

In fact, it feels very fitting that the show's version of Ellie would take such a serious, life-changing moment and make it into a hilariously ridiculous attempt at a dad joke. This reaction also works to Dina's benefit, too, as pregnancy is a huge and stressful life event, but Ellie takes that and makes it into something funny and light, even if only momentarily. Though The Last of Us changes Dina's pregnancy announcement and Ellie's reaction, the moment adds a touch of levity to what is often very heavy, and it works in the series' favor.