Last Of Us Season 2's Ellie Update Debunks A Popular Theory With 1 Small Detail

Filming is well underway for HBO's The Last of Us season 2, leading viewers to speculate about how the sophomore outing will tackle its source material. Although not officially released, several Last of Us season 2 set photos completely debunk a major theory about the show's next chapter, all thanks to a small Ellie (Bella Ramsey) detail. In the images, Ramsey is joined by series newcomer Isabela Merced (Alien: Romulus), who plays fan-favorite character Dina. In addition to being a significant character in Naughty Dog's The Last of Us 2, Dina's relationship with Ellie is TLOU's most important dynamic.

The set photos of the Vancouver-based production feature Ellie and Dina traversing the overgrown streets of post-apocalyptic Seattle. Although Merced's Dina isn't wearing a game-accurate outfit, the character's personality shines through even in the few photos that were captured of the production. Ramsey's Ellie, meanwhile, is wearing one of Ellie's most recognizable outfits from The Last of Us Part 2 — a blue button-down shirt. While many soon-to-be Last of Us season 2 viewers have honed in on Ellie's longer hairstyle, a different character detail is much more revealing about the show's narrative trajectory.

Ellie’s Fern Tattoo Reveals That The Last Of Us Season 2 Will Follow The Game’s Structure

Ellie's Fern Tattoo Is Complete In The Set Photos

One of the most telling details in the set photos from The Last of Us season 2 is Ellie's fern tattoo. More specifically, the status of the tattoo says a lot about how the show will approach its source material's non-linear narrative. In The Last of Us Part 2, it's revealed that Ellie's ex-girlfriend, a tattooist named Cat, gave Ellie the fern and moth tattoo. A pretty substantial piece that covers most of Ellie's right forearm, the tattoo hides the character's bite mark — and, as a result, the truth about Ellie's immunity.

In flashbacks set just after the ending of The Last of Us (and season 1), Ellie just uses a bandage to conceal the bite. As the flashbacks move forward in The Last of Us' timeline, Ellie's tattoo can be seen in different stages of completion. For example, when Ellie learns the truth about what Joel did at the Firefly hospital, the fern tattoo's leaves aren't completely inked. A fun detail, the tattoo's appearance also ties into the narrative continuity. If the HBO adaptation planned to tell Ellie and Joel's story chronologically, the fern tattoo wouldn't be finished.

TLOU Season 2 Will Use Flashbacks Instead Of Telling The Story Chronologically

The Last Of Us Part 2 Jumped Around In Time To Tell A Compelling Narrative

Although hard to see in its entirety, the fern tattoo on Bella Ramsey's arm appears to be the finalized version of Ellie's ink, suggesting that The Last of Us season 2 uses flashbacks and time jumps. At the beginning of the game, the present-set storyline sees a then-stranger named Abby brutally killing Joel to avenge her father — the doctor who was collateral in Joel's rampage to save Ellie. At the time of Joel's death, Ellie hasn't quite forgiven him, even though she wants to, so the flashbacks help fill in the nuance of Joel and Ellie's relationship.

This Reveal Has Huge Implications For Joel’s Story In The Last Of Us Season 2

A Chronological Telling Of The Story Could Have Delayed Joel's Death Until The Last Of Us Season 3

The look of Ellie's fern tattoo is yet another confirmation that Last of Us season 2 covers that Joel moment. When the show's co-creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann revealed that they already had plans for The Last of Us seasons 3 and 4, there was some hopeful speculation that the series' sophomore outing would rework the way Joel's (Pedro Pascal) story unfolds, saving his death for a later season of the show. So far, all clues have pointed toward The Last of Us season 2 faithfully adapting The Last of Us Part 2's story structure.