The Last Of Us Season 2's Infected Attack Was Great, But That Bloater Scene Didn't Make Sense

The Last of Us season 2 episode 2's ending stays with the viewer long after its credits start rolling, but the Bloater action sequence from the same episode is equally forgettable for one reason. Staying true to its source material, The Last of Us season 2's episode 2 delivers one of the most tragic arcs in the series, where Joel is brutally murdered by Abby. The fact that Ellie helplessly watches him die without being able to do anything to save him makes the entire death sequence even more heartbreaking.

Apart from the final shot, though, The Last of Us season 2's episode 2 has several other intriguing plot developments and white-knuckling scenes. For instance, the entire sequence where an entire human settlement fights against an army of the infected leaves one on edge, perfectly capturing the unforgiving nature of the world the show's characters live in. Unfortunately, the action sequence is slightly ruined by a showdown between Tommy and a Bloater, preventing the episode from reaching its full potential.

Tommy's Bloater Showdown In Last Of Us Season 2 Has A Major Plot Armor Issue

A Lot Of Things About The Action Sequence Make Little Sense

The Bloater's appearance in The Last of Us season 2 episode 2's Jackson showdown scene is initially compelling because it effectively raises the stakes and intensifies the overarching sense of danger. As the Bloater marches forward without being affected by anyone's bullets, it becomes hard not to wonder how Tommy and the crew will take him down. However, things soon take a nonsensical turn when Tommy diverts the Bloater's attention onto himself to protect his wife and leads him to an alleyway to get him away from the crowd.

Given how the infected are driven solely by a primal urge to hunt, it seems silly that only the Bloater follows Tommy while none of the other infected humans try to get him. Given the extent of infection in a Bloater, it also makes little sense that it takes a personal grudge against Tommy when it seems to be incapable of experiencing any kind of human emotions or targeted grudges and intentions. After watching the scene, it is hard not to believe that the show gave Tommy massive plot armor, which significantly harms the overall sense of realism in the story.

For a TV show based on a high-stakes survival horror video game, such creative decisions can come with serious consequences and harm the overarching tension. Since season 1, The Last of Us has established that its world is unforgiving, and no character is safe against the mindless and brutal infected. Therefore, by giving one character a clear plot armor, The Last of Us risks destroying the unpredictability that has driven its story so far.

Last Of Us Season 2 Episode 2's Harrowing Ending Makes Up For The Flawed Action Scene

Joel's Death Was Necessary To Bring Back The Show's Realism

Fortunately, moments after the over-the-top Bloater showdown, The Last of Us season 2 retains its sense of realism and unpredictability by featuring Joel's death. Joel's shocking demise becomes a tragic reminder of how even the main characters in the series are not safe. Viewers familiar with the games might have foreseen Joel's death. Joel's sudden exit from the series is also upsetting, and I wish it had not happened so soon. However, it is an essential addition to The Last of Us season 2's story as it makes up for the other relatively flawed narrative elements and action scenes.