The Final of Us – By the Valley – Assessment: The Storm Hits

The place the premiere episode of The Final of Us’ sophomore season was the calm earlier than the storm, this episode is the storm itself, with each a literal storm, a horde of zombies and the end result of Abby’s revenge all colliding. It makes for a tense hour of tv that flies by and doesn’t pull any of its punches. 

Whereas the motion was largely centered on the fortification of Jackson because the horde descendants, the emotion of the episode is targeting Abby’s anger and ache as she stumbles by likelihood upon Joel and Dina as she’s escaping a horde sleeping slightly below the floor of the snow. It was a suitably chilling sequence to see the snow beginning to shift and transfer like an ocean because the contaminated started to stir. 

I favored that quite a lot of the main focus of this episode was on the Salt Lake Crew. Seeing how we’re in all probability not going to see a lot of them till Season 3, it was good to get a stronger concept of their characters on this episode, particularly for viewers who haven’t performed the sport. Through the scene the place Abby confronts Joel, Spencer Lord and Ariela Barer do an important job of conveying fear and horror respectively as Owen and Mel, whereas Danny Ramirez and Tati Gabrielle as Manny and Nora appear much more grim as they watch Abby unleash her ache. 

The star of the episode nonetheless was Kaitlyn Dever who’s proving she’s a grasp of feelings. It’s nearly irritating that we in all probability received’t get to see on this season the toll torturing Joel takes on her. Nevertheless it is sensible for the viewer that whereas we’re following Ellie’s a part of the journey, all we do keep in mind is the picture of Abby pummeling Joel uncontrollably. Joel is a beloved character each to followers of the present and followers of the sport so having that emotional connection to Ellie by means of his loss will make the conflicts of later episodes sing earlier than we begin to peel again Abby’s layers in a while. 

“Through the Valley” – THE LAST OF US. Pictured: Pedro Pascal as Joel. Picture: Liane Hentscher/HBO ©2025 HBO

There have been a few decisions that I didn’t actually assume ought to have been on this episode although, and doubtless ought to have been saved for later. The primary is the dream sequence. There appears to have been a concerted effort to flesh out Abby’s desires, as they have been a weaker a part of the sport however it nonetheless felt hole, misplaced, and a bit on the nostril. 

The second was Abby’s monologue. It appears to have been put in to offer viewers a clearer concept of Abby’s motivations however I believe the reveal of the physician Joel shot being her dad ought to have been saved again as a thriller for the third season. Her simply saying it in the midst of a monologue meant it felt prefer it misplaced a few of its emotional weight and resonance.
It additionally means we’re being instructed so much about Abby as a substitute of getting it proven to the viewer naturally. 

“Through the Valley” – THE LAST OF US. Pictured: Kaitlyn Dever as Abby. Picture: Liane Hentscher/HBO ©2025 HBO

There was additionally an fascinating option to swap round all of the Jackson Crew pairings on this episode. Dina will get positioned with Joel in a transfer that reveals Joel’s paternalistic aspect as he goes together with Abby as a way to shield her. It additionally offers Dina extra private causes to accompany Ellie to Seattle. Not solely has Dina straight learnt concerning the W.L.F patches, she has additionally heard their names which helps to fill a possible plot gap created by the elimination of sport character Leah who had named images of the Salt Lake Crew. 

The shake-up additionally means Tommy bought left behind at Jackson to cope with the contaminated risk. He has a tense showdown with a Bloater and the destruction of Jackson means quite a lot of rebuilding work will must be carried out to assist shield the civilians from future threats. By not having him current for Joel’s torture or dying, there may be potential for him feeling guilt for not being there to avoid wasting him which might add new dimensions to his storyline and his relationship with different characters like Ellie and Maria. 

“Through the Valley” – THE LAST OF US. Pictured: Bella Ramsey as Ellie. Picture: Liane Hentscher/HBO ©2025 HBO

Lastly, whereas Ellie didn’t have a lot to do that episode save for driving on patrol with Jesse through the storm, Bella Ramsey put within the efficiency of a lifetime as she discovered Joel damaged and bleeding on the ground. Her screams have been visceral and I’m actually glad they saved the second from the sport the place the whole lot turns muffled and you may solely hear the high-pitched ringing like a bomb’s gone off. And for Ellie, it has. 

That second the place she drags herself inch by inch to Joel’s lifeless physique and hugs it was one of the crucial heart-wrenching and effectively performed game-to-show adjustments they’ve performed to this point. It bodily damage to observe, particularly with the transition into Ashley Johnson’s (the voice of Ellie within the video games) cowl of ‘Through the Valley’. For sport followers, it’s a deliberate and refined alternative that drives house the devastation and leaves us ready apprehensively for the subsequent cycle on this story of violence. 

What did you consider the episode? Pontificate within the feedback under!