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Episode 3 “The Path” Details

• Available On: HBO
• Public Release Date: April 27, 2025
• Director(s): Peter Hoar
• Writer(s): Craig Mazin

Episode 3 “The Path” Recap (With Spoilers)

After three months of recovery, Jackson is starting to look normal again, and Ellie is finally out of the hospital after her injuries. Naturally, this means her goal becomes avenging Joel, but initially, she doesn’t know where to start. However, with Dina giving up Abby’s name, her friends’ names, and the organization they are part of, Ellie has her targets and their group, and with learning they are in Seattle, where she has to go.

Originally, she was hoping the town would support a skilled group of 16 to head out to execute Joel’s killers, but with an 8-3 vote against this, Ellie thought she would be on her own. But Dina volunteers and is off with Ellie to Seattle, which is a strangely easy journey. Mind you, they encounter a religious sect that was massacred, kids and all, and while no one has heard of the Washington Liberation Front, the group Abby is part of, they aren’t some small-time crew. They have military vehicles, equipment, and seem to be well-trained soldiers.

So, for Ellie and Dina, and their approximately two weeks of supplies, they face an uphill battle.

Collected Quote(s)

• Your final moment with someone doesn’t define your whole time with them. — Ellie

Review and Commentary

On The Fence

• The Difference Between Playing A Game And Watching It [77/100]

Overall

Our Overall Rating [77/100]

With this being a transition episode focused on taking a beat after losing Joel, admittedly, it was boring. Don’t get me wrong, Ellie and Dina are cute, Seth helping them to avenge Joel was nice, and being introduced to two groups around Seattle laid the foundation for what’s to come. But it was all very boring to watch.

However, that’s the problem with shows where there is a constant expectation of action. It makes when things get slow, it really hits hard. In the case of The Last of Us, what doesn’t help is that, as much as we’re a fan of Bella Ramsey, she needs someone strong to play off of. Isabela Merced plays a wonderful love interest, but she isn’t the type who can push Ramsey the way she needs.

So I can only hope with Jeffrey Wright appearing in the next episode, paired with the seeds planted of what the WLF can do, and this religious cult on the outskirts, things will pick up and what Ramsey and Merced may not be able to deliver on their own, is compensated by the new blood and the return to form with clickers, once again, being an active threat.

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