May 27, 2025
In this episode of Challenge Accepted, Frank and Thomas unpack the intense and divisive finale of The Last of Us Season 2. With Ellie and Abby's storylines colliding once more, the co-hosts share honest reactions on the pacing, character arcs, and controversial narrative choices. From missing emotional beats to major changes from the game, this episode offers a deep dive into what worked, what fell short, and what it all means for Season 3. They also reflect on the show's broader themes of revenge, survival, and morality, and how they compare to Joel’s legacy. Plus, they tease upcoming reviews of Ironheart and Galaxy Quest.
Timestamps and Topics:
00:00:00 Welcome
back to Challenge Accepted
00:00:22 First
impressions on the finale and frustrations with
pacing
00:01:15 Viewer
disconnect with Abby and Ellie’s arcs
00:02:07 Trusting
the showrunners into Season 3
00:03:09 Why
seven episodes wasn’t enough
00:04:13 Ellie’s
rage vs. likability
00:05:27 Changes
from the game’s story
00:07:19
Favorite new character and wasted potential
00:08:21 The
boat sequence and story logic issues
00:10:00 Ellie’s
revenge path and moral cost
00:12:37
Comparing Ellie’s choices to Joel’s
00:15:27
Maturity, trauma, and how the writing shaped Ellie
00:17:13 Why
Joel’s absence broke the show’s emotional core
00:19:03 Season
comparisons to Game of Thrones and Andor
00:20:56
Favorite quiet moments: bookstore and community talk
00:23:06 Seattle
setting and visuals
00:24:55 Bella
Ramsey’s performance vs. the writing
00:25:49 The
lost potential of Tommy’s character
00:27:57 Frank
and Thomas’ hopes for Season 3
00:28:40 Concern
over the series’ future
00:30:11 Why a
Bill and Frank-style episode was needed
00:31:24
Dreaming of a “day in the life” episode in Jackson
00:32:07 Final
thoughts and season wrap-up
00:32:30 What’s
next: Ironheart and Galaxy Quest
00:33:52 Summer
movie season preview and send-off
Key Takeaways:
-
The finale was emotionally uneven, especially for non-gamers unfamiliar with Abby’s arc.
-
The seven-episode structure left major character arcs feeling rushed or incomplete.
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Ellie’s decisions feel less justified than Joel’s, lacking the emotional maturity to anchor her actions.
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Key relationships, like Ellie and Tommy’s, needed more development.
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Seattle’s visual portrayal and Bella Ramsey’s acting were highlights, despite the script’s weaknesses.
-
The show missed opportunities to slow down and reflect, such as a standalone character episode.
-
Season 3’s success may hinge on how it handles Abby and reconnects with the show’s emotional roots.
Quotes:
“They’re asking us to trust them for Season 3—but they didn’t earn that trust this time.”
“Joel was hollow after his loss. Ellie should be too, but the show never truly commits to that.”
“You can’t expect the audience to love Abby if you give them no reason to care.”
“Bella Ramsey crushed it—some of the dialog just didn’t do her justice.”
“Seattle felt alive, dangerous, and immersive. That’s one thing they got right.”
Call to Action:
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Listener Questions:
Have thoughts on The Last of
Us finale? Want to share your predictions for Season 3? Email
us at challengeacceptedgfx@gmail.com or DM us on
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Apple Podcast Tags:
The Last of Us, Challenge Accepted, HBO, video game adaptation,
Ellie, Abby, season finale review, TV recap, geek culture,
post-apocalyptic drama, Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey, Naughty Dog,
Ironheart, Galaxy Quest