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.

• Ellie’s decisions feel less justified than Joel’s, lacking the emotional maturity to anchor her actions.

• Key relationships, like Ellie and Tommy’s, needed more development.

• 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.”

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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 [email protected] or DM us on socials—we’d love to feature your thoughts in our next episode!

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