Warning: This article contains spoilers for The Last of Us season 2, episode 3, and The Last of Us Part II.
The Last of Us season 2 has surprisingly introduced the Seraphites much earlier than I anticipated, yet it still manages to create a suspenseful atmosphere surrounding Ellie’s initial encounter with this ominous religious cult. While the community in Jackson is debating whether to send a 16-member revenge squad after the individuals responsible for Joel’s demise, The Last of Us season 2, episode 3, titled “The Path,” transitions to a secluded forest area just outside of Seattle. In this setting, we are introduced to a sinister cult whose followers bear distinctive scars on their faces, hinting at their dark rituals.
Ellie’s first meeting with the Seraphites in The Last of Us Part II remains one of the game’s most shocking moments. With the television adaptation unveiling the Seraphites before Ellie even arrives in Seattle, it raises questions about whether the show can replicate the intense shock value found in the game. Nevertheless, the portrayal of the Seraphites thus far suggests that the series can still preserve the chilling intensity of the moment when Ellie first encounters the cult, ensuring that viewers will be captivated by this unfolding storyline.
The Early Introduction of the Seraphites in The Last Of Us Season 2 Surprised Me
The TV Show Unveils the Seraphites Before Ellie’s Arrival in Seattle
As an enthusiastic admirer of the video game, I was thrilled to see the Seraphites brought to life in a live-action format within the TV series. The trailers featured captivating glimpses of the Seraphites, heightening my anticipation. However, I didn’t expect their introduction to occur so early in the series. In the game, Ellie spends a day and a half in Seattle before she encounters any Seraphites. Initially, she discovers murals depicting the Seraphite prophet, along with letters, religious totems, and lifeless bodies that illustrate the cult’s ominous presence in the city.
However, Ellie’s first direct interaction with the Seraphites occurs when she is navigating through a park and is struck by an arrow in her shoulder. After she overcomes that initial wave of Seraphites, she comes across another group engaged in the brutal execution of a captured Wolf. They ritualistically hang their victim with a noose and carve into their abdomen, creating a deeply unsettling scene that positions these new adversaries as equally formidable as the other hostile factions in Seattle. Currently, it appears that the TV adaptation may struggle to replicate the shock value of that pivotal moment.
The Unforeseen Brutality of the Seraphites Will Ensure Ellie’s Initial Encounter Remains Shocking
The Seraphites Are Not as Innocent as They Appear
Despite the fact that The Last of Us has introduced the Seraphites earlier than expected, there is still potential for Ellie’s initial encounter with the cult to retain its powerful impact. So far, the series has portrayed the Seraphites as a seemingly benevolent religious group victimized by the Wolves. Consequently, it will come as a shock to viewers when they discover the true, brutal nature of the Seraphites, who are known to ritualistically hang and mutilate their captives. The audience of The Last of Us will undoubtedly be horrified to uncover that the Seraphites are not as innocent as they initially appear.
