Look, I’ve been here for the Ellie and Dina love train since season one dropped. They’re the kind of couple that makes you want to scream “FINALLY” at your TV while also crying because, let’s face it, this is The Last of Us , where happy endings are about as common as gas masks in a zombie-free world.
But even though I’m fully on board their ship (named The Firefly Express , obviously), I was genuinely shocked by how much HBO’s The Last of Us Season 2 changed one of the most pivotal moments between them: the theater scene in Seattle. And not just minor tweaks like changing someone’s outfit or adding an extra mushroom monster. We’re talking full-on rewrites, reshuffles, and romantic plot twists that would make Shakespeare say, “Okay, that escalated quickly.”
So let’s break down what happened when Ellie and Dina finally got some alone time in a dusty old playhouse — and why the show’s version might actually be better than the game. (Yes, I said it.)
From Clickers to Confessions: How The Theater Scene Got a Total Glow-Up
In both the game and the show, after surviving a subway full of clickers (which, honestly, sounds like my worst nightmare), Ellie and Dina duck into an abandoned theater. This is where things go from “zombie survival mode” to “emotional rollercoaster.” In the game, this is the moment they each reveal two massive secrets: Ellie is immune to Cordyceps, and Dina is preggers.
The show kept those reveals — because wow, that’s juicy material — but decided to spice things up like a chef who added chili flakes to your vanilla latte. You weren’t expecting it, but now you can’t imagine it any other way.
Immunity: By Accident or By Heroism?
In the game, Ellie finds out she’s immune the same way most people find out they’ve left the stove on: accidentally. Her gas mask breaks during their subway escape, she inhales spores, and… nothing happens. No coughing, no twitching, no turning into a fungal piñata. Dina watches in confusion, then awe, as Ellie remains suspiciously uninfected.
It’s a cool twist, sure, but it’s kind of passive. Ellie didn’t choose to be a hero — she just survived bad luck.
The show? Oh, it went full superhero origin story.
Ellie throws her arm into a clicker’s snapping jaws to save Dina. That’s right — she used her bite-proof skin like a human shield. Not only did this make me scream “YES, QUEEN!” at my screen, but it also made Ellie look like the literal and metaphorical protector of the relationship.
She didn’t just survive — she chose to protect. Talk about a power move. If immunity were a Marvel superpower, Ellie would be getting her own action figure.
Dina’s Emotional Rollercoaster: Gunpoint to Grindstone
Dina’s reaction in the show? Iconic.
When Ellie gets bitten saving her life, Dina doesn’t throw roses or shout “thank you.” She points a gun at her girlfriend’s head and stays there all night, watching, waiting, wondering if the woman she loves is going to turn into a spore-spewing fungus monster.
That’s commitment. That’s drama. That’s the kind of love that says, “I’ll shoot you if I have to, but I really hope I don’t.”
And when Ellie wakes up perfectly fine, Dina goes from “shoot-first” to “kiss-first,” finally confessing her feelings and revealing the pregnancy in a moment that’s sweet, raw, and emotional enough to make a Seraphite cry.
Which is a huge shift from the game, where they were already official and the pregnancy news caused a full-blown couple fight. In the game, Ellie was mad Dina didn’t tell her earlier. In the show? Ellie’s over the moon — and ready to embrace co-parenting with the enthusiasm of someone who just found out they get to be “the dad.”
(Yes, Ellie saying “I could be the dad” was everything.)
Why the Show Version Works Better Than the Game (Yes, Really)
Look, the game’s version had its strengths. Tense emotions, honest conflict, and a lot of yelling into the void — classic Last of Us vibes. But the show took the core beats and turned them into something even more powerful.
Instead of starting with resentment and blame, the show starts with sacrifice and relief. Instead of arguing about whether they should turn back, they’re making plans for a future together. Instead of breaking apart, they’re leaning in.
And honestly? That’s refreshing. In a world full of fungus zombies and morally gray decisions, seeing two women choose each other — and choose life — feels like a rare, hopeful moment.
Final Thoughts: Rewrites Can Be Romantic (Who Knew?)
So yeah, I came into the theater scene expecting heartbreak and drama. What I got was heartbreak, drama, and a heartfelt declaration of love followed by a baby announcement. It’s like HBO gave us a gift-wrapped emotional package with a warning label: “Contains tears. May cause screaming.”
But in the best way possible.
Whether you’re #TeamGame or #TeamShow, you have to admit: Ellie throwing herself in front of a clicker for Dina was iconic. Dina pointing a gun at her lover’s head was intense. And Ellie being excited about being a non-biological parent? That deserves its own Emmy.
Until next time, stay safe out there. And maybe keep a fireproof gas mask handy. Just in case.
