After the infected attack leaves Jackson in ruins, Tommy does everything he can to protect the survivors—but was unable to be there to save his own brother. Heartbroken at the sight of Joel’s lifeless body, Tommy says his final goodbye to Joel as he cleans up his wounds on an operating table. Meanwhile, Ellie awakens from her nap, traumatized by the sight of Joel dying before her eyes. She screams at the thought of Abby killing Joel, forcing the doctors to sedate her. The trauma leaves her in a pain she may never recover from, setting her on a dangerous path of vengeance.
Three months later, the community of Jackson is slowly healing from the attack. Volunteers work to repair the town, paving the way for a brighter future. After three months in the hospital, Ellie is finally discharged. Before leaving, she is evaluated by Gail, who asks how she has been coping since Joel’s death. Ellie insists she’s ready to move forward. Yet her visit to Joel’s home reveals the truth—grief still consumes her.
When Dina shares long-withheld information about Abby and her crew, Ellie and Dina share the information with Tommy, hoping he can help them gain approval from the Jackson council to form a team to hunt down Abby and the WLF. A heated town hall follows: some express discomfort with the idea of revenge, arguing the community is still healing and must learn to forgive and move forward. However, Seth stands up, voicing his frustration and arguing that they must avenge Joel, rejecting the idea of simply forgiving Abby’s actions. Ellie pleads with the council to approve the mission—not for revenge, but for justice for Jackson. Still, the council votes 8–3 against the mission.
Ellie refuses to accept their decision. Knowing Ellie too well, Dina decides to join her on the mission. Before they leave, Seth quietly provides them with food, medical supplies, and a way to escape Jackson undetected. On the road to Seattle, Dina and Ellie discover a horrifying pile of dead bodies in the forest. The gruesome sight causes Dina to vomit, and both women assume Abby’s gang is responsible. When the two arrive in Seattle, the city is eerily quiet, hiding the army Ellie is about to face.
After the shocking loss of Joel, this episode dials back the chaos for something slower, more reflective. Themes of grief, healing, and the thirst for justice take center stage. Bella Ramsey shines, delivering a layered performance that captures Ellie’s internal battle through expression and dialogue alike.
The supporting characters help explore how different people process trauma—and how easily the line between justice and revenge blurs. Episode 3 stands as a strong, emotional continuation of Ellie’s journey, with the season’s darker tone now fully taking shape.
Rating: 8/10