The Last of Us Season 2 Review: Isabela Merced's Dina Helped Save The Show After Joel's Big Exit

The Last of Us season 2 had a massive hurdle to clear with Pedro Pascal's Joel leaving the show. Many of us knew it was coming if we played the games but it was still a tough moment for fans. Luckily the casting directors found a real gem in Isabela Merced. She plays Dina, one of the main characters in season 2. Fans of the 2020 game already knew Dina's story and her importance. Season 2 did include that moment many had been dreading: Joel's death. This moment, of course, had a huge impact on all the other characters including Dina.

Accepting Joel's death was hard, especially for those of us who love Pedro Pascal. But his exit also made room for Merced's Dina to get more screen time. The Last of Us will never fully replace Pedro Pascal's Joel. Still, in just a few episodes, Merced showed why the show was worth watching. While much of the focus will stay on Ellie and Abby, Dina's shared story with Ellie kept season 2 moving when Joel was not there.

Isabela Merced's Casting As Dina Was Crucial For The Last Of Us Season 2 To Succeed

How The Actress Helped Anchor Ellie's Story When Joel Was No Longer Present

Just like in the game, Joel and Ellie quickly became the main faces of HBO's live-action version of The Last of Us. There were many interesting side characters and guest stars. But in the end, it was Joel and Ellie's journey that held the show together. That feeling changed fast in season 2 when Abby, a new character, killed Joel. This left a big empty spot because Pedro Pascal was gone. Even though Kaitlyn Dever's casting as Abby got a lot of buzz, Isabela Merced's acting as Dina ended up making Ellie's journey without Joel much better.

Dina's live-action version had undeniable chemistry with Bella Ramsey's Ellie. This gave the show a fitting pair for Ellie's next chapter without Joel. Many things made The Last of Us still worth watching despite Joel's sad death. Merced's Dina stood out as one of the most convincing parts. From her very first appearance with Joel, Merced brought a charming presence. This is something often missing from characters in worlds after a big disaster. What's more, Dina's live-action self had real chemistry with Ramsey's Ellie. This gave the show a good pairing for Ellie's next steps after Joel. Getting the Dina casting wrong could have quickly messed up The Last Of Us Season 2. Luckily that did not happen at all.

Merced truly became a highlight in The Last of Us season 2. A lot of this came from making small changes to Dina's character. The show let Dina show Ellie's more silly side by giving them the same sense of humor. This led to some lighter moments between them, even when they were facing dark situations together. As the series made it clear that Ellie was falling deeper in love with Dina, Merced also started becoming a fan-favorite for how she could grab attention in scenes.

Dina's Character Became More Interesting After Joel's Death In The Last Of Us Season 2

Exploring How Her Personal Reactions And New Backstory Added Depth To Her Role

Even though The Last of Us has stayed true to the main story points of the games so far, the show has made some changes. One big game change in The Last of Us season 2's first episode was Dina and Joel's bond. They not only had a scene together. It was clear that Dina and Joel shared a special connection in the show. Their relationship added another layer to Joel's murder in the next episode. This is especially true since Dina was with Joel when he met Abby. That meeting led to his murder.

Dina's personal reaction to the tragedy and her willingness to help Ellie get revenge made Merced's character more interesting. This stayed true throughout The Last of Us season 2. Dina went with Ellie on the trip to Seattle. This allowed their friendship to grow into a full romance. The relationship between Ellie and Dina was slower to start than in the game. But even then, she was always presented as more than just a side character to Ellie's story. She became an important main person. This helped us see her as someone who matters on her own, not just as Ellie's partner.

Dina quickly became a crucial character in Ellie's life, especially when Ellie needed support the most. Being able to rely on Dina strengthened their bond. It eventually allowed them to show their true feelings for each other in the show. However, Isabela Merced took the basic parts of Dina and improved certain areas. She made the character even more likable. The show added more emotional weight to Merced's version. This could be because it is a live-action show. But there was also more focus on Dina's own challenges. Beyond Dina's pregnancy, her sexuality became a bigger topic. Her mother's disapproval of Dina liking "boys and girls" fit into her expanded history. This added more complexity to the character's journey.

Giving Dina more power in ways not fully tied to Ellie's journey will help The Last of Us keep making the character better. She is vital to Ellie's story. But she has also shown she is independent and able to survive on her own. In some ways, Merced's acting as Dina has even made her seem like the young tough character. She bravely takes down infected and uses her skills to outsmart dangers. This is especially true since she is not immune like Ellie. I hope that continues in The Last of Us season 3, even if Dina becomes a mother.

What Storylines Were Changed Or Cut In The Last Of Us Season 2 From The Original Game?

Looking At The Differences In How The Show Adapted Key Moments And Characters

The first season of The Last of Us did not need to make too many cuts. The game was only about 10 hours long. When you think about all the time it takes to find supplies and beat infected, the story is even shorter. But The Last of Us is not in the same spot adapting the second video game. Even with at least two seasons to get through everything, there are so many big storylines to cover. Season 2 starts strong, sending Abby’s group to Jackson Hole and having them kill Joel with very few changes.

As The Last of Us season 2 moved forward, it became clear that big moments from the games would not be exact copies. Some storylines did not even get a chance to appear in the HBO series. For example, the start of season 2 shows a scene in Salt Lake City. This is after Joel's rampage. Abby and her friends look at the graves of the fallen Fireflies. They promise to get revenge on the man responsible. After five years, they get their chance in Jackson Hole. Abby, Mel, Nora, Owen, and Manny arrive in Wyoming and find Joel quickly. But other allies from the game, Jordan, Leah, and Nick, are not there. The show might be saving them for season 3. But there is no mention of them in Seattle. This makes it feel like they just did not make the cut.

There is tension between Abby and her group in Wyoming on the show. But it is easy to say it is just her attitude. After all, her dad was supposed to make the cure. Joel killed him without thinking twice. However, the game drops a big piece of news on Abby right before she meets Joel. This makes her even more unstable during their meeting. While talking alone with Owen, Abby learns that Mel, his current girlfriend, is pregnant. Abby does not take the news well and runs away. This gets her into trouble. Joel helps her out of it. The show takes a different path. Abby just goes on patrol without learning about Mel’s secret. This changes her state of mind when she meets Joel.

Joel’s death shocks the Jackson community. But it hits Ellie harder than anyone. In season 2, as soon as she leaves the hospital, she gets ready to go to Seattle. Dina stops her before she leaves alone. Dina agrees to help, even getting Seth to give them food and a horse. In the game, Maria has Seth’s role. Tommy leaves before Ellie gets the chance. Wanting her husband to come home safely, she gives Ellie and Dina her blessing to leave. Maria is not as on board in the show. The council rejects the plan to send a team to get Joel’s killers. This is a noticeable change.

Ellie and Dina spend most of Seattle Day 1 in the game learning the area. The parts of the city they are in still have FEDRA roadblocks. It takes a lot of effort to get around them. At one point, they need gas. So they visit a synagogue. Dina starts talking about her past. Dina discusses her family’s ties to Judaism with Ellie while they search the building. This gives good insight into her character. The show does not take the time to visit the synagogue. Dina only talks about her family briefly.

Since Tommy leaves for Seattle before Ellie and Dina in the game, they find many signs of his work. They find dead WLF soldiers, including Nick. They have clearly been hurt. Ellie immediately knows Tommy is behind the bloody scene. Tying people to a chair and getting information out of them is something he learned from Joel. Live-action Tommy takes his time leaving Jackson. So he cannot leave clues for Ellie. She only hears about his actions on the radio as she listens for information about Abby.

As Ellie looks for Tommy in Seattle in the game, she searches buildings and finds reminders of society before the WLF and Seraphite conflict. She reads about Boris, who lived in the area when the WLF rose to power. Boris did not agree with the WLF’s methods. But his friends feared for their lives. So they turned him in. Upset by the betrayal, he forced them into a room full of spores. He watched them turn. Ellie finds him after he turns into an infected. She has to put him down. The show does not have Ellie search for Tommy until much later. This means Boris does not appear.

Will Isabela Merced's Dina Be A Part Of The Last Of Us Season 3's Story?

Looking Ahead At How The Show Plans To Continue Its Narrative Arc

Right now, it looks like season 3 will show Abby's side of the story. Abby's "Day One" hint at the end of The Last of Us season 2, and the game's story, suggest the next season will mostly follow Kaitlyn Dever's character. While that means smaller roles for Ellie and Dina, Bella Ramsey and Isabela Merced are still expected to appear in The Last of Us season 3. I am glad we will still see them even if their roles are not as big.

The Last of Us season 2 finished with a big cliffhanger. This created many questions that season 3 needs to answer. No matter how long Abby's side of the story lasts in season 3, the show will need to return to the theater fight. It needs to show what happens to the remaining characters. Abby shot and killed Jesse in The Last of Us season 2's finale. But the exact fates of Ellie, Dina, and Tommy are still unknown. Merced has said in an interview that she expects filming to happen "next year." So she will be in season 3. Her role just might not be as central as in her first season. I am certainly looking forward to seeing how all of this plays out.