The Last of Us

10 Best Episodes of The Last of Us

The Last of Us is an HBO series that first aired in 2023. It follows the story of Joel and Ellie, two survivors who must traverse the United States in a post-apocalyptic world. As one of the best post-apocalyptic dramas ever, The Last of Us has captivated audiences with its captivating story and powerful characters. In this article, we’ll be ranking the best episodes of the series, so you can decide if The Last of Us is worth your time.

The Last of Us has only one season, with ten episodes. Each episode has its own unique story arc and compelling moments, but some are clearly better than others. From intense action sequences to emotional character moments, each episode has something special to offer. To help you choose the best episodes to watch, we’ve put together a list of our top five ranked episodes.

So, if you’re looking for the best episodes of The Last of Us, then look no further. Here’s our list of the best episodes of The Last of Us, ranked from worst to best. From intense action sequences to emotional character moments, you’re sure to find something you’ll love!

Written by Sophie and last updated on jan 14, 2024.

PS: The following content contains spoilers!

PPS: I will admit that parts of this page was written with the help of AI - it makes my work so much easier to not start from a blank page!

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The Last of Us - S1E7

#9 - Left Behind (Season 1 - Episode 7)

The Last of Us episode Left Behind is a powerful and heartbreaking episode that follows Joel's fight for survival and Ellie's reflections on the night that changed everything. The character of Ellie is brought to life with incredible depth and emotion by the actor Bella Ramsey. In a particularly cute scene, Ellie is seen checking her hair in the reflection of a window.

The episode is extremely intense, with the audience yelling for the characters to be quiet multiple times throughout. Viewers are left feeling devastated and emotional after watching the episode, a testament to the excellent performances by Bella Ramsey and Storm Reid. All of the awards are deserved for their incredible portrayals and powerful story.

The episode was rated 7.48 from 5492 votes.

The Last of Us - S1E4

#8 - Please Hold to My Hand (Season 1 - Episode 4)

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The Last of Us' Please Hold to My Hand episode is a beautiful and harrowing journey across a post-apocalyptic United States. Joel and Ellie have to navigate their way through the dangerous Kansas City on foot as they search for safety. Along the way, they meet Kathleen, the leader of a rebel militia who sets off a manhunt for Joel and Ellie.

This episode has been praised for its stunningly beautiful post-apocalyptic landscapes, with viewers commending the show for its visual artistry. The episode also includes some of Ellie's signature quips, which adds some much-needed levity to the intense storyline. Overall, this episode is a fan favorite, with many citing it as their favorite episode of the show so far, awarding it a perfect 10/10 rating.

The episode was rated 7.81 from 5864 votes.

The Last of Us - S1E3

#7 - Long, Long Time (Season 1 - Episode 3)

In the episode "Long, Long Time" of The Last of Us, viewers are taken on an emotional journey as Doomsday prepper Bill prepares to face the apocalypse alone. However, his plans take an unexpected turn when a mysterious stranger arrives and changes everything. Years later, Joel and Ellie seek out Bill's help and, in doing so, find themselves at a crossroads.

The episode has been met with mixed reviews, with some fans feeling disappointed by the lack of zombies while others appreciate the emotional story being told. Nick Offerman's portrayal of Bill as a joyous character who giggles at strawberries is widely praised and has made the episode highly memorable. Despite some pushback, many viewers appreciate the message of the episode and recognize the need for stories like this in today's world.

The episode was rated 8.02 from 7395 votes.

The Last of Us - S1E6

#6 - Kin (Season 1 - Episode 6)

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The Last of Us: Kin is the upcoming episode of the show that will soon be released. Despite no further details being released, the episode has generated a good amount of hype and speculation. Fans are hoping that the episode will bring some much needed lightheartedness to the series, as they have seen more than enough death and suffering. One fan even commented, "Can someone not die in this episode, please? Thanks." Despite no one knowing what to expect, the anticipation continues to build.

The Last of Us has always been a series that focuses on the harsh realities of life, and while it has been praised for its realism, fans are now looking for a change of pace. Kin is the perfect opportunity to provide fans with an episode that is a break from the norm. While no one knows what to expect, one thing is for certain: fans will be on the edge of their seats to find out what happens in this upcoming episode.

The episode was rated 8.09 from 5590 votes.

The Last of Us - S1E9

#5 - Look for the Light (Season 1 - Episode 9)

The Last of Us is a thrilling post-apocalyptic drama that follows the story of Joel and Ellie, two survivors navigating their way through a world ravaged by a deadly virus. In the episode "Look for the Light," Joel and Ellie are on the search for a way to cure the virus and save humanity. They must face their fears and brave the dangers of the world in order to find a way to turn the tide and save the human race.

Along the way, the duo find themselves in difficult situations and are forced to make difficult decisions. With the fate of the human race in their hands, they must find a way to stay alive while they search for the cure. As they fight through the ruins of civilization, they must also find a way to stay hopeful and look for the light in the darkness. With determination and courage, Joel and Ellie must find a way to end the virus and restore humanity.

The episode was rated 8.20 from 5333 votes.

The Last of Us - S1E2

#4 - Infected (Season 1 - Episode 2)

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The Last of Us' episode "Infected" was an amazing hour-long journey that flew by in a blink of an eye. This episode was set in 2023 outside of the quarantine zone in a long-abandoned Boston overrun with Infected, causing Joel and Tess to clash over Ellie's fate. The atmosphere was intense and eerie due to the clicking of the Infected, and the set pieces were breathtaking. The cast, setting, music, and pacing were all perfect, making this episode a real treat for the audience. Fans are eagerly waiting for what's to come next in the series!

The episode was rated 8.24 from 6709 votes.

The Last of Us - S1E1

#3 - When You're Lost in the Darkness (Season 1 - Episode 1)

The first episode of The Last of Us, "When You're Lost in the Darkness," tells the story of how Joel Miller attempts to escape the escalating chaos of a global fungal outbreak in 2003. Twenty years later, Joel and his partner Tess have to fight to survive under a totalitarian regime while the Fireflies harbor a teenage girl with a unique gift. Fans of the original game are in for a treat, as the episode follows the original story very closely, and has the same composer for the soundtrack. The directing and writing of the episode was beautifully done and was able to elicit different emotions at the right times.

The acting was great, with Bella Ramsey doing a spot-on job as Ellie. The visuals were also amazing, and really make the episode feel true to the game. Fans can live the amazing moments that the game gave them all over again. The episode is a masterpiece that fans should watch with an open mind, as it follows the game's story but doesn't remain exactly the same. Overall, "When You're Lost in the Darkness" is a great start to the series and fans will definitely be wanting more after the episode is over.

The episode was rated 8.29 from 7616 votes.

The Last of Us - S1E8

#2 - When We Are in Need (Season 1 - Episode 8)

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The Last of Us episode "When We Are in Need" is an emotionally charged and intense episode. In this episode, viewers are reminded of the fragility of life and the harshness of the world. The episode follows the story of Ellie, a young girl who has grown up in a world filled with violence, death, and danger. The episode explores the power of human relationships and how they can be a source of strength and hope in a world filled with chaos.

The episode culminates in a dramatic confrontation between Ellie and the leader of a group of bandits. In the heat of the moment, Ellie references her own experiences of tragedy and loss, revealing her inner strength and courage. This episode demonstrates how even in the darkest of times, humans can still find hope and meaning in the relationships they build with each other. Despite the danger and difficulty of their environment, when humans are in need, they can rely on each other and find the courage to go on.

The episode was rated 8.32 from 5479 votes.

The Last of Us - S1E5

#1 - Endure and Survive (Season 1 - Episode 5)

In the episode "Endure and Survive" from the show The Last of Us, Henry fights to protect his brother Sam from rebel soldiers who will stop at nothing to appease their ruthless leader. As her manhunt continues, Kathleen doubles down on her quest for revenge, while Ellie forms a meaningful friendship.

Making Sam deaf was a great example of how diversity and representation don't have to compromise a character. His deafness ties into what Joel tells Henry about how being a kid is easier, as Sam can't hear the gunfire, explosions, screaming, and tough conversations that Henry has to deal with and protect Sam from. This moment where Sam is sitting on the edge of the bed and we don't know if he's turned was adapted brilliantly, as Ellie knows he's infected, but when she calls out to him and gets no response, she doesn't know if he's okay, because he's deaf. This adaptation of the story hit way harder than it did in the game, and the audience was moved by the heartfelt moment where Henry promises to stay awake with Sam, despite his apology for dragging him into the situation.

The episode was rated 8.40 from 5921 votes.

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