The Last of Us Best Episodes, Ranked by IMDb

There’s no doubt that HBO’s The Last of Us has been a polarizing matter all along, but the show’s sophomore season quickly made it even worse with its first episode only.

While those who never touched the original video game may have no problem with the series so far, the game players are still seeing red after several major revelations, which probably resulted in season 2 episode 1’s rating crashing down to 7.6 on IMDb.

Still, there are much better valued episodes out there, and there’s still time before a new episode comes along, so go for it.

Season 1 Episode 4 — Please Hold to My Hand

• 8.3/10 on IMDb

The episode finds Joel and Ellie right after they have to abandon their truck in Kansas City and now are forced to sneak out without being noticed by a ruthless rebel leader. The two are still struggling with getting along, but things ultimately turn out better than they expected. Meanwhile, the same rebel leader named Kathleen is seen desperately looking for someone who she blames for her brother’s death.

Season 1 Episode 6 — Kin

• 8.8/10 on IMDb

This episode follows Joel and Ellie through a rival territory that they were previously advised to not go into. However, both are determined to find the Fireflies and Joel’s long-lost brother Tommy. After reaching their destination, they continue the journey all the way to University of Eastern Colorado, but an encounter with raiders there leads to some serious consequences and Ellie being forced to take all the responsibility for Joel.

Season 1 Episode 9 — Look for the Light

• 9.0/10 on IMDb

The episode gives a major insight into Ellie’s background story, showing a flashback of her mother Anna as she tries to escape from an infected while being pregnant with Ellie. Anna’s longtime friend has to make a tough decision by now having the newborn’s fate completely in her hands. The episode’s ending goes back to Ellie and Joel who are about to get to their final destination.

Season 1 Episode 2 — Infected

• 9.1/10 on IMDb

Having sneaked out of the quarantine zone, Joel and Tess keep taking opposite sides when it comes to Ellie’s role in the vaccine creation, with Joel doubting that she’s in fact immune and Tess expressing hope that the girl might be able to change something.

The trio has to fight for their life again as they reach the Massachusetts State House where a more advanced and terrifying species of the infected have settled. Tess’ shocking revelation makes her come to a disheartening decision in the episode’s ending.

Season 1 Episode 1 — When You’re Lost in the Darkness

• 9.1/10 on IMDb

The Last of Us’ first ever episode gives a hindsight into the virus outbreak and Joel’s personal tragedy. Twenty years later, tough and cynical Joel works and lives in a quarantine zone in Boston where his suicidal thoughts are washed away only by some support from his smuggling partner Tess. Things change radically when both Joel and Tess are tasked with something extremely dangerous that, alternatively, might kill the virus afterwards.

Season 1 Episode 8 — When We Are in Need

• 9.3/10 on IMDb

The episode mainly follows Ellie as she tries to take care of severely wounded Joel and goes out for a hunt which leads to an encounter with two leaders of a local surviving community. Agreeing to trade medicine for her catch, Ellie finds out the strangers’ real motives and seeks ways to escape; meanwhile, Joel’s new strength gives him a boost as he embarks on a search for Ellie.

Season 1 Episode 5 — Endure and Survive

• 9.4/10 on IMDb

Probably The Last of Us’ most intense and gut-wrenching episode so far, this one sees Ellie and Joel encountering Henry and Sam, two brothers trying to survive as a local police leader aims at killing Henry for a betrayal. With the four forming an alliance to escape from Kansas City, their plan is thwarted by another attack from the infected and a tragic outcome that forces Henry to live through his worst nightmare.