Editor’s Note: The following includes spoilers for The Last of Us Season 2,Episode 4.
The Last of Us
lacks few factions that fuel the violence within the narrative’s shattered realm. Despite the absence of hordes of infected, the people who endure often turn against one another, creating their own adversaries.
Season 2, Episode 4 titled “Day One,”
focuses on two: The Washington Liberation Front (or WLF) and the Seraphites. These two organizations have formed a bitter rivalry, which makes things more difficult for
Ellie (
Bella Ramsey
)
and
Dina (
Isabela Merced
)
as they make their way through Seattle and find the band of WLF members that
killed Joel (
Pedro Pascal
)
As this pair finds themselves caught between the WLF and the Seraphites,
The Last of Us
dives into the hostility between them, which, similar to numerous other confrontations in the series, stems from hate. In episode 4, we get additional background on the WLF when their leader, Isaac, is introduced.
Jeffrey Wright
), but investigating the WLF involves examining their never-ending conflict with the Seraphites, a devout religious sect that harbors a profound enmity toward them.
The violent clash between these two groups was seen on screen in
the previous episode
, but it becomes even more gruesome when the Seraphites get their revenge in Episode 4. However, before that,
The Last of Us
reveals just how much the hatred for each other is ingrained in both the members of the WLF and the Seraphites. This notable scene shows Isaac initiating the violence as he interrogates and tortures a captured Seraphite (
Ryan Masson
Although it is merely one of numerous grievances exchanged among these factions, this interaction highlights the overall conflict. Their discussion underscores how such disputes encapsulate the broader strife.
no one remembers why they are enemies in the first place
, serving as another example of just how far gone the world is as the fighting has devolved beyond reason and become a matter of pure, unwavering hatred.
‘The Last of Us’ Reveals That the Conflict Between the WLF and the Seraphites Has Lost All Meaning
The interaction between Isaac and
the Seraphite
exposes much when Isaac methodically yet ruthlessly questions the man. The man endures severe pain from being burned and beaten due to his refusal to answer Isaac’s inquiries. Despite evidently undergoing this torment for some time, the Seraphite remains steadfast and does not yield. Instead of disclosing information about the upcoming assault, the Seraphite asserts that their actions are driven by revenge, mirroring what Isaac says about the Wolves doing similarly. Mentioning the death of a child at the hands of the Seraphite, he vehemently defends himself, insisting that
WLF kill Seraphite
Children. Isaac justifies this by stating that the children have been taught to aim at his group. Nobody assumes blame for what’s happening; instead, they sound like kids denying they began the altercation. However, as the recriminations continue, it becomes evident.
neither Isaac nor the Seraphite remember where the animosity began.
The WLF and the Seraphites are trapped in a cycle of violence that no one can break. The fact that these characters don’t deny that their group has killed children is enough to prove that
neither side of this conflict is innocent
, even without the other examples shown in the series. The very real offenses build anger and resentment between them, regardless of how it began, preventing them from seeing the other as anything but an enemy. As Isaac’s interrogation goes nowhere, he grows angry with the Seraphite and
kills him
, adding yet another wrong to the growing list. But at this point, it hardly matters because the conflict is beyond reconciliation.
The WLF and the Serphites Dehumanize Each Other in ‘The Last of Us’
If no one can remember where their rivalry started, there’s no reason for their war, and the hatred has simply gone on for so long that it is deeply ingrained in them. With these two characters representing their entire group, this scene puts the hatred between the organizations on display, from their actions to the words they use to describe each other. Despite the Seraphite trying to correct him, Isaac only refers to him as a “scar,” which is clearly meant as an insult. Worse,
the WLF has dehumanized
the Seraphites
to the point that Burton (
Ben Ahlers
The soldier whom Isaac previously spared calls the Seraphite prisoner an animal and states that he should be executed.
At the same time, the Seraphite calls the WLF “Wolves,” using this term as a symbol. Nevertheless, associating them with beasts underscores the WLF’s sentiments toward the Seraphites. During the interaction, the captive demeans the WLF by asserting that nobody from his party forsakes their beliefs to join these Wolves, suggesting such an act would be more terrible than dying. Their mutual disdain is evident through their derogatory dialogue, revealing the profound enmity between them.
This hostility has turned into an integral part of who they are, as they choose not to view the other side as humans but instead as mere targets.
Because of that dehumanization, they can never find enough common ground to establish peace.
This Rivalry Highlights the Flaws in ‘The Last of Us’ Universe
It’s no secret that
The Last of Us
takes place in a devastated world. Following the end of the world, circumstances never completely recovered, particularly not when it comes to
the infected
Even though they remain widespread globally, the conflicts between the WLF and the Seraphites are unrelated to this distribution.
This is yet another instance of individuals competing with each other.
The Last of Us
is full of conflicts not related to the infected, where people form an us-versus-them situation, like FEDRA and the Fireflies or Kansas City’s local resistance group targeting the FEDRA “rats” in
Season 1
. But these wars are to the detriment of all citizens.
The hatred between the WLF and the Seraphites became all-consuming. Their battle became such a priority that they didn’t seem to realize that the infected were inside their city, which is a dangerous mistake to make. The WLF are attacked while chasing
Ellie and Dina
, whom they consider to be Seraphites, has been costly for both sides. The conflict intensifies as the WLF mows down the traveling group of Seraphites in Episode 3, followed by the Seraphites retaliating with an assault on the WLF that Ellie and Dina happen upon. This series of violent events provides ample reason for their mutual animosity, yet it persists regardless.
As for how it started, nobody knows or bothers to care.
.
The Last of Us
is available for stream on Max within the U.S.
