A cliffhanger that tests our trust
“Convergence” flings open the theater doors, kills Jesse in a single brutal moment, and ends with Abby’s gun pointed at Ellie as a shot rings out before the screen fades to black. For game veterans the structure is familiar, but for show-only viewers it may feel abrupt, almost messy, because Abby has spent most of the season off-screen. HBO is effectively asking newcomers to wait a full year before learning the fate of its lead, then rewind several days to follow a character they have little reason to like. The risk is bold, yet the end result can feel more frustrating than intriguing.
Pacing that sprints when it should stroll
The finale attempts to condense Ellie’s solo trek across a ravaged Seattle into one episode. Important beats that might have breathed over multiple hours—her injuries, her growing desperation, the tension with Jesse—flash by quickly. The urgency meets the story beats, but the emotional build feels truncated. A little more time on the road could have shown Ellie’s obsession hardening rather than flipping a switch, and it would have helped balance the episode’s final ten minutes, which otherwise dominate the memory of the hour.
Performances that carry the load
Bella Ramsey continues to raise Ellie above the script, grounding every impulsive decision in raw fear and grief. Kaitlyn Dever’s Abby arrives like a force of nature, although the episode leaves her humanity for season three. A standout surprise comes from Ariela Barer as Mel, who sacrifices her own safety to protect her unborn child; the soft compassion in her brief screen time highlights Ellie’s darkening path. Even with limited minutes, Young Mazino’s Jesse sells the sting of his loss.
Themes of vengeance and moral erosion
The show keeps hammering the cycle of revenge. Ellie’s conversations with Jesse underline that surviving in this world often means sacrificing morality, and losing him strips away her last tether to decency. The cliffhanger reinforces the idea that violence rarely grants closure; instead it widens the gulf between characters we once rooted for and the people they become.
Looking ahead with cautious optimism
Viewers who know the game expect season three to shift into Abby’s perspective inside the WLF stadium. That story is powerful, yet the series has given new audiences minimal time with her, which may make accepting her arc tougher. Blending timelines, as the game does, could have built empathy sooner. If the writers can recapture that balance next year, Abby’s half of the tale may still resonate, but the show must earn that trust quickly when it returns.
Verdict
“Convergence” is confident and uncompromising, propelled by stellar acting and striking direction, yet its structural gamble risks alienating part of its audience. As a faithful adaptation it succeeds; as television it leaves a bruise of impatience. Score: 7 / 10—strong craft, uneven emotional payoff, and a long wait for resolution.
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