I'm Gonna Be a Dad: HBO's The Last of Us Season 2, Episode 4 Sparks Backlash
“I’m gonna be a dad.”
An unintentional dad joke is burning up social media this week, and it’s already become a meme.
HBO's The Last of Us Season 2, Episode 4 delivered a scene that's warming hearts and riling purists: Ellie, after learning of Dina's pregnancy, quips, "I'm gonna be a dad."
The moment, aired on May 4, 2025, sharply contrasts with Ellie’s darker in-game reaction in The Last of Us Part II, prompting split reactions from fans and reigniting the adaptation vs. canon debate.
The Show’s Version: Hope in the Apocalypse
In the episode titled "Day One," Dina reveals her pregnancy shortly after Ellie survives a Cordyceps bite, confirming her immunity. Dina, played by Isabel Merced, confirms the pregnancy with a stash of test kits found in Seattle. Ellie, portrayed by Bella Ramsey, responds with warmth and humor, saying, "I'm gonna be a dad," clearly excited at the idea of helping raise the child—who is, canonically, Jesse's, her ex-boyfriend.
This soft, supportive moment is a sharp tonal shift from the games, where the reveal was drenched in dread and tension.
The Game’s Version: Burdened by Reality
In The Last of Us Part II, Ellie learns of Dina’s pregnancy under far bleaker circumstances. After a spore encounter forces Ellie to reveal her immunity, Dina confesses she’s pregnant. Ellie’s response is sharp: “Are you fucking kidding me?... You’re a burden now, aren’t you?” It’s a turning point, showing Ellie’s singular focus on revenge following Joel’s death and the emotional walls she’s built.
Many fans preferred this darker tone, citing its emotional weight and realism.
The Backlash: "Woke" or Just Different?
Not everyone is thrilled with HBO’s rewrite. On X, DramaAlert posted a meme claiming the show had gone “full WOKE,” echoing other complaints that the scene was too sanitized or idealistic. Others criticized the decision to portray a pregnancy during a zombie apocalypse as illogical, while some questioned whether the softer Ellie undermines her arc.
Still, a vocal portion of the fanbase appreciated the change. Some viewers called it funny or sweet, noting that it paints Ellie as more emotionally mature. It’s a classic adaptation dilemma: should the show mirror the game's edge, or can it carve out its own, more hopeful path?
Adapting Tone: Warmth vs. Grit
The shift from gritted-teeth realism to emotional support isn’t just a one-off scene change—it signals a broader narrative tone. In the show, Dina and Ellie share an intimate moment before the reveal, turning the pregnancy into a moment of bonding. In the game, it comes before intimacy, driving a wedge between them.
Some argue the show is exploring themes of healing and future-building, while the game was about vengeance and trauma. Whether that tonal shift works is still up for debate.
What's Next?
The rest of Season 2 will determine how this softer Ellie plays out, especially as the Seattle arc intensifies. The show is still tracking toward a confrontation with Abby, and the contrast between hope and violence may define the adaptation’s success.
Love it or hate it, Ellie’s dad joke is here to stay—and it’s reshaped one of the game’s most emotionally fraught scenes.
News compiled by Derek Gibbs and Steven "Edgar" Bubbles / Published on May 7, 2025
Sources:
Beebom, "I'm Gonna Be a Dad: How Ellie Embraces Dina's Pregnancy in The Last of Us Season 2," May 5, 2025
ScreenRant, "That Dina Reveal In The Last Of Us Season 2, Episode 4 Explained," May 5, 2025
ScreenRant, "I'm A Fan Of Ellie & Dina's Pairing In The Last Of Us, But I'm Surprised How Much The Show Changed Their Big Theater Scene In Seattle," May 5, 2025
X Post by @alina0, Post ID: 1919942053301035327, May 7, 2025
X Post by DramaAlert, Post ID: 1919854872033161400, May 6, 2025
X Post by @Retmods, Post ID: 1920076544568946914, May 7, 2025
X Post by @abelm3404, Post ID: 1920128072512159787, May 7, 2025
X Post by @DDXCross, Post ID: 1920001660580983288, May 7, 2025
X Post by @tnsxpm, Post ID: 1920199266410377503, May 7, 2025
X Post by @TrueBlue, Post ID: 1919981448213262357, May 7, 2025
X Post by @saitama!, Post ID: 1919962986610831422, May 7, 2025