When you follow that through, it seems pretty clear that the flashback at the end of episode 5 is building up to something. The Last of Us is well known for breaking the mould with its standout episodes, some of which — think episodes 3 and episodes 7 in Season 1 — take us on journeys into the past.

Dina fills in some blanks about her past. Ellie finds the first of her intended targets.

In both The Last of Us Part 1 and Part 2, spores have always been a key part of the narrative. Whenever anyone but Ellie descends into a heavily infected zone, they put on a mask to make sure they don't get exposed. However, this is the first time it's been introduced in the adaptation.