This article contains spoilers for The Last of Us season 2, episode 4.The Last of Us season 2, episode 4, also highlights the city's other issues and new characters like Isaac.

Speaking on HBO's The Last of Us Podcast, showrunners Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann say that one major Seattle conflict will not be fully addressed until season 3. Mazon explained that "these questions about this war may not be answered this season." The creator explained that he and his team "didn't know if [they] were getting canceled" and thus could not solve every mystery. Druckmann then assured audiences that they would "definitely get those" answers because of the season 3 renewal. Check out the full quotes below:

Mazin: The question is, what is Isaac pursuing. And these questions about this war may not be answered this season. There will be some mysteries.

Druckmann: Now that we’re renewed for season three, we could say, you will definitely get those.

Mazin: That’s the thing. We just didn’t know if we were getting canceled, guys. We will absolutely find out exactly what they’re about, exactly what he wants, which is the most important thing to understand about characters, but there will be some mystery to sit with for a while.

What This Means For The Last Of Us Season 2

Seeds Of The Seattle Conflict Have Been Planted

While the wolves are introduced in The Last of Us season 2, episode 3, the fourth episode paints a fuller picture. The episode opens with a prologue that starts in 2018, showing Isaac, a FEDRA member at the time, bombing those in a FEDRA truck. Later scenes imply that the WLF (or "wolves") have taken over Seattle from FEDRA. However, their efforts to control the city are not without challenges, as a group called the Scars has also entered the city. The two groups are in some conflict after their truce fell apart. However, it's unclear what led to this issue in the first place and why the truce broke.

It is not the first time that The Last of Us show has introduced a non-FEDRA group controlling a location. Season 1 introduced Kathleen and her crew, who were a rebel group that overthrew Kansas City, Missouri. Based on new comments from the showrunners, Isaac's journey will be very different from Kathleen's. Whereas her tenure only lasted two episodes, the drama and mystery surrounding Isaac will be drawn out over more than one season.

Our Take On The Last Of Us' Delayed Mystery

This Could Build Season 3 Excitement

In some ways, elongating the mystery surrounding Isaac and his group seems like an odd choice for a team that was not sure about their renewal. If The Last of Us had been canceled after season 2, the Isaac storyline would have been left forever a mystery for TV watchers. With The Last of Us renewed for season 3, however, this could be a way to build excitement about the season, as season 2 viewers will have lingering questions even if the show resolves some key points.

Source: HBO's The Last Of Us Podcast