Why Did Isaac Betray FEDRA in The Last of Us Episode 4

Nivedita Dubey
May 8, 2025

Summary:

Isaac’s betrayal of FEDRA is revealed in a brutal ambush scene in The Last of Us Episode 4.
The episode confirms Isaac was once a FEDRA soldier disillusioned by its cruelty.
Isaac’s defection marks the birth of the WLF rebellion in Seattle.

The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 4 introduced viewers to Isaac Dixon in a chilling flashback that reshaped our understanding of the WLF leader. Originally appearing in the video game, Isaac’s betrayal of FEDRA is newly depicted in the HBO series, shedding light on the roots of Seattle’s violent rebellion.

Why Did Isaac Betray FEDRA in The Last of Us Episode 4?

The flashback in The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 4 transports viewers to 2018, ten years before Ellie and Dina arrive in Seattle. In this scene, a group of FEDRA soldiers are driving through the Quarantine Zone. Their crude discussion reveals a toxic culture, as they laugh about beating a “voter”—a term used to mock citizens who lost their rights under martial law.

It’s in this moment that Isaac Dixon, the patrol leader, is introduced. When asked why the term “voter” is used, Isaac responds: “Because we took away their rights. We took away their right to vote.” This brief remark reveals his simmering discontent with FEDRA’s treatment of civilians.

The convoy is stopped by a blockade and a large group of citizens flood the street. Against protocol, Isaac steps out to negotiate, bringing a new soldier, Burton, with him. He greets Hanrahan, a resistance leader, confirming this was a planned ambush. Without hesitation, Isaac throws grenades into the FEDRA truck, killing his own team, then guns down the escaping driver. Hanrahan welcomes him to the rebellion, and Isaac offers Burton a choice: join or die.

What This Scene Reveals About Isaac’s Past in The Last of Us

This pivotal scene marks the origin of Isaac’s transformation from a FEDRA soldier to a revolutionary. While Isaac’s backstory was never fully explored in the video game, this HBO-exclusive flashback reveals he was once embedded in the oppressive system he would later fight to dismantle.

The moment highlights Isaac’s moral breaking point. After likely witnessing countless abuses, he makes a decisive move to destroy FEDRA from within. His actions, though ruthless, suggest he believed only total rebellion could free Seattle from tyranny. The handshake from Hanrahan cements Isaac’s defection and the start of a new resistance—the Washington Liberation Front (WLF).

How Isaac’s Betrayal Sets Up the WLF’s Role in Season 2

By the time Ellie and Dina arrive in Seattle in the present day, Isaac is the ruthless leader of the WLF, already deep in conflict with the Seraphites, a religious faction. This new context from Episode 4 sets the stage for the brutal warfare between the WLF and Seraphites seen throughout The Last of Us Part II.

Isaac’s decision to betray FEDRA mirrors the uprising themes explored in earlier seasons. Viewers previously saw groups like the Fireflies and Kathleen’s militia rise against FEDRA’s authoritarian rule. Isaac’s betrayal continues this pattern but adds depth by showing the exact moment a FEDRA soldier turned into a revolutionary.

His ruthlessness in killing his own unit also foreshadows the leadership style he brings to the WLF—calculated, unflinching, and ready for war.