Players who experienced The Last of Us Part II since its release in 2020 have anticipated the developments that recently occurred in HBO’s The Last of Us Season 2. Those fans are still a few steps ahead of viewers who only know the story through the show. That’s why one of Season 2’s new cast members, Isabela Merced, recently shared some advice for fans watching the show.

This story contains spoilers through The Last of Us Season 2, Episode 3. Stop reading now if you’re not current with the show.

“I think watching this, you have to lean into your feelings that you’re feeling in each moment,” said Merced via Variety. “I don’t think the writers and the designers of the game wanted you to be wiser [than the characters]. I don’t think they wanted you to be like, ‘Oh, everyone’s bad because they’re all after their own thing.’ I think they really want everyone to lean into their frustration and their pain.”

That pain comes from the loss of Joel (Pedro Pascal), the fan-favorite character who was murdered by Abby (Kaitlyn Dever) in retaliation for the murder of her father at Joel’s hands. This in turn has led Ellie (Bella Ramsey) to swear vengeance against Abby and her friends for killing her surrogate father figure. Merced’s Dina–who seems to be very much in love with Ellie–is now in a delicate position of accompanying Ellie on a mission of revenge that might get one or both of them killed.

“[The writers are] cooking,” added Merced. “The meal’s not done yet… I don’t think you have to be bigger than the message.”

Ramsey recently shared the experience of filming an emotionally difficult scene from episode 3 regarding Joel’s death. Joel may be dead in the present, but Pascal still has a part to play in Season 2. The next episode of The Last of Us will also introduce Jeffrey Wright’s character, Isaac, who he also played in The Last of Us Part II.

The Last of Us Season 2, Episode 4 will premiere on Sunday, May 4 at 6 PM PT / 9 PM ET on HBO and Max.