Between the first and second season of The Last of Us, Joel and Ellie had a falling out straining their relationship. On tonight’s episode, we flashback to the past to discover the events that lead to their estrangement.
Before we return to Joel and Ellie’s journey, we go further back in time when Joel was a teenager. The Last of Us has expertly crafted cold openings recently, and episode six is no exception. In a few minutes, the show provides insight on Joel’s rough childhood and his protective nature towards his brother Tommy. But on another level, it highlights the generational history of violence and the inability to completely change, particularly when it comes to the ones they love. His father’s closing words, though depressing, are really what any parent can hope for.
The flashbacks in Jackson mostly coincide on Ellie’s birthdays through the years. It’s a time you usually associate with happiness, and early on, it’s just that. It’s sweet the lengths Joel goes to make the days seem perfect with all the meticulous planning. Music plays such an important role in both their lives and their connection.
Joel’s strip down acoustic cover of Pearl Jam’s “Future Days” is such a vulnerable yet passionate moment. The lyrics perfectly encompass what his found daughter means to him. Pedro Pascal’s performance is subtle but speaks volumes. The joy actor Bella Ramsey conveys in response is priceless and enough to express the wholehearted appreciation.
The following year’s present is equally moving and plays with the wild imagination of youth. In an era filled with the infected, the ideas of dinosaurs and space travel seem even further removed than in the real world. Yet, Joel is able to deliver both. For the latter, the immersive experience is enough to escape briefly. The series is usually grounded, but it was nice to get caught up in one ethereal moment as Ellie lives out her dream. The pair might not always play nice with others and each other, but they definitely understand one another.
Unfortunately the happy times can’t last. This is The Last of Us after all. The show finely develops the deterioration of their relationship. First, the foreshadowing with actual fireflies catching Ellie’s eye. Despite their new lives, questions about the group’s fate linger in her head. As she grows older, she becomes wiser and finds inconsistencies in Joel’s story. The skepticism is a gradual build initially from a place of curiosity that evolves to more tenuous thanks in part by normal teenage rebellion.
Things all come to a head on The Last of Us during the incident with Eugene, the town therapist’s husband, first referenced earlier in the season. Even though Joel and Ellie are similar people, the dilemma underscores some of their fundamental differences. Ellie isn’t as broken down and cynical. We all know what happens to Eugene, but the manner in which Joel reacts is too reminiscent to his responses about Salt Lake City.
Ellie’s uncovering of the truth is a big deviation from the video game, but it works better from a storytelling standpoint. It’s more efficient since there is no detour and distraction back to the Fireflies hospital. Also it reminds you how close Ellie and Joel have grown.
Part of growing such an intimate bond is becoming attuned to the other whether it’s good or bad. Even though she couldn’t detect Joel’s deceitful behavior, regardless of intentions back then, she can now. The inclusion of Eugene in such an impactful event provides more expansion on the character compared to the source material but still ties in to the overall narrative.
As much as The Last of Us can bring you down, it can also offer a little glimmer of hope. We see the full conversation that Joel and Ellie had New Year’s Eve night. It’s a powerful admission from a broken man. The tears are barely holding back as Joel mutters single word answers. All Ellie wanted was to not be lied to, regardless of how shocking the truth could be.
It makes Joel’s death bittersweet now that we know they were taking the first steps towards reconciliation. Things are brought full circle with Joel’s hope that his daughter can be better than him. That’s still up in the air since she seems to be on the same self destructive path in her pursuit for revenge.
The Last of Us episode 6 is a compelling and emotional full circle tale of love and estrangement.
New episodes of The Last of Us air Sundays on HBO.
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