Joel’s Heartbreaking Return in The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 6

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It was previously announced that Joel (Pedro Pascal) will reappear in The Last of Us, as hinted by his presence in the trailer and more recently, a flashback scene in Episode 5 where he entered Ellie’s (Bella Ramsey) room. Interestingly, the entirety of Season 2, Episode 6 appears to be a long flashback that not only shows how Joel and Ellie’s relationship evolved but also sheds light on what led to their rift in the past.

Each year on Ellie’s birthday, events unfold much like a heartwarming father-daughter tale, as Ellie matures from a young girl into a woman. Joel encounters experiences he missed with his real daughter, Sarah (played by Nico Parker). This poignant episode was both heartbreaking and beautiful, shedding light on the rift between them, and the final words that Ellie shared with her paternal figure.

Joel Stepped Into the Fatherly Role, and All the Challenges That Come With It

The episode chronicles all of Ellie’s birthdays since the duo moved to Jackson post-Fireflies incident, beginning with her 15th birthday and ending at the start of Season 2 Episode 1 when Ellie turns 19. Before the typical angst and introspection of adolescence set in, Ellie was a charming, guileless teenager. However, as she matured, she began to develop a more refined self-awareness.

Year after year, Joel consistently goes the extra mile to ensure Ellie feels secure, valued, and above all, cherished. For instance, he orders a cake for her birthday. He crafts personalized presents, such as building a guitar adorned with one of her drawings – providing a fascinating backstory about the emblematic guitar. This act mirrors when Sarah repaired Joel’s old watch for his birthday in the series premiere. Besides cakes and gifts, Joel also creates unique birthday experiences for Ellie.

The most enchanting moment occurs when he escorts her to an old museum he stumbled upon during his duties. Inside, there’s a spaceship, and he persuades her to explore it. Surrounding exhibits show space uniforms and helmets, and he motivates her to fulfill every child’s fantasy – break the glass and seize a helmet. Later, he presents her with a cassette tape, explaining that it took him great effort to obtain it. It contains audio from an authentic space voyage. Ellie shut her eyes, sinking into this extraordinary once-in-a-lifetime encounter. Even though she’s not physically in space, the experience feels real to her. In that instant, she resembles a carefree child once more, and Joel watches with joy as she grins from ear to ear.

As Ellie matures through the years and reaches adolescence, life takes an unexpected turn, much like it does with many teenagers. At the age of 17, Joel steps into unfamiliar grounds. Catching her in her room partially undressed with another young woman, he’s filled with anger. He struggles to comprehend the situation, Ellie’s sexuality, and what seems to him as an experimentation. He discovers a tattoo on her arm that conceals the Cordyceps scar, which she had earlier hidden through a deliberate burn so she could wear T-shirts comfortably again. This tattoo is identical to the one she sports in current times, and Joel reacts with equal fury as any parent would if they found out their 17-year-old got a tattoo without their knowledge. In reference to the marijuana cigarette he also finds on the table, he questions Ellie, “So, it seems like all the teenage drama at once, right?

Ellie yearns for independence, and tensions are escalating in their bond. They’re frequently arguing, with Ellie expressing her need for solitude by attempting to shift her mattress to the garage. Joel eventually agrees but plans to make it habitable first. Now, Ellie is acting much like a brooding teenager, pushing for combat training, patrols, and personal freedom. She no longer wishes to be known as “Joel’s daughter”; she simply wants to be Ellie. And this independence is causing him great pain.

The Straw That Breaks the Camel’s Back in ‘The Last of Us’

Once I set Ellie up in the garage, things between us began to change for the better. She found some freedom and independence, which made me start treating her more like a young adult. However, our relationship wasn’t the same as before; it was clear that I missed the little girl she used to be.

Two years pass, and as a special birthday gift for her 19th, he takes Ellie on her first patrol. However, things take a disastrous turn. They encounter Eugene (Joe Pantoliano), the husband of Gail (Catherine O’Hara). He’s been bitten and pleads to return before being consumed by the infection, so he can bid farewell to his wife. Although Ellie believes it’s the right action, Joel disagrees. He vows to Ellie that he will comply but secretly ends Eugene’s life instead. When they return with the body to their community, Joel misleads Gail about the circumstances, but Ellie steps in and honestly reveals what transpired. This is the instant when she confronts Joel angrily, saying “You gave your word.

At this point, Joel and Ellie’s bond appears shattered, seemingly irreparable. From then on, their interactions are minimal. They no longer engage in shared activities or share stories about their daily lives. Ellie avoids patrolling with Joel, while he tries to initiate conversations, but she responds curtly. It’s a painful sight, and it doesn’t go unnoticed, as Dina (played by Isabela Merced) remarks in the initial episode of Season 2.

As a movie reviewer, allow me to share my thoughts: Initially, Eugene’s actions left Ellie feeling deeply betrayed, seemingly beyond repair. However, there was more to it than just anger. Before they set out on their first patrol, Ellie had been quietly mulling over the question of Salt Lake City in her mind. She harbored a suspicion that Joel’s story from five years ago wasn’t entirely truthful, and she yearned for the unvarnished truth.

In the episode, it’s shown that contrary to what appeared in Episode 1, “Future Days,” Ellie didn’t merely head to the garage and brush off Joel on the porch after the New Year’s Eve party. Instead, she returned to converse with him. This conversation is significant because Ellie recognized a familiar expression on Joel’s face when he swore to bring Eugene back alive. This was the same look he had given her when he pledged that what he told her about the Fireflies was true. It was at this moment that she became certain her doubts were well-founded.

In a tough predicament, Joel is forced to admit his past deceptions or face losing Ellie forever. With no other options, he confesses. Although Ellie had been suspicious for some time, it wasn’t until she heard it straight from Joel that the weight of guilt truly settled on her. As the last hope for humanity, Joel had inadvertently taken that responsibility away from her.

In their last conversation, unaware these would be her final words to him, Ellie tells Joel, “I’m not sure I can find it in my heart to forgive you,” yet she adds, “I’ll give it a try.” The scene is heavy with emotion as Joel acknowledges his faults while expressing he’d repeat the actions if granted another opportunity. Her response underscores Ellie’s wisdom and growth, showing her transition into maturity. At least Joel finds comfort in knowing that Ellie’s life will hold significance somehow, making her sacrifice worthwhile.

It’s quite possible that fans will witness Joel again, as there are numerous chances for flashbacks in the upcoming season finale and even Season 3. However, this poignant and emotional episode underscores the fact that Joel and Ellie’s bond deepened significantly, despite appearances to the contrary. After all, Joel initially lost his daughter, but he found another one, albeit decades later. It’s becoming clear to Ellie that she didn’t merely lose a friend; she lost someone who loved her as a daughter. Catch The Last of Us on Max.

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2025-05-19 05:32