The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 2 Features a Subtle Callback to TLOU2 That Many Missed

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In the recently aired episode of HBO’s “The Last of Us,” there’s a hidden nod to “The Last of Us Part 2” that some viewers might have overlooked. This second season, episode 2 is arguably the most intense of the series yet. It wasn’t just the heart-stopping action scenes that made it so, but also because a significant character met their end in the finale. However, it’s in the closing moments after this tragic event that the creators of “The Last of Us” decided to slip in an easter egg that fans of “The Last of Us Part 2” might recognize.

***Warning: Spoilers for Season 2 of The Last of Us are mentioned below. Read on at your own risk.

Following Joel’s heart-wrenching demise in “The Last of Us,” I found myself crawling towards his motionless form, clinging to him as tears cascaded down my face. The series then delved into a moving sequence, depicting the aftermath of this tragic event. Abby and her group ventured on through the snow, likely returning to Seattle, while Ellie, Dina, and Jesse prepared Joel’s body for the journey back to Jackson. Throughout this emotional montage, a song titled “Through the Valley” echoed softly in the background. This seemingly ordinary tune carries significant weight within The Last of Us universe.

Way back in 2016, Naughty Dog and PlayStation unveiled “The Last of Us Part 2” to us fans with a captivating teaser trailer that has since left an indelible mark. In this trailer, we see Ashley Johnson’s character Ellie singing “Through the Valley,” penned by Shawn James, before Joel, her character, enters the room for a brief exchange. Although the scene depicted in this trailer didn’t make it into the final game, it beautifully captured the mood that would define “The Last of Us Part 2”.

In “The Last of Us” TV show, the version of “Through the Valley” played is identical to the one shown in the original teaser. This song was sung by Ashley Johnson, who also starred as Ellie’s mother, Anna, in Season 1 of the series. Thus, hearing “Through the Valley” at the end of this episode takes on a more significant meaning because it connects to Anna’s character.

In the most recent installment of The Last of Us Podcast, showrunner Craig Mazin discussed the rationale behind incorporating “Through the Valley” in Episode 2, and as a devoted fan, I couldn’t help but be swept up in his enthusiasm. Reminiscing about the initial teaser for The Last of Us Part 2 that surfaced in 2016, Mazin revealed that the strategic inclusion of this song in Episode 2 was designed to serve multiple purposes. Beyond merely recalling the video game itself, it also aimed to infuse a spectral quality into our TV series, hinting at the upcoming events with a haunting allure.

Mazin expressed, “I recall noticing a brief preview, if I may call it that, being an enthusiast of the game. It left me quite emotional.” He continued, “The instant leading up to its start is actually what triggers the song. Ellie laboriously crawls towards Joel’s body, having taken blows to her ribs and evidently sustaining severe injuries. She might not survive at all. I believe she feels that she’s about to die there and wants to be with him. Hearing her shallow breaths as she settles in with the only person in her life whom she deeply cherished is incredibly moving.

We sought to escape into a tranquil vision of the present moment, for it’s hard to return to reality after that. That moment represents the pinnacle of things. Essentially, it’s a song. In our production, Ashley isn’t just Ellie from the game; she’s also Ellie’s mother in our show. There’s an ethereal quality to the voice of the one who loved Ellie as deeply as Joel did. The lyrics of the song are not promising. Despite Jackson being saved and Ellie surviving, someone’s soul may be lost forever.

Week after week, fresh installments of “The Last of Us” Season 2 unfold on both HBO and Max, each one premiering at 9 PM Eastern Time every Sunday night.

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2025-04-26 16:09