The TV adaptation of “The Last of Us” fills in some gaps about Joel’s past, deviating from the video games not out of disrespect but to delve deeper into concepts and characters. While the game is heavily focused on cinematic cutscenes, it maintains an interactive element for players. The TV show, however, can concentrate on dialogue-driven scenes, providing a medium that complements and expands the story in ways a video game might not be able to.
The second season of “The Last of Us” television series has sparked some debate among fans, as they feel certain parts of the story have been modified too much. However, there appears to be a strategy behind these alterations, and viewers must decide for themselves if they approve. Given the deep affection for the “The Last of Us” video game series, any changes are bound to face scrutiny. Nonetheless, the show has generally received positive reviews, which is why HBO has already announced plans for a third season. The strong reception following the airing of the sixth episode in Season 2 certainly justifies their confidence.
The Last of Us Season 2 Reveals Joel’s Dad
The structure of Episode 6 from Season 2 of The Last of Us resembles that of the Bill and Frank episode from Season 1, with both deviating from the game’s narrative while preserving crucial moments significant for Ellie and Joel’s character arcs. This episode is a touching portrayal of their relationship in Jackson, focusing on the reasons for their falling out as well as the budding signs of reconciliation between them.
If you’re fond of the game, you’ll recognize many similarities. The series excels in its creative moments as well. Last week’s episode hinted at a significant flashback episode for Joel in The Last of Us. This episode predominantly focuses on Joel, reinforcing the recurring theme of perspective in Season 2. The story starts in Austin, Texas, in 1983, introducing us to young Joel and Tommy. It’s evident they’ve been up to mischief, with Joel prepared to take the blame as the elder sibling. Suddenly, their father, a police officer played by Tony Dalton, enters the scene, attempting to extract the truth from Joel. It’s obvious that this father is abusive, possibly even remorsefully so, in his attempts to discipline his children.
In a lengthy discussion about the cycle of violence that is inherited across generations and how each parent strives for improvement over their own, we get a close-up view of a watch belonging to Joel’s father. This very same timepiece is repaired by Joel’s daughter and worn by Joel throughout the apocalypse. However, there are no further scenes involving Joel’s dad, leaving us uncertain about the development of their relationship as Joel grew older or the significance of the watch to him. While it clearly belongs to his father, the connection between them seems complex, suggesting that the watch might not hold the sentimental value one would expect from a traditional family heirloom.
Indeed, the backstory presented in this scene is a valuable addition to Joel’s character development, appealing to fans of both the TV series and the game. In the game, we don’t delve too deeply into Joel’s past, so this scene offers an intriguing glimpse. It provides a welcome break from the post-apocalyptic setting that dominates the show, while still maintaining the story’s central themes. Whether we’ll witness more flashbacks like this in future episodes or seasons is uncertain, but given Joel’s role in the narrative has largely come to an end, it seems unlikely. Nevertheless, it was delightful to learn a bit more about Joel posthumously after his death in The Last of Us Season 2.
It’s important to mention that the same episode was both scripted and helmed by Neil Druckmann, who is known as the mastermind behind the games. Whether this character development for Joel has been a part of his original plan or if it was exclusively created for the TV series remains uncertain. Additionally, actor Darren Mann, who portrayed Dalton in this episode, has been chosen by Druckmann to lead the cast in his upcoming video game titled “Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.
What did you think of Joel’s dad in The Last of Us? Let me know in the comments.
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2025-05-19 05:13