Warning: Contains SPOILERS for The Last of Us season 2, episode 6!
The latest installment of The Last of Us, season 2, episode 6, has arrived and it presents a significant shift in narrative. Previously, the season has centered around Ellie’s intense journey of vengeance against Abby, who murdered Joel in episode 2. However, this episode steps away from the primary storyline and delves into poignant flashbacks that reveal memories from Joel and Ellie’s past.
This sixth episode kicks off with a flashback to 1983, showcasing a moment between a young Joel, Tommy, and their father. It then transitions into a sequence of nostalgic events that bridge the timeline between seasons 1 and 2 of The Last of Us. Each flashback is tied to Ellie’s birthdays, highlighting their evolving relationship. The vignettes include moments such as Joel gifting Ellie a guitar, taking her to a museum, having her first tattoo, and finally, a patrol outing they share together. A pivotal scene occurs after season 2, episode 1, which captures Joel revealing the truth about his actions in Salt Lake City to Ellie.
Joel Reveals the Truth About Salt Lake City Post-New Year’s Eve Dance
Ellie Aware of the Fireflies’ True Fate
Throughout season 2 of The Last of Us, a lingering question has been whether Ellie is aware of the deception Joel fed her, concerning the tragic events at Salt Lake City. In the season 1 finale, Joel’s drastic decisions to save Ellie included eliminating the Fireflies. Although he obfuscated the truth, Ellie has begun piecing together inconsistencies in his narrative, leading her to catalog her questions regarding the Fireflies that she reads during episode 6.
Before Ellie could confront Joel about these discrepancies, a flashback involving Eugene unfolds, culminating in their fall-out. However, following a distressing incident at a New Year’s Eve celebration, where Joel confronts Seth, Ellie finds another opportunity to question him about the Fireflies. In a tense moment, she challenges Joel, prompting him to unveil the full truth. Ellie expresses a desire to forgive him but is uncertain if she can, leaving their relationship tense, which is tragically unaddressed when Joel meets his demise.
Understanding the Significance of Joel’s 1983 Flashback
The Connection to Ellie
The episode opens with a look back at Joel’s childhood, expressing his fear of familial violence and hinting at his traumatic upbringing. Joel fears a beating from his father, who reflects on past experiences and admits to his shortcomings as a parent. This early flashback lays the groundwork for Joel’s complex relationship with Ellie, illuminating how those experiences have formed his parental instincts.
By episode’s end, after revealing his secrets to Ellie, Joel repeats his father’s wish that Ellie aims for improvement in life. He may not expect perfection from her, but he hopes she will learn from his past mistakes. This powerful sentiment showcases the weight of generational influence and Joel’s desire for Ellie to forge her own path.
The Significance of Joel’s “Future Days”Song
The Song’s Setup for Ellie
The Importance of Joel & Ellie’s Museum Adventure
Discovering Joel’s True Gift
The subsequent flashback illustrates a surprise trip to an abandoned museum, mirroring a scene from The Last of Us Part II. Joel invites Ellie to enter a space capsule and plays a tape of an actual rocket launch. This experience allows Ellie to embrace her childhood, providing a brief escape from the grim world occupied by Infected beings. Joel’s thoughtful gesture reinforces his desire for Ellie to reclaim some semblance of a normal life amidst chaos.
How Eugene’s Demise Led to Conflict Between Ellie & Joel
Ellie’s Honesty
Another significant flashback portrays Joel and Ellie on patrol. They respond to reports of an attack by a horde of Infected, only to discover a grim scene with the lone survivor identified as Eugene, who is gravely injured. The tense situation escalates when Joel shoots Eugene, casting a dark shadow over the duo’s relationship. When they later return to Jackson, Joel lies about what transpired regarding Eugene’s wife, Gail, leading Ellie to divulge the truth to her. This breach of trust exacerbates the rift between Ellie and Joel, ultimately being the catalyst for their fallout.
Ellie’s Escape from Lakehill Back to the Theater
The Role of Spores
The episode wraps up by returning to the current timeline, depicting Ellie’s harrowing journey through Seattle back to the theater. This occurs after her encounter with Nora, where she resorts to violence in a moment of survival. Notably, the show omits the details of her escape from Lakehill, which could indicate she utilized the spore-infested areas to avoid detection by the WLF and Seraphites. Thus far, viewers have only seen fleeting glimpses of Ellie’s return, sparking curiosity that may be further explored in the upcoming episodes of The Last of Us.