Last of Us S2: Did You Catch This Secret Voice?

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Just released the second episode, and it’s just as emotionally wrenching for viewers as it was for players of the original game. A particularly harrowing scene depicts Kaitlyn Dever’s Abby mercilessly killing Pedro Pascal’s Joel Miller in full view of Bella Ramsey’s Ellie.

At the end of the screen time for Pascal, there’s a poignant and sorrowful scene that leaves viewers spellbound, perhaps causing them to overlook a brief appearance. In the backdrop of the episode, the haunting melody of Shawn James’ 2012 folk song “Through The Valley” echoes. Interestingly, the singer was none other than Ellie’s actress from the game and her on-screen mother, Ashley Johnson.

In the second game back in 2017, it was singer Johnson who performed James’ song, and he reprised his performance during Sunday night’s episode. This wasn’t the first time Johnson made an appearance on the series; he also had a voice-only role in Season 1. Although she didn’t appear on screen, her voice still left a lasting impression. Craig Mazin, one of the co-showrunners for The Last of Us, revealed that the song was a combination of Johnson’s original recording and a new version he recorded for the show.

Ashley Johnson Had a Secret Cameo

During an interview, Mazin expressed that he’s always been fond of the song. He recalled the release trailer and how it affected both his mind and heart. Additionally, they have a bond with Ashley not just because she developed Ellie in the game but also because she portrays Ellie’s mother. In such poignant moments, when you lose your only parent and the parent you’ve never known is watching over, it feels particularly intriguing.

The Last of Us Season 2 is streaming now on Max, with new episodes dropping weekly.

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2025-04-21 17:35