‘The Last of Us’ Season 2, Episode 6: The root of Ellie’s anger and estrangement
This story contains many spoilers for “The Last of Us” Season 2, Episode 6.
In the first five episodes of “The Last of Us,” viewers have been introduced to fresh dangers and a significant character demise, remaining faithful to its video game origin. As it delves deeper into its second season on HBO, the series continues to mirror its title by sending protagonists Ellie (Bella Ramsey) and Dina (Isabela Merced) on a quest for vengeance from their fortified Wyoming outpost towards Seattle in search of Joel’s murderer, Abby (Kaitlyn Dever). However, the Pacific Northwest poses threats beyond the brain-eating Cordyceps fungus and ruthless antagonists. The tense confrontations between the Washington Liberation Front and the fanatical religious group known as the Seraphites complicate Ellie’s mission even further, making the series’ visuals increasingly grisly.
In Episode 6, we delved into Joel’s past through a series of flashbacks, shedding light on his exceptional parenting methods, the incident causing the rift between him and Ellie, and the fate of Gail’s husband, Eugene (played by Joe Pantoliano). During a patrol, Eugene was bitten by an infected. Moved by compassion, Ellie asked Joel not to kill Eugene until he could bid farewell to his wife. However, when Ellie temporarily stepped away to fetch their horses, Joel found himself unable to keep the promise.
Similar to Episode 3 of Season 1, yesterday’s episode of the series delved deeper into the characters’ narratives rather than strictly following the game’s storyline. The episode focused on Ellie’s birthday celebrations starting from when she was 15 and progressing through subsequent ones, highlighting the evolution in the dynamic between the main characters – a bond between an orphan and her adoptive guardian that transformed from strong to almost strained.
Lorraine Ali, Tracy Brown, and Mary McNamara convened to share thoughts on the recently aired suspenseful episode laden with spores.
User: In “The Last of Us,” we have zombies and cults, but what truly scares me in Season 2 is the challenge of raising a teenager! The main theme in Episode 6 focuses on the complex relationship between Joel and Ellie, and the potential for passing down generational pain. We get a glimpse into Joel’s tough upbringing, although I felt there could have been more detail provided.
As a devoted cinema enthusiast, I’ve got to say, it seems like we’re seeing an overwhelming amount of Ellie’s hostility towards Joel, which can be quite draining, perhaps not the effect the showrunners intended. Don’t get me wrong, there’s plenty of frustration within Ellie as she navigates her turbulent journey into adulthood amidst this desolate, hopeless wasteland with a man who’s both protector and deceiver. However, now that Ellie’s taken the reins as the series protagonist, I yearn for more layers to her character than just the occasional bursts of anger and contempt. Given the intricate bond they share, I believe there’s a rich tapestry of emotions waiting to be explored beyond her recurring displays of ire.
Joel’s actions were a sacrifice for her safety, yet it sealed humanity’s fate. Such an event, steeped in sorrow, should stir profound feelings, even within a rebellious teen who struggles with emotional expression. However, those layers or subtleties seemed absent to me, despite the series setting the stage for such poignant moments. The memories of Ellie’s birthday parties with Joel appeared more as explanations of their growing rift rather than heartfelt glimpses into the reasons behind it. Perhaps I’ve grown accustomed to the unexpected depth and charm of Season 1? I yearn for the fear and delight of that deserted mall once again.
Television
In Episode 4 of Season 2, director Kate Herron delves into the relationship between Ellie and Dina, focusing on a significant moment in the “Take on Me” sequence. The episode also introduces an outbreak of infected individuals in the subway system and presents Jeffrey Wright’s character, Isaac, for the first time.
Lorraine, the abandoned mall seems significant to Ellie’s character, in my opinion. Whether it’s due to the countless hours spent playing as Ellie in “The Last of Us” series or because I resonate more with being an angsty teenager than a parent, Episode 6 offers some insights into Ellie and Joel’s actions and relationship.
In Episode 4, Ellie expressed her frustrations about being immune to the Cordyceps fungus to Dina, wishing at times she wasn’t. More recently, we discover that one of Ellie’s main grievances towards Joel stems from his deception about what transpired with the Fireflies in Salt Lake City. However, her anger isn’t solely due to this; it’s also because Joel took away the one thing she believed could make her life meaningful—the purpose her immunity offered. In a poignant moment on their porch, Ellie tells Joel, “My life would have mattered, but you took that from me.” This seemingly final conversation between them highlights her feelings.
It’s clear that Joel’s character was heavily influenced by his failure to rescue his daughter Sarah at the onset of the outbreak, a burden he carries. As for Ellie, it seems like the loss that struck her hardest was Riley and the guilt of surviving their journey to the abandoned mall. Had she not been immune, Ellie would have perished alongside her best friend and first love that day. Since she did survive, she sought a purpose to explain why she’s still among the living in a world plagued by a pandemic. What greater sense of purpose could one find in such a devastated world than becoming the key to finding a cure for mankind?
Television
Jesse makes an appearance in ‘The Last of Us’ Season 2, Episode 5. In an exclusive interview, young actor Mazino discusses the significance of Jesse’s comeback, shares his thoughts on the relationship between Ellie and Dina, and expresses his views on the theme of revenge.
McNamara: I’m thankful for the episode, mainly because it provided more Pedro Pascal – something my own teenagers had been eagerly anticipating. (I share their longing, though not quite as intensely.) As you pointed out, Tracy, survivor’s guilt is indeed a powerful feeling, and now Ellie finds herself facing another heavy emotional load – Joel was sacrificed for actions taken to protect her life.
Rewinding through Ellie’s birthdays offered a heartwarming experience, showing the transformation in both characters over time. The tough Joel from Season 1 morphed into the emotionally tormented therapy attendee of Season 2. It was intriguing to see why Ellie initially acted so brusque and dismissive towards him. She had always been aware that he deceived her about Salt Lake City, and he suspected she knew – gifts like the museum trip appeared to be both a token of love and an apology for his deceit.
I too enjoyed their visit to the space exhibit at the museum, as it served as a reminder that our history can be as transient as any advanced civilization that has come before us, leaving remnants behind. For Joel, traveling from Wyoming to Seattle was just as challenging as humans venturing into space once were; for Ellie, each moment spent with Joel felt like a leap through time. In essence, they were always each other’s time-travelers in their lives.
As a movie critic, I found myself deeply moved by the resolution in this episode. It shed light on Ellie’s feelings towards Joel, which had been left hanging after Abby’s actions disrupted everything. The truth between them was finally revealed – Ellie’s struggle with forgiveness and Joel’s remorse. Her desire to forgive despite her initial thoughts, coupled with the fact that he was taken away before she could find her way to forgiveness, undeniably fuels some of her rage, doesn’t it?
Television
In Episode 3, the actor delves into the consequences of Joel’s demise, shares insights about the development of the emotional farewell scene between Tommy, and explains why he strives to steer clear of clichéd character portrayals.
Ali: Alright, I must admit that I’m feeling rather detached, given we’re delving into an episode meant to tug at our heartstrings. It’s wonderful to see that Season 2 is striking a chord with you both, as well as countless HBO and Max subscribers. But I can’t help but wonder, is it HBO Max or just plain old HBO? In any case, this season isn’t striking a chord with my grown-up self or my rebellious teenage side – the aspects of me that often lead to impulsive decisions and slouchy posture. However, I can’t help but appreciate the chemistry between Ellie and Dina. Their strong bond and unwavering love for each other is a standout aspect of Season 2. And it seems they’re about to embark on parenthood now.
Just as Ellie stated, she’s becoming a father! The transformation of Ellie and Dina’s bond throughout the series has been one of my favorite aspects that sets it apart from the game. However, let’s discuss the game for a moment. The museum trip on Ellie’s birthday and the porch conversation where Ellie expresses her desire to forgive Joel, as suggested by Mary, are significant flashback scenes directly taken from “The Last of Us Part II” with some alterations. In the game, Ellie and Joel initially explore a dinosaur exhibit before moving on to the space exploration exhibit, which I must admit, I was disappointed not to see in the series. The confrontation between Ellie and Joel about the truth regarding Salt Lake is a distinct scene that occurs much earlier than the porch conversation in the game.
One significant distinction between “The Last of Us Part II” game and the show lies in the storylines surrounding characters, Eugene and Gail. In the game, Eugene was an elderly resident of Jackson who passed away naturally, offering a glimpse of a peaceful life that younger generations can only aspire to. Conversely, Gail is a new character, and her introduction sparked excitement, especially with Catherine O’Hara on board. Catherine O’Hara’s presence is always joyful, and it seems like the characters in “The Last of Us” could benefit from her therapeutic skills. However, in Episode 6, we discover that Eugene and Gail’s story plays a crucial role in the growing estrangement between Joel and Ellie.
Previously, we learned that Joel was responsible for Eugene’s death through a therapy session with Gail during this season. What were your thoughts on the entire scene depicting this event, Mary? Did it influence your perception of Joel or Ellie in any manner?
McNamara: Essentially, what we witnessed was poor parenting. The patrol enforces rules, albeit strict ones for the wellbeing of our neighborhood. Ellie, being immune as she is, attempted to bend these rules. It was a typical power struggle between parent and child. Instead of simply denying her request and threatening Eugene before shooting him, Joel let her think she was getting her way, which was quite foolish. Of course he was going to shoot Eugene; it was inevitable. However, it didn’t make sense to lie about it, especially since the truth would be revealed almost immediately. At times, being a parent means playing the villain, even if it angers Catherine O’Hara.
While I concur with your views on Ellie and Dina’s display of love instead of revenge during their trip to Seattle, I can’t help but feel that it would have added depth to the story if O’Hara had been included as well.
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2025-05-19 05:31