This review contains full spoilers for episode six of The Last of Us, now available to view on HBO Max.
Verdict: 8/10
Following an exciting episode last week, The Last of Us has course diverted with an hour long episode dedicated to character development and world building. Viewers are given a deeper understanding of Tommy and the town of Jackson alongside a demonstration of how this apocalyptic world has impacted Joel’s mental state.
Before we make our way into Jackson and see Joel and Tommy reunite. Joel and Ellie travel to Wyoming, where they are introduced to two new characters in The Last of Us universe. played by Graham Greene and Elaine Miles. The couple who are being held captive by Joel and Ellie warn our main characters that the surrounding area and past the Western River is an area of death, everyone that passes through does not make it back. The characters played by Graham and Elaine are funny and memorable, despite their short screen time.
One of the noticeable differences between the episode and the game is the limited screen time we get to spend with Joel and Ellie. Despite the brief but memorable interaction with the Native American couple, we are quickly propelled into the main storyline of the episode. This slight deviation from the game’s emphasis on character-building and exploration can be a challenging pill to swallow for die-hard fans who have come to love and cherish the in-depth characterization and relationships of Joel and Ellie that is found in the gameplay segments of the game.
After a brief trek, a band of horseback riders wielding weaponry holds Joel and Ellie at gunpoint. The group uses a dog to detect if they are infected. The tension really builds during this moment however it quickly dissipates when the dog takes a massive liking to Ellie and makes her laugh unconceivably. After this, a woman approaches Joel and asks, “What’s your name?” She immediately recognizes the similarities and escorts the group back to Jackson. .
Finally, after a long and grueling journey, the moment arrives where Tommy and Joel reunite. Their embrace is heartwarming and emotional, leaving viewers feeling warm and fuzzy inside. It’s in Jackson that we discover that the woman who recognized Joel is none other than Tommy’s wife, Maria.
Jackson is depicted as a haven of peace and order, where the community works together to achieve common goals. Everyone plays their part, contributing to the greater good of the community. When Joel suggests that the community’s approach sounds a lot like communism, Maria quickly corrects him, stating that they are, in fact, communists. This declaration leaves Tommy, the stoic and quintessential American war hero, in disbelief.
After finally reuniting, Tommy and Joel sit down to catch up on lost time. However, things take a turn for the worse when they accidentally say something to upset each other. Joel, unable to handle the tension, storms out of the bar and finds himself struggling to keep his emotions in check.
As he wanders the streets, he suddenly spots a woman with hair just like his late daughter’s. The sight of her triggers a painful memory and causes Joel to experience heart palpitations and intense fear. He needs to take a moment to compose himself and regain control of his emotions. In the meantime, Ellie who has spent time with Maria invites her to the movies, where the commune has set up a projector and is showing some old films, providing a much-needed moment of levity and escape from the harsh realities of their world. Watching the movies together is yet another example of the community’s commitment to creating a sense of normalcy and peace in their lives.
Tommy and Joel finally make-up and have a heart-to-heart conversation. Joel confides in Tommy that he cannot take Ellie to the fireflies, and the reason behind the pairs adventure to Jackson. He expresses his fear of losing Ellie, after failing to protect her when Sam attacked her, and when the dog almost tracked her infection earlier in the episode..
Unknown to Joel and Tommy, Ellie overhears the entire conversation. Ellie who has largely struggled with people in her life leaving her is obviously upset as Joel approaches,. The audience can feel her pain as she hears Joel say, “You’re not my daughter, and I sure as hell ain’t your dad.” This moment is a gut-wrenching rendition of the confrontation between Ellie and Joel found in the game.
The scene is powerful as it shows the depth of emotion that the characters are feeling. Joel is struggling with his fear of losing another daughter figure, while Ellie is devastated to learn that Joel sees her as nothing more than a job. The conversation is a turning point for the two characters and sets the stage for the rest of the series.
The following morning, Tommy and Ellie proceed towards the stable, only to be confronted by Joel who has made a sudden reappearance. He admits to them that he had planned to leave but ended up staying for another 30 minutes as he was conflicted about his decision. At this point, Joel presents Ellie with a choice: accompany Tommy or stay with him. Ellie instinctively picks Joel, and the duo head towards the university where the last known location of the Fireflies is located. However, on their way, they are ambushed by a group of strangers, and in the ensuing fight, Joel sustains a severe stab wound to his stomach after managing to kill one of the attackers.
The episode concludes with a poignant shot of Ellie standing over the gravely injured Joel as he lays motionless. She utters, “I can’t do this without you. Joel, please.” The episode is then brought to a close with a haunting rendition of Depeche Mode’s “Never Let Me Down Again, ends the episode, leaving viewers on an emotional cliffhanger.
Verdict: 8/10
Overall, In this episode of The Last of Us the emotional depth and character development are particularly strong, staying true to the direction of the original game. One of the main highlights is the added depth to Joel’s character, as we see him struggle with the trauma of losing his daughter and the fear of losing Ellie, who has become a surrogate daughter to him. Through his interactions with Tommy, his brother and fellow survivor, we gain a greater understanding of Joel’s backstory and the family dynamics that have shaped him.
The episode delivers an emotionally charged and compelling story that stays true to the spirit of the game. The added depth to the characters and themes gives viewers a greater appreciation for the complexities of this world and the people who inhabit it. This episode is a solid 8/10, and sets the stage for an even more thrilling and heart-wrenching story to come.