The Last of Us, Season 2 Episode 6 Review | Highlights and Insights

The Last of Us

S2, EP06

‘The Price’

Joel may be gone but episode six brings his back for a beautifully tragic flashback, Joel’s memory lives on through Ellie and we get a glimpse into some of her moments with him. The episode takes us back four years, when Joel and Ellie first arrive in Jackson. The episode gives us a day from each year, Ellie’s birthday - we watch as Joel celebrates Ellie’s birthday and tries to make her birthday special each year amongst the chaos of the world around them. Although this episode has its beautiful, tearjerker moments in reality it is a brutally honest portrayal of Joel and his mistakes. As the episode transpires we realise why Ellie acted the way she did towards him before his demise and all our questions are answered. 

We also get an insight into Joel’s childhood, we meet Joel’s father. A tough police officer who Joel stands up to as a child, this scene was heartbreaking. This episode dipped its toe into the impact of generational trauma and the scars it leaves for years to come, I was moved by these moments and the idea of Joel wanting to do right by Ellie - trying to do better. 

To my understanding the space scene is a beloved moment for fans of the video game - I can understand why. This scene was absolutely, soul crushingly beautiful and I adored every moment. Watching Joel and Ellie venture through the forrest in search of a derelict museum was unforgettably brilliant, as they first encounter the abandoned dinosaur only to walk into the space centre. Joel has graciously planned and orchestrated the whole event, navigating Ellie in the right direction to give her the perfect birthday wish. As Ellie puts on her astronaut helmet and ventures inside the pod with Joel I knew we were going to be met with a touching moment - I was correct, now is when the first tears started to emerge. Watching as Joel gases onto Ellie, in deep happiness, with undeniable love for her, it broke my heart. Knowing everything Joel has done to protect Ellie, both good and bad, this moment summed it all up for me. 

As another birthday passes we notice Ellie growing up, distancing herself from her ‘dad’. She grows into a typical, irritating teenager, rebelling, getting tattoos and keeping secrets. Ellie is a complex kid, she’s grown up in a world of death and destruction, she doesn’t know anything else but Joel had a life before all this and more than anything, he wants his daughter back. Ellie is the closest thing Joel was ever going to get to a daughter and that realisation broke my heart, again. 

Soon we are caught up to the beginning of season two, four years have passed and we finally understand with certainty why Ellie was so mad at Joel. Firstly, we are given the full story behind the death of Eugene. As Ellie and Joel go on their first patrol together they are called on for help by a nearby patrol for help. As they approach, Eugene has been bitten and pleas with them to let him say goodbye to his wife. Ellie thinks that she has convinced Joel to take Eugene back to the community but instead he leads Eugene to the side of a lake and shoots him in the back of the head. 

Then, a pivotal moment follows when Ellie finally realises that Joel lied to her about what happened to Marlene and the Fireflies at Salt Lake. She confronts him, gets her answers and that is the final conversation between the two of them. 

This episode was backed with emotion, packing with acting with a capital A and packed with deep sadness. I was moved by Ellie and Joel’s relationship in this episode, I felt like we got a true insight into their development as family and their ultimately demise. I was utterly fascinated by this episode and felt it to be one of the strongest of the season, so far. Pedro Pascal was incomparable, utterly beautiful in his portrayal and his final moments at the end of the episode were faultless. A truly talented performer who gave us so much by saying so little. 

What an episode, holy shit. Be right back, I’m crying again. 

Probe Points

★★★★☆