The Last Of Us Boss Talks About The Heartbreaking Porch Scene In Episode 6 And The “Magical Take”

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Showrunner Craig Mazin recently delved into the saddest moment from the latest installment of The Last of Us on HBO, premiered on May 18th. (Be warned: This discussion might include major plot spoilers.)

In Episode 6, set in the past, there’s a significant moment when Ellie (Bella Ramsey) encounters Joel (Pedro Pascal) on the porch. During their deep discussion, Ellie presses Joel to verify if her conjectures about the events in Salt Lake City are accurate.

Ellie queries Joel about whether he indeed ended the lives of numerous individuals at the hospital, including Marlene, and if the medical professionals could’ve developed a remedy for the fungal disease. In response, Joel verifies all these facts, his eyes brimming with tears, leaving Ellie deeply dismayed by him. Part of her anger stems from the fact that she believes sacrificing her life in pursuit of a cure would have given it purpose.

Mazin shared with Collider that one scene was particularly captivating due to a special moment where they decided to let Bella and Pedro fully embrace the situation. Typically, such scenes are toned down during filming to avoid being too grandiose. However, Bella and Pedro don’t usually act in an exaggerated manner. They excel at underplaying their roles in a realistic, cool way. This scene was unusual because they went against that norm and fully engaged. Mazin said it was the right time to do so, but if it overstepped boundaries, it would overstep. Despite the risk, it exceeded everyone’s expectations.

According to Mazin, filming this specific scene proved difficult as Ramsey and Pascal share a strong bond of friendship, which often led them to look out for one another on set.

Mazin stated that the emotionally challenging tasks are abundant, but essentially, it’s about spending numerous days and investing time with someone. Over time, they become dependent on one another and develop feelings of affection. When you sense a goodbye approaching, it begins to resonate deep within you.

Mazin pointed out that a series similar to “The Last of Us” seldom appears, as the bond between its characters is deeply felt. This sense of connection was evident while filming, according to Mazin.

Such an extraordinary experience isn’t commonplace; it can happen at various stages in life, whether during your 40s or teenage years. The universe seems unpredictable, but for them, they’ve navigated this rather chaotic cultural era with this specific show, and you can sense it.

The second season of The Last of Us concludes this coming Sunday, May 25th. Already, there’s confirmation for a third season, with the creators hinting in a recent Collider interview that they may require a fourth season to bring the story to its conclusion.

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2025-05-19 22:39