The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 6 Fumble: Joel & Ellie Scene Changes Explained

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In a touching and nearly flawless tribute to Joel and Ellie (embodying the essence of the entire series), The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 6 unfolds as an intensely emotional journey… but there’s just one minor irritant.

In the sixth installment, you’ll find some of the game’s most poignant scenes, including when Joel plays ‘Future Days’ for Ellie (though it may seem a bit inconsistent with the storyline) and their memorable birthday excursion to the museum, which includes a recording of the Apollo launch.

Following a brief diversion to delve into the tragic tale of Eugene, Gail’s deceased husband who was fatally attacked by Joel following a bite during patrol, the narrative then shifts back to a tense scene: Joel, now solo, seated on his porch after he shielded Ellie from Seth.

If you haven’t played The Last of Us, it might seem like Ellie left angrily. However, this wasn’t the case, and they shared a profound, enlightening conversation just before Joel passed away.

The Last of Us Season 2 changes the most important Joel & Ellie scene

In the rhythm of ‘Helplessly Hoping’, Joel plays his guitar as Ellie initially passes him by. However, she returns, and from that moment, the events that follow closely mirror those in the game. Ellie queries his coffee, to which he confides his embarrassment over what he traded for it. She then requests he cease joining her on patrols, and they engage in conversation about Dina.

After Ellie calls me a jerk, I realize she’s onto my lie about the Fireflies at the hospital. By now, she’s discovered proof of my actions, and in a heated moment, she tells me, “I was meant to die… My life would have had purpose if it hadn’t been for you.” (This version tries to convey the same meaning but with a first-person perspective from the character, making it more relatable and immersive for the reader.)

In Episode 6, following Joel’s unexpected killing of Eugene (when he had previously vowed not to until the opportune moment arrived), Ellie builds up enough courage to urge Joel to reveal the truth… and he does so.

There’s additional conversation that enhances the scene. Joel explains to Ellie that his actions are driven by love for her, a feeling that might be hard for her to comprehend… or perhaps she never will.

If that day arrives and you end up having a child someday, I sincerely hope you manage it more successfully than I did. This statement is reminiscent of the scene featuring him and his father at the beginning of this episode.

Why The Last of Us just made a big mistake

In terms of the narrative progression from Season 2 and deviations compared to The Last of Us Part 2, Episode 6’s portrayal of Joel and Ellie’s scene holds logical consistency. Regardless of his demise, it reconciles their conflict; as he breathed his last, Joel understood that Ellie didn’t harbor hatred for him, and she was ready to extend forgiveness in an attempt to heal their relationship.

Being a lover of these games, it’s challenging not to draw parallels between the series and its superior precursor. Generally, I consider them distinct, yet harmonious renditions of the tale; however, this instance has stirred feelings of annoyance in me.

The interaction between Joel and Ellie occurs at the absolute closing point of Part 2. It follows directly after the resolution of Ellie and Abby’s storyline (no worries, no spoilers here), and it delivers a heart-wrenching, powerful emotional impact that leaves you breathless.

Essentially, Ellie and Joel’s encounter before facing their grim destiny underscores their reconciliation and mirrors the primary theme of the story: love transcends even hate, and it’s incredibly poignant. This moment is not bitter but rather sweet, striking you with a force as powerful as a train.

The show shouldn’t strictly follow the game’s sequence; its unique half-and-half structure is effective within that medium but might not have been well-received on television. However, taking one of the most impactful Joel and Ellie scenes from both games and using it as a plot device – revealing Joel’s truth – which could have developed differently, seems like an unnecessary sacrifice, a weight that may go unnoticed by casual viewers.

Instead of focusing on whether they could move this scene ahead, they neglected to consider whether they should. (Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin)

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2025-05-19 05:18