Rewrite:
So, like, I try to kick off these recaps with some funny jokes and gags that everyone, whether you love or hate The Last of Us season two, can enjoy. It’s supposed to set a welcoming and chill vibe before I dive into critiquing an episode. But man, this week, I’m just not feeling it. I’ve been putting off writing about the sixth episode because it’s one of those sappy, dramatic episodes that usually hooks viewers and gets award show buzz. But it’s also one of the most nauseating adaptations of the original work the show has given us so far. This is where all of showrunner Craig Mazin’s weird creative choices collide like a 10-car pileup, resulting in a complete distortion of the most important scene in all of The Last of Us Part II.
Almost the entire episode is told through flashbacks that, in the game, were sprinkled throughout Ellie’s revenge journey in Seattle. But here, they’re all crammed into a single hour of TV. The episode starts with a new scene of a young Joel and Tommy in their home before the cordyceps fungus became a thing. It’s 1983, and Tommy tearfully tells Joel that he’s scared of their dad coming home and getting mad. Joel promises to take the blame for whatever Tommy did and sends him to his room. When their dad, Officer Miller, arrives, he’s not exactly warm to Joel. Instead of punishment, he shares a story about his own abusive father, justifying his own actions. This scene is meant to give insight into Joel’s past, but it just comes off as a weak excuse for his later actions.
Throughout the episode, we see Joel’s efforts to give Ellie a better life in Jackson. He carves a guitar for her birthday and takes her to a museum to fuel her passion for space. But as the episode progresses, we see cracks in their relationship. Ellie burns off her infected bite mark, indicating her desire to move on from her past. Joel’s past actions come back to haunt him when he lies to Ellie about taking a man back to his wife before he turns into a zombie. This betrayal ultimately leads to a confrontation between Ellie and Joel, where she demands the truth about what happened in Salt Lake City. Joel confesses, but the moment falls flat with forced dialogue and over-explanation.
As the episode ends, we’re brought back to the present day, with Ellie on a path of revenge in rainy Seattle. The episode tries to set the stage for future conflicts and resolutions, but the heavy-handed writing and rushed revelations leave much to be desired. The show’s attempt to expand on the game’s narrative ultimately falls short, leaving viewers with a sense of predictability and a lack of tension moving forward. But hey, at least we got some emotional moments and a glimpse into Joel and Ellie’s complicated relationship, right?
