Viewers are ‘sobbing so aggressively’ after gutting return of beloved TV character
Grab your tissues and buckle in.
The Last of Us fans have been left emotionally reeling after Pedro Pascal’s return as the late Joel Miller in the new episode.
Spoilers ahead for The Last of Us season two episode six.
The flashback episode poignantly explored the relationship between Joeland Bella Ramsey’s character Ellie who forge a heart-wrenching (and messy) father-daughter dynamic in a post-apocalyptic wasteland.
Show lovers were already completely destroyed after Joel died earlier this season (even if it had been foretold by the video games the show is based on) just after Ellie trust in Joel is shattered after discovering he forsook humanity to save her.
Now, creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, are rubbing salt in the wound with the return of Pedro’s character through a series of flashbacks including snippets from Ellie’s birthday and the fateful moment on the porch the night before his murder.
As Druckmann revealed to Hollywood Reporter, we get to see Joel and Ellie ‘one more time’ as ‘the happiest they’ve ever been, maybe the saddest they’ve been with each other, and the angriest they’ve ever been’.
This episode is an emotional doozy (Picture: HBO/Max) Fans have been sent to tears with the series of flashbacks (Picture: HBO/Max)In that last conversation on the porch they finally have a chance to process Joel’s decision to save Ellie even if it means they may never find a cure for the fungal pandemic that’s wiped everyone out.
Just as season one’s Long, Long Time became the standout episode of the show (if not the year), The Price seems to be the season two version that has shaken fans to their core.
Not least Joel’s confession of the magnitude of his love for Ellie encapsulated by the line: ‘Because I love you, in a way you can’t understand. maybe you never will,’ to justify his actions which he would do all over again.
‘That’s one of – if not the best episode of the series and also just one of the best episodes of television I’ve ever seen. The story of Joel and Ellie is beautifully tragic,’ LucasNoShot wrote on X.
‘Porch scene almost word for word from the game. I sobbed so aggressively as if I didn’t know what was coming. Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey are just so good together,’ Nora Dominick added.
Just like Joel, we were all sobbing on the sofa (Picture: HBO) We get to see Joel and Ellie, one more time (Picture: HBO)‘The whole porch scene was such a masterclass of acting by both Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey. They did such an incredible job with bringing this scene to life. Joel’s love for Ellie will always leave me in tears,’ Giselle declared.
‘Being a fan of the game, I didn’t expect all the flashbacks to be put in one episode, but it was so beautifully done. I appreciate that new ones were written in to this that weren’t in the game. Pedro and Bella are just a fantastic duo. Many tears were shed,’ Michelle Reed reflected.
‘Ok so where’s his emmy, golden globe, critics choice, and all the other awards this man deserves for this performance,’ Tabby asked.
His death earlier in the season emotionally destroyed fans, and now there is a second wave of grief (Picture: HBO)‘The Porch scene had me in tears!!! It was done so perfectly!!! Pedro and Bella are just incredible,’ Jacob agreed.
‘That was……a perfect episode. Although I’m gonna need to recover,’ Scotslad echoed.
‘Between pedro’s performances in his “i’m failing in my sleep” monologue in season 1 and the porch scene in season 2, no one deserves an emmy and more recognition for bringing a character to life so beautifully than he does for Joel Miller,’ Tarrin shared.
Discussing the approach to shooting the porch scene, Druckmann added to THR: ‘ I remember the day of shooting, I pulled Pedro and Bella aside and mentioned how important the scene is and how powerful it can be, and how important it is for their characters.
‘Specifically, “This is your last conversation with each other. You’ve been withholding all this stuff, all these questions, so hold nothing back.””
The Last of Us is available to stream on Sky and Now TV in the UK.
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