The Last of Us Season Two, Episode Six: ‘Many Happy Returns’ of Joel
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The popular post-apocalyptic drama, The Last of Us, has been captivating audiences worldwide with its gripping storyline and strong character development. The show, which premiered in 2023, was quickly renewed for a second season, leaving fans speculating about how the showrunners, Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, would approach the adaptation of the second video game. According to The Guardian, the showrunners chose to remain faithful to the video game by jumping five years ahead and brutally killing off Joel in the early running.
In the latest episode, ‘Many Happy Returns’, the show took a scenic route, shading in some details of what happened in the interim between Joel and Ellie’s journey. The episode was an extended flashback, tracking the ebb and flow of Joel and Ellie’s relationship as she matured from a rebellious young teen to an even more rebellious older teen. As noted by The Guardian, “It would certainly be an easy way to eke another lucrative season or three out of the source material.”
The episode began with a flashback to Austin, Texas, in 1983, where young Joel and Tommy stress about their father coming home. The scene revealed that Joel’s father, Mr Miller, was a cop who tried to break the cycle of violence by not sending his sons to the hospital. As The Guardian reported, “His vengeful father broke his jaw with one punch. He is clearly aware that raising his hands to his own sons is perpetuating a cycle of violence.”
The episode then jumped ahead to two months after Joel and Ellie got back to Jackson Hole at the end of season one. Joel was preparing a surprise for Ellie’s 15th birthday, trading salvaged Legos for a cake and materials to restore an acoustic guitar. However, the celebration was interrupted by Tommy rushing an injured Ellie back to the house. According to The Guardian, “While working in the settlement’s kitchen she badly burned her forearm on a cooking pot. It’s obvious Ellie did this deliberately to obscure the suspicious bite mark on her arm.”
The episode continued to jump ahead in time, showing Joel and Ellie’s relationship evolve over the years. On her 16th birthday, Joel took Ellie on a ramble to a ruined Wyoming museum, where she could see an actual Apollo space capsule. As noted by The Guardian, “Her joy is palpable.” On her 17th birthday, Joel’s attempt to surprise Ellie with a cake ended in disaster, with Ellie having started dating and getting a tattoo.
The episode took another significant turn when Joel and Ellie went on patrol together, resulting in a confrontation with an infected attack. They encountered Eugene, who had been bitten and wanted to say goodbye to his wife before turning. As reported by The Guardian, “Under pressure from Ellie, Joel agrees to help. But after he sends Ellie to retrieve their horses it seems that his plan all along was to escort the doomed Eugene to the shore of a peaceful lake and shoot him there.”
The episode ended with a time jump to nine months later, showing the New Year’s Eve shindig from the opening episode. The scene showed the dancefloor confrontation between homophobic Seth and Ellie and Dina from Joel’s point of view. As The Guardian noted, “But we also see more of the aftermath, as he and Ellie have a bruising heart-to-heart on their porch.”
The Guardian’s analysis of the episode highlighted the character development of Joel and Ellie, stating, “There is still room to end on an unlikely glimmer of hope. ‘I don’t think I can forgive you for this,’ says Ellie. ‘But I would like to try.'” The article concluded, “Is it uplifting to know that our heroes could have rebuilt their relationship? Or is it even more heartbreaking to hear with the foreknowledge that Joel is fated to die the very next day?”
In conclusion, The Last of Us Season Two, Episode Six, ‘Many Happy Returns’, was a thought-provoking and emotionally charged episode that provided insight into Joel and Ellie’s relationship. The episode’s use of flashbacks and time jumps effectively showcased the characters’ growth and development. As reported by The Guardian, the show has managed to balance action and drama, keeping audiences engaged and invested in the storyline.
The episode also featured a notable performance from Joe Pantoliano and a brief appearance by Tony Dalton. According to The Guardian, Dalton will also star in the forthcoming PlayStation 5 game Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet from The Last of Us creators Naughty Dog.
Fans of the show can look forward to the season finale, which seems to be approaching quickly. The Guardian’s coverage of The Last of Us provides an in-depth analysis of the show, and readers can share their thoughts on the episode on The Guardian’s website.
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