‘The Last of Us’ Finale Recap: Season 1, Episode 9 — HBO

This finale is quite a short one, only 40+ minutes, but, coming from someone with minimal knowledge of the game (never played it, never watched walkthroughs), I think I actually liked the pace. Every scene was important, and the episode did not drag.Although the bond between Joel and Ellie didn't blossom overnight, this episode was good enough in showing that Ellie has grown on Joel, if not to clarify it.– Joel obviously cares for the girl now instead of just seeing her as mere cargo, even suggesting that they forget about the cure and head back to Tommy's.– He finally opens up to Ellie about his past, which he had adamantly denied any approach to the topic initially. Him implying that Ellie has healed him suggests that she has become someone as important to him as a daughter.

I like how they portray Joel's character development by contrasting him with similar situations from early episodes (even though the ones I detected were just his attitude towards Ellie):– for once, Joel is the ‘chattier’ one of the duo, and he's smiling more openly now.– He now actively asks for puns! (I get that he's trying to cheer Ellie up following the traumatic events in Silver Lake, but yeah, just thought it's worth mentioning XD)– When once he would have not allowed Ellie to touch a rifle, he now asks her to hold one for him.

Also, the parallelism?– Joel holding an unconscious Ellie in his arms almost the same way he held Sarah(perhaps this memory reinforced his resolution to not lose another ‘baby girl’ that he is willing to sacrifice the world)– Joel saying ‘I’m sorry’ immediately before the cut to the flashback of him pulling the trigger on Marlene, just like the soldier that shot at him and killed Sarah.*(maybe these also happened in the game, but I’m just referring to the series)

Joel going on a killing spree, emptying ammo and picking up guns from dead Fireflies is so video game. I love the detail of Joel shooting the surgeon in the head, who would have cracked Ellie's open and took out part of her brain.

Most of us know what would happen in season 2, Joel's decisions would bring consequences, and maybe this knowledge is what makes it all hit hard.

Also, giving roles to Troy Baker, Merle Dandridge, Ashley Johnson, and a cameo from Laura Bailey is such a nice touch.