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The Last of Us season 2 episode 6 preview teases that it isn't last of Joel yet

The Last of Us season 2 episode 6 delivers fresh insights into Joel’s past.
  • Pedro Pascal at arrivals for THE LAST OF US Season 2 Premiere, TCL Chinese Theatre, Los Angeles, CA, March 24, 2025. Photo By: Priscilla Grant/Everett Collection
    Pedro Pascal at arrivals for THE LAST OF US Season 2 Premiere, TCL Chinese Theatre, Los Angeles, CA, March 24, 2025. Photo By: Priscilla Grant/Everett Collection

    As fans brace for the midpoint of Season 2, HBO has dropped a tantalizing preview of The Last of Us season 2 episode 6 that hints Joel may not be gone for good. The trailer, released online ahead of its May 18 debut, promises an emotional, flashback-driven hour that will bridge the gap between Ellie’s past and present struggles. Viewers last saw the hardened survivor meet a brutal end in episode 2, leaving Ellie’s story in tatters and the audience reeling.

    But as the episode 5 finale fades to black, Ellie awakens in her room to find him standing in the doorway – a moment that clearly signals more of Pedro Pascal’s character to come. Rather than resurrecting Joel in the present timeline, the preview teases a standalone flashback outing set between Seasons 1 and 2.

    Titled “Scars,” the episode appears to delve deep into Ellie’s formative memories of loss, love, and betrayal on a journey that fans of the game will recognize. Early glimpses show Ellie’s birthday trip to the Wyoming Museum of Science and History and a tense path to uncovering the truth about what transpired at Salt Lake City Hospital. With familiar game moments and brand-new emotional beats, this installment is shaping up to be a highlight of the show’s sophomore arc.

     


    Episode 6 confirms Joel’s final act isn’t over yet

    Episode 6, aptly titled “Scars,” directly addresses whether this truly is the last of Joel by weaving his presence back into the narrative through a series of flashbacks. According to HBO’s official synopsis, the entire episode is a deep dive into the father-daughter bond between Joel and Ellie, set in the five-year gap before his death in Season 2’s second installment.

    Rather than altering the established timeline, the showrunners have framed these sequences as memories that shed light on Ellie’s motivations and the emotional fallout of her father figure’s final days. Series co-creator Craig Mazin previously hinted that Joel’s influence would persist beyond his demise, and this preview appears to fulfill that promise by granting viewers extended time with Pedro Pascal’s character in a narrative bottle episode.

    The flashbacks are not merely nostalgic callbacks; they serve to answer lingering questions—why Ellie harbored such anger toward Joel, and how the events at the Fireflies’ hospital fractured their relationship. We also get teasing shots of Ellie strumming her guitar in moonlit rooms and solemn conversations in dimly lit corridors, underlining the show’s commitment to character-driven storytelling. By spotlighting Joel in this retrospective format, the episode reassures audiences that, while he may be gone from the present timeline, his story—and his impact on Ellie—remains at the heart of the show.

     


    Diving deeper: What else to expect in episode 6

    Beyond Joel’s poignant return in memory, The Last of Us season 2 episode 6 promises to pack in some of the most iconic moments from Part II of the video game, alongside fresh material that expands character arcs. Early reports indicate a full-length sequence set in the Wyoming Museum of Science and History—complete with dinosaur skeletons and a vintage lunar lander exhibit—that fans will instantly recognize from Ellie’s birthday flashback.

    This lighter interlude is quickly contrasted by a tense reveal scene in Salt Lake City, where Ellie confronts the fallout of Joel’s deception about the Fireflies’ true intentions. Industry insiders note that the episode will also revisit Eugene’s mysterious death, providing context and potentially re-evaluating Joel’s controversial actions after the group’s encounter with the infected.

    According to commentary on Reddit, viewers should brace for a bridge between Seattle’s Day 2 events and Ellie’s eventual assault on the theater, setting the stage for the season finale’s climactic showdown. Meanwhile, new footage teased in the Nerdist breakdown shows Joel teaching Ellie to wield a rifle, underscoring the evolving mentor-student dynamic just before tragedy strikes.

    The blend of treasured game sequences and novel flashbacks reflects the creative partnership between co-creators Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin, ensuring a faithful yet inventive adaptation that honors its source material.

     


    With The Last of Us season 2 episode 6, HBO is proving that Joel’s story is far from finished, delivering both heart-wrenching flashbacks and fresh revelations to deepen Ellie’s journey in this gritty, emotional show.

    Jasmine is a journalist for Primetimer

    She graduated with a B.A. in English Literature from Sophia College in Mumbai, where she had the unique opportunity to publish research in social science and media.

    Jasmine holds more than three years of experience including an ex-Founder's role at a digital marketing agency called 'Very Weird'. Additionally, she also had stints as a journalist at GrowMeOrganic and Scatter Content. She also worked in the Social Media Management team for beauty and wellness brands, Green Maven and Yoga House Mumbai.

    Jasmine is a strict follower of ethics in journalism and stays updated with industry developments in order to improve her craft. She is committed to presenting diverse perspectives, which enriches her storytelling and enhances the relevance of her articles in today’s dynamic media landscape.

    TOPICS: The Last of Us