The Last of Us | Episode 6 review:

Thank you for waiting. Join us each week as we break down each episode of the highly anticipated The Last of Us adaptation starring Pedro Pascal and Vera Ramsey.

Recovering from the aftermath of Episode 5, Joel and Ellie finally arrive at Tommy’s and have a moment to catch their breath. But it doesn’t take long to find her again.

Spoiler alert:

These reviews contain spoilers for each episode. So if you want to chill out, we recommend coming back to this review after watching the latest episode. I can’t take my eyes off the ending of episode 5, “Endure and live” for a while. Three months after the events of Episode 5, the tragic deaths of Sam and Henry will definitely haunt us, and our heroes Joel and Ellie will not be forgotten either.

Episode 6 begins with what is commonly called the Winter section in-game. If you’re familiar with the game, you know this section will make you nervous. In other words, the shit is about to fall to the bottom. Things slow down significantly in this episode. After a very action-packed episode with lots of infected and bloating, episode 6 entitled “Kin” focuses more on character dynamics.Both Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal are quiet It is an episode that shines in a moment. 

Joel and Ellie travel through the snowy wilderness and meet Marlon and Florence, an elderly couple who live in the woods. There is tension in the air, weapons are raised. It’s a hostile world, and The Last of Us doesn’t let you forget it. Instructions and warning words are displayed. It’s not the infected that they should fear in these parts of the country.

Joel and Ellie continue their journey, with Ellie bitterly commenting.
“Now all we have to do is cross the river of death.” It was truly remarkable how well Ramsey portrayed Ellie and made her feel unique to the Ellie we meet in the game. Ramsey is the perfect blend of boldness and naivety that have always defined Ellie. Eventually, Joel and Ellie reach Tommy. A sniffer dog appears to determine that Ellie has been bitten, but the two are able to return to a safe haven. Joel and Tommy’s reunion is a warm one. Their embrace is clearly filled with love, but mostly relief. A relief that they are alive and reunited.

The episode contains many references to the game. We think you may have met Shimmer, the horse Ellie will be riding in the second game, and seen Dina, Ellie’s future girlfriend, in one of the scenes. 

This episode gives Joel and Ellie a chance to breathe a little easier. Ellie bonds with Tommy’s wife Maria, played by Rutina Wesley. I saw that In this episode, Maria gives Ellie her diva cup. This type of period representation is very important. Not only does it make the world feel real and alive, it’s Mazin and Druckmann’s insightful engagement. Tampons and pads eventually run out, but the Diva Cup is reusable, making it a perfect period piece for the apocalypse.

The episode also explores Joel’s personality in detail. He apparently lost everything and the deaths of Sarah and Tess still weigh heavily on him. He has to save Ellie, not just to save humanity, but to save someone else.

Ultimately, Joel and Ellie must continue their journey. Tommy points out that Firefly may be holding a camp on the college campus. By the time Ellie and Joel arrive, Firefly has moved on, but a group of people are ambushing it. Players will learn that these are the minions of the game’s main antagonist, David.

A lot doesn’t happen in Episode 6 for the most part, but it serves as an important episode in understanding where both Ellie and Joel are emotionally. And while it’s great to see Tommy’s settlement come to fruition in a compelling way, we know that getting to this point in the story is a major turning point.