The absence of Joel since his demise makes Pedro Pascal’s prominence on this episode really feel earned. This episode offers each catharsis and solutions as we get to see Ellie and Joel collectively once more, even when issues do bitter over the course of the episode.
I might have liked to get some scenes that includes Dina and Jesse on this episode however I like that the main target stays wholly targeted on Ellie and Joel. Different characters come out and in of the episode however at its coronary heart, this can be a two-hander that exhibits the way in which Ellie and Joel regularly and tragically develop aside – although the love remains to be there.
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| “The Worth” – THE LAST OF US. Pictured: Pedro Pascal as Joel. Photograph: Liane Hentscher/HBO ©2025 HBO |
One in all my favorite issues on this episode was how they used lighting to painting Ellie and Joel’s deteriorating relationship. We begin off within the golden hour of their relationship, the solar shining and casting heat tones over their scenes. The Future Days scene and the museum scene within the house shuttle are good for portraying the depth and closeness of their relationship. This present thrives on the chemistry between its actors and Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal have it in spades.
The episode will get somewhat greyer by the point we get to the oft-hinted at Eugene scene the place it seems he’s been bitten by one of many contaminated, inflicting Ellie and Joel to dispute whether or not he must be killed instantly or be allowed to return to Jackson to say goodbye to Gail. Ellie believes he has sufficient time earlier than the an infection begins to take maintain and Joel finally ends up mendacity to her to get her to go away for lengthy sufficient for him to do what he sees as the mandatory deed.
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| “The Worth” – THE LAST OF US. Pictured: Bella Ramsey as Ellie. Photograph: Liane Hentscher/HBO ©2025 HBO |
It’s fairly a major departure from how Ellie and Joel fell out within the recreation. We do nonetheless see Ellie’s doubt about what actually occurred at Saint Mary’s Hospital, and his lie right here solely strengthens her suspicions. However I don’t actually discover this Eugene and Gail storyline to be attention-grabbing and the fracture in Ellie and Joel’s relationship loses a few of its emotional impression for not being immediately tied to the fateful incident on the finish of season 1.
The reveal nonetheless occurs on the finish, displaying us what actually occurred that night time after the dance within the first episode. I do suppose having the reveal right here compounds the error of Ellie not discovering out sooner. We miss out on the reeling shock of her complete world being turned the wrong way up and seeing her wrestle with the knowledge.
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| “The Worth” – THE LAST OF US. Pictured: Bella Ramsey as Ellie, Pedro Pascal as Joel. Photograph: Liane Hentscher/HBO ©2025 HBO |
Having stated that, I do nonetheless just like the scene for what it’s. Whereas I want they’d stored nearer to the plot of the sport for this component of the story, this sadder, extra emotionally charged model is masterfully acted by Pascal and Ramsey, with Pascal breaking the dam on all of Joel’s feelings and Ramsey strolling the effective line between devastation and anger. It very a lot has that feeling of a confession fairly than a confrontation.
Plus, they stored one in all my favorite strains from the sport – “I don’t suppose I can forgive you for this. However I want to attempt.” I’ve talked about it in an earlier overview, nevertheless it’s value reiterating as we finish the flashback on this hopeful word between Ellie and Joel – to me, the thesis of The Final of Us is the Firefly motto ‘while you’re misplaced within the darkness, search for the sunshine’. This little kernel of hope that Ellie shines on their relationship encapsulates that completely.
What did you consider this episode? Pontificate within the feedback under!