Photo: HBO/ The Last of Us
The sixth episode of "The Last of Us" on HBO (on Crave in Canada) continues to take audiences on an emotional rollercoaster. Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey continue to impress with their performances as Joel and Ellie, respectively. As the series progresses, the characters are forced to confront more and more difficult challenges.
The episode begins with a three-month time jump, following the devastating events of the previous episode. Henry, who had to shoot his infected brother Sam, then kill himself, leaves Joel and Ellie to carry on alone. The pair are now holed up in a couple's cabin, where Joel is trying to figure out the best way to head west in Wyoming, to avoid the infected.
He asks if they have heard of someone named Tommy. The woman warns Joel and Ellie about the "river of death," saying, "If your brother’s west of the river, he’s gone."
Joel and Ellie continue to travel, and Ellie shares with Joel that she tried to heal Sam with her blood. Joel tries to convince her that it can happen if Marlene believes a cure will work.
They encounter a group of people on horseback who are armed with guns, and the group has a dog that can identify infected people. Joel and Ellie are worried that the dog will identify Ellie's bite, but they are lucky, and the dog doesn't seem to notice.
The group is led to a commune in Jackson, which was built by a group of people seven years ago to keep raiders and infected away. They don't have a leader or a single person in charge. Instead, they operate through shared, collective ownership.
That's where brothers Joel and Tommy are happily reunited. The woman who led Joel to his brother is Maria (Rutina Wesley), who is now married to Tommy. Tommy is overjoyed to see Joel, and they embrace in a heartfelt moment. The brothers then have a moment alone to reconnect at a bar, where Tommy asks how Tess is doing. Joel lies and says she's fine. He also lies when Tommy asks what's going on with Ellie, saying that she is a friend's daughter.
Despite their joyful reunion, there is tension between the brothers, as Joel's decision to take Ellie on this journey, despite the risks, has put both of their lives in danger. Tommy is understandably upset, and this causes a rift between the two that will likely have repercussions later in the series.
As the episode progresses, we see that the commune is under threat from a group of bandits, who are using brutal tactics to try and take control of the area. Joel and Tommy join the defense effort, and they can push the bandits back, but not before the group is dealt a devastating blow.
"The Last of Us" continues to be a gripping, emotional journey that is not for the faint of heart. With only a few episodes left, the stakes are higher than ever, and the characters will face even more difficult challenges as they continue their journey. Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey continue to impress with their performances, and the rest of the cast is equally strong. If you haven't been watching "The Last of Us," it's worth catching up on. But be warned, it's not an easy watch.