‘The Last of Us’ episode 8 uses a map to reveal something about Joel

(*8*)Joel (Pedro Pascal), our favorite surly scowling protagonist, has a previous.

(*8*)That is something that is been clear since The Last of Us episode 1, when 2023 Joel is clearly proven to be a individual not to be crossed. Because the present’s progressed we have had extra references to his actions because the cordyceps outbreak, with Joel making it clear to Ellie (Bella Ramsey) that he and Tommy (Gabriel Luna) used to be half of a pretty violent group that did not thoughts killing individuals in the event that they wanted to. Though Joel has all the time been robust and violent, although, we have by no means actually seen the complete extent of his ruthless facet earlier than.

(*8*)Till episode 8, no less than.

(*8*)In The Last of Us’ most up-to-date instalment, a kidnapped Ellie brings Joel’s inside monster rapidly to the floor. However there’s one key scene, and one second specifically that throws again to episode 6, which actually highlights this. Let’s break it down.

SEE ALSO:

Persons are nonetheless consuming bread in ‘The Last of Us,’ and I do not perceive why

What occurs with Joel in episode 8?

(*8*)Joel begins off the episode in a barely aware state, affected by the stab wound he acquired by an assailant on the College of Japanese Colorado in episode 6. After Ellie goes out looking and meets David (Scott Shepherd), she manages to get some penicillin to stave off the an infection he is incurred. The dangerous information? The person who attacked Joel and who he killed was half of David’s group, they usually’re hungry for revenge.

(*8*)
Joel is in a dangerous means in the beginning of episode 8.
Credit score: Liane Hentscher/HBO

(*8*)Because the group closes in on Joel and Ellie’s hideout she tries her greatest to wake him, urgent a knife to his chest and telling him she’s going to draw them away. “If anyone makes it down right here, you fucking kill them,” says Ellie. “You bought it?”

(*8*)It is honest to say Joel takes Ellie’s recommendation severely, wounding the lads earlier than tying them each up and interrogating them about Ellie’s whereabouts.

(*8*)”You are going to level to the place we’re, and the place your resort is, and it higher be the very same spot your buddy factors to,” Joel growls on the first man, shoving a map in entrance of him after having already stabbed him within the leg.

(*8*)The person does what Joel says. At this level, armed with the data he wants, I used to be anticipating Joel to depart the lads tied up and rush off after Ellie. However he would not. In a notably violent sequence that exhibits simply how ruthless his character could be, Joel stabs one man and bashes the opposite’s head in.

(*8*)

Featured Video For You

(*8*)Does The Last of Us lastly get online game diversifications proper?

Joel uses the identical map trick again in episode 6.

(*8*)For those who felt a bit of déjà vu when Joel asks the person to level on the map, it is as a result of he is executed it earlier than. Again in the beginning of episode 6, when Joel and Ellie stumble throughout that older couple residing in a secluded wood cabin within the forest, Joel pulls the very same trick.

(*8*)”We’re someplace right here,” Joel tells the husband, who’s simply returned from a hunt. “Precisely the place? And your reply higher be the identical as your spouse’s.”

(*8*)
This man was unimpressed with Joel’s interrogation approach.
Credit score: HBO

(*8*)The distinction between this scene and the one in episode 8 could not be better. In episode 6 the “interrogation” is a bit of gentle aid, with the aged couple virtually laughing off Joel’s makes an attempt to be intimidating and every little thing ending amicably sufficient. It virtually provides us the impression that Joel’s ruthless previous is behind him.

(*8*)The return of the map trick in episode 8 makes it clear this is not the case. Joel’s ruthless streak by no means actually left him in spite of everything — it was just under the floor, ready for the fitting set of circumstances to come out of hiding.

(*8*)Ellie being kidnapped, and presumably harmed, is clearly sufficient to do it. The scene with the returning map trick sends a clear message that the outdated Joel of simply a few episodes again is gone, no less than for now — and the Joel that is changed him is the monster he briefly turned after his daughter was killed, surviving at any value.

(*8*)The Last of Us is now streaming on HBO Max.(opens in a new tab) New episodes air each Sunday at 9 p.m. ET on HBO.