How Eugene’s Death Fueled Ellie and Joel’s Fallout in ‘The Last of Us’ Episode 6, Explained

The Last of Us’ season 2 episode 6 has just brought Pedro Pascal’s character back to life (not literally though), dedicating its entirety to some flashbacks from those 5 years they spent in Jackson.

With a large break that the show’s ongoing second season took after Joel’s tragic death in episode 2, it’s finally been time to delve into Ellie’s feud with Joel which was just about to resolve on the eve of his passing.

The episode follows through ups and downs in the characters’ relationships right until revealing when exactly things went completely wrong.

Ironically, this also has to do with a major mystery that the TV show has been teasing ever since its second instalment’s episode 1.

What Happens to Joel and Ellie in ‘The Last of Us’ Episode 6, Explained

In The Last of Us’ latest episode, Bella Ramsey’s Ellie is seen gradually preparing herself for a big conversation with Joel, suspecting that he has been lying to her about what happened in Salt Lake City back then all along.

However, she puts the list of her burning questions aside for a while when Joel allows her to go out on her first patrol with him.

Things get more complicated when both are forced to come to rescue their Jackson fellows after their encounter with the infected, later finding out that at least one of them, none other than Gail’s husband Eugene, has been beaten.

Eventually, Ellie talks Joel into letting Eugene say goodbye to his wife, leaving him with a promise that he won’t shoot Eugene; when Ellie is back, the only thing she gets to witness is that Joel has broken yet another one of his many promises to her.

Back in Jackson, Joel tells Gail that it was Eugene who didn’t want to get her infected and come back to the town, also specifying that Eugene shot himself; he’s quickly confronted by Ellie who tells Gail the truth.

Eugene’s Death Escalates Ellie’s Conflict With Joel

Joel’s attempt to cover his deed despite promising Ellie to do the contrary comes as the breaking point when she decides she won’t tolerate Joel’s lies anymore.

Later, after the New Year’s party, she does come to talk to Joel, demanding that he tell her the truth about everything that happened in Salt Lake City years ago.

When Joel breaks down, justifying his crimes with the fact that he wouldn’t be able to let Ellie die, she realises that he might have as well deprived her of her chance to be useful for the remaining society and make her life meaningful thanks to her immunity.

However, Ellie admits to wanting to forgive Joel, but that’s already too late — you know what happens right afterwards.

When Is ‘The Last of Us’ Next Episode Being Released?

The show’s season 2 episode 7 will be dropped on Max on May 25.