Tony Dalton’s Character Adds a Brutal New Layer to Joel’s Past in ‘The Last of Us’
The Last of Us’ new episode has introduced someone new to the show, but the video game’s fans might already be familiar with a character portrayed by Tony Dalton. Here’s everything to know about him and the way he connects to Joel and Tommy Miller.
Things went back to normal for a while in The Last of Us’ episode 6, dating back to some of the most precious moments that Joel and Ellie shared before their relationship fell apart.
However, it’s not only Ellie whose memories from the past are brought back, with something pivotal to Joel’s personal story resurfacing in the episode’s opening scene.
Particularly, the show makes some sort of introduction for a side character, portrayed by Better Call Saul’s actor Tony Dalton, who makes things clear about Joel’s unintentionally sadistic nature that has always put protecting his loved one before anything else.
Tony Dalton’s Role as Javier Miller in ‘The Last of Us’ Season 2, Explained
In the show’s latest episode, Dalton is introduced as Javier Miller, Joel and Tommy’s father who, despite not having that much time on the screen, proves himself abusive both physically and emotionally.
The episode’s opening scene flashes back to 1983, with both Joel and Tommy being teenagers and trying to come up with a plan how Tommy can avoid their father’s punishment once the latter gets home.
After Joel promises that he will protect Tommy no matter what, Javier, who is also a police officer, enters the scene, later having a profound conversation with Joel when the latter admits to buying weed and getting into a fight instead of Tommy.
Javier proceeds with justifying the fact that he hits his children by saying his own father did things way worse to him.
Considering that this has so far been the only mention of Javier in the entire show, it’s fair to say Joel and Tommy continued to suffer from their father’s abuse until they both left the family house, eventually never bringing the matter up.
Tony Dalton Was the First Choice for Javier’s Role
It might be a rare thing for The Last of Us’ TV adaptation, but Tony Dalton ended up with the role thanks to both his physical appearance and strong “villainous” acting skills.
“Tony Dalton was my first choice. I just loved his performance so much in Better Call Saul. I jokingly refer to him as the most charming, threatening man I've ever seen on television”, the show’s co-showrunner Neil Druckmann revealed in an interview with Entertainment Weekly.
On top of that, to many on set Dalton in fact looked like someone related to Pedro Pascal.
“We were just looking for a good actor that, if you squinted, you could kind of see Pedro. And he has a very Pedro vibe to him”, young Joel’s actor Andrew Diaz explained.
In the end, the short sequence that proves Joel and Tommy grew up in a pretty toxic environment also suggests the former’s path towards violence is deeply rooted in his childhood and the tense relationship with his father.
“What Joel has done now is different. He used violence to protect his tribe, to protect Tommy, and now it's almost like there's something for them to relate to and they connect on this level. What the dad ultimately says is, 'I think I've done the right things, but I'm not entirely sure. I just know that I did things better than my dad, who beat me even worse.' His insecurity about that stays with Joel as well. Joel's doing the best he can with the tools that are in front of him, but he loves Ellie unconditionally”, Druckmann said.
When Is ‘The Last of Us’ Next Episode Coming?
The second season’s final episode 7 will arrive on Max on May 25.
