‘Last of Us S2’ E3 Joel’s Grave Scene Explained

The Goodbye That Says Everything

In The Last of Us season 2, a quiet yet powerful moment unfolds. As Ellie stands before Joel’s grave, the scene, even though brief, speaks volumes.

With no extravagant setting, explosions, or clickers in sight, the emotional weight hits harder than any action sequence. This scene, however, matters more than you think.

Episode Overview

In The Last of Us season 2, episode 3, titled “The Path,” the narrative picks up three months following Joel’s tragic death. Ellie is seen to be still grappling with profound grief.

She’s determined to seek justice for her surrogate father’s murder. Ellie, with the help of Dina, secretly prepares to leave, but before embarking on the journey, she visits Joel’s grave.

The Significance of the Grave Visit

In the third episode, Ellie’s visit to Joel’s grave serves as a significant moment of emotional release and personal reckoning. Three months after his death, Ellie remains deeply affected.

This grave visit allows her to confront her sorrow, offering a brief respite before she goes on her quest for revenge. The act of visiting the grave symbolizes a step toward healing.

The Coffee Beans Tribute

In The Last of Us season 2 episode 3, Ellie leaves coffee beans on Joel’s grave. This is a significant tribute to his enduring love for coffee.

The post-apocalyptic world didn’t have such luxuries. However, Joel always cherished coffee as a rare comfort, and Ellie’s act of leaving coffee beans on Joel’s grave hints at her respect for Joel’s humanity and their shared experiences.

Joel’s Love for Coffee

Throughout the series, Joel’s affection for coffee serves as a subtle yet significant character trait. This love for coffee also emphasizes his connection to the pre-apocalyptic world.

Joel’s fondness for coffee remains a cherished part of his routine. This detail not only added depth to his character but also highlighted the small comforts that persist even in a world ingrained in the Cordyceps infection.

Ellie’s Relationship with Coffee

In The Last of Us, Ellie and Joel’s differing attitudes towards coffee highlight their contrasting personalities and backgrounds. Joel is a man of the old world, and he clings to small comforts like coffee.

On the other hand, Ellie has grown up in the harsh realities of the new world. She finds little to no appeal in such luxuries, and their difference is further highlighted in season 1, where Joel brews coffee during a road trip and Ellie doesn’t even like the smell of it.

The Emotional Weight of the Scene

Ellie’s visit to Joel’s grave hints at her profound sorrow and the intricate emotions she’s dealing with following his death. Ellie, even after three months of Joel’s death, is manifesting her grief in silence and isolation.

This scene allows her to confront her sorrow. The act of visiting the grave also hints at the complexity of her feelings toward Joel, which include feelings of love, anger, and loss.

The Change in Ellie’s Character

Following Joel’s brutal death, Ellie is initially overtaken by a desire for revenge, seeking to confront his killer. However, the viewers get to see that as the episode progresses, Ellie begins to process her grief.

She’s led to moments of reflection and personal growth. This shift is pretty evident in her interactions with Dina and her decision to leave Jackson.

The Role of Dina

Dina, in the third episode of the second season, plays an important role in supporting Ellie. As Ellie visits Joel’s grave and pays her respects, Dina maintains a respectful distance away from her.

This silent gesture hints at Dina’s understanding and empathy. She ends up providing Dina with the emotional support she needs without intruding.

The Visual Composition

The cinematography during Ellie’s visit to Joel’s grave plays a significant role in conveying the scene’s emotional depth. The framing and lighting are crafted in a way to enhance the somber tone and highlight Ellie’s grief.

Wide shots bring into view the barren and desolate landscape. This emphasizes Ellie’s solitude and the isolation she feels after Joel’s death.

The Sound Design

The sound design plays an important role in exemplifying the emotional depth of the scene where Ellie visits Joel’s grave. The absence of a traditional musical score during this moment allows the natural sounds of the environment to take center stage.

The subtle rustling of wind, the distant sounds of wildlife, and the crunch of gravel underfoot create an atmosphere of solitude and reflection. These auditory elements highlight the gravity of the moment.

Thematic Implications

Ellie’s visit to Joel’s grave hints at themes of grief, memory, and the human desire for connection. This scene also highlights the complexity of Ellie’s feelings towards Joel’s death.

The episode also introduces new groups. The introduction of the Seraphites expands the narrative’s exploration of survival and human relationships in a post-apocalyptic world.

Critics Response

The episode has led to a range of responses from both critics and viewers. Critics have lauded the episode for its emotional depth and visual storytelling.

Alex Welch from TheWrap described the graveyard scene as “one of the most cinematic and visually striking moments that The Last of Us has ever achieved.” Vanity Fair highlighted the episode’s exploration of grief and the human desire for connection.

Fans Reactions

Fans have taken to social media to express their reactions. Many have shared their emotional responses to the scene.

One viewer tweeted, “I don’t think I’ve sobbed this much in a really long time.” Another shared, “Nick Offerman and Murray Bartlett truly gave their all. It was beautiful,” hinting at the powerful portrayals that brought the story to life.

Comparison to the Game

The grave scene in the series is significantly different from the video game, The Last of Us Part II. In the game, while Joel’s death does significantly impact Ellie, there is no specific scene depicting her visiting his grave.

Netflix’s Adolescence has also raised several questions. Fans are talking about how Adolescence’s story connects to real-life events.

The Legacy of Joel

Joel’s presence continues to shape Ellie’s decisions and actions in The Last of Us season 2. Despite his absence, Joel’s memory significantly influences Ellie’s emotional journey and motivations.

For fantasy lovers, a beloved novel is making its way to the screen. Rebecca Yarros teases Fourth Wing TV adaptation is the adaptation fans have been waiting for.

What did you think of the scene? Drop your thoughts in the comments.

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.