In episode 8 of HBO’s The Last of Us, fans celebrate the plot twist where Joel (Pedro Pascal) becomes Ellie’s (Bella Ramsey) father. Ellie hunts for food to survive but encounters a cannibalistic preacher named David (Scott Shepard), who seeks revenge against Joel and wants Ellie to join his cult-like community.
Following Ellie’s capture, Joel frantically searches the resort town and finds her covered in blood and in shock, having killed David with a meat cleaver. Joel affectionately refers to Ellie as “baby girl,” a term he previously used for his own daughter, Sarah (Nico Parker), and the two share a heartfelt embrace. Fans of The Last of Us marked this moment on social media as a significant step in Joel’s symbolic adoption of Ellie as his daughter. See some of their reactions below.
The progression of Joel and Ellie’s relationship in The Last of Us
In the premiere of The Last of Us, which takes place 20 years after the tragic death of his daughter, Joel is depicted as a tough and bitter survivor who initially shows no interest in Ellie. However, as they face various life-threatening situations during their mission to find the Fireflies, their relationship evolves from one of animosity to mutual concern and care for each other.
After the death of Tess (Anna Torv), Joel chooses to carry out their mission as a final tribute to her dying request. During their journey, Ellie’s spirited nature and wit start to soften Joel’s hardened exterior. As they encounter danger, Joel trusts Ellie enough to give her a small gun after she saves his life from an attacker. He even teases her while teaching her how to use it. In one episode, Ellie’s joke from her pun book even makes Joel laugh heartily.
Joel’s bond with Ellie deepens over the course of several months, as he gradually becomes more open and vulnerable with her, answering her endless stream of questions. His affection for her is on full display when he reunites with his brother Tommy (Gabriel Luna) in Jackson, Wyoming, and tearfully pleads with him to take over as Ellie’s guardian. Despite his reluctance to part with her, Joel realizes that he can no longer protect her and genuinely believes that Tommy is better equipped to keep her safe.