'The Last of Us' creators break down what Joel's thinking at the end of episode 5

"All he can think is: That's going to be her and me."
 By 
Sam Haysom
 on 
A close-up of a man's face looking serious.
Watch Next

Another week, another spectacularly heart-wrenching episode of The Last of Us. But in amongst the horror of tiny Clickers, major Bloaters, and that whole deeply upsetting sequence with Ellie (Bella Ramsey) and Sam (Keivonn Woodard), what was our favourite stony-faced smuggler thinking? What was going on in Joel's (Pedro Pascal's) head as he looked down at Ellie's "I'm sorry" note on Sam's grave?

"This is where Joel is beginning to understand what's happening inside him," says co-creator Craig Mazin in HBO Max's "Inside the Episode" video above. "Because it's been 20 years since there was anybody in his life like a Sam, that would ruin him if he were to lose them — and he doesn't quite know how it happened, but it has begun to happen now with Ellie.

"When he sees what happens here, all he can think is: That's going to be her and me. And it terrifies him."

Mashable Image
Sam Haysom

Sam Haysom is the Deputy UK Editor for Mashable. He covers entertainment and online culture, and writes horror fiction in his spare time.


Latest Videos

Stephen Colbert reacts to the Artemis II moon mission
A man in a suit stands on a talk show stage, gesturing.


'The Daily Show' reacts to judge halting Trump's White House ballroom
Desi Lydic presents "The Daily Show" beside an image of Donald Trump.


A24's 'Mother Mary' trailer is worth it for the FKA twigs track
Anne Hathway is dressed in a red pop star outfit with religious overtones in a film still from "Mother Mary."

Jon Stewart has a brutal reaction to Trump waffling about pens
A man in a suit sitting behind a talk show desk looks angry. In the top left is an image of the president holding up a pen.

Stephen Colbert gleefully recaps the best signs at the 'No Kings' protest
A man in a suit stands on a talk show stage, smiling. The caption at the bottom reads, "I like that one."

Riz Ahmed is troublingly intense in new 'SNL UK' promo
A close-up of a man grinning in a slightly creepy way.


The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!