The Last Of Us Episode 6 Ending Explained
Warning! This article contains spoilers for The Last of Us episode 6 and the original game.The Last of Us episode 6 ends on another cliffhanger, with life-changing things on the horizon for both Ellie and Joel. Much of The Last of Us episode 6 surrounds Joel and Ellie getting to Jackson, Wyoming where Joel reunites with his brother Tommy. After some character drama revolving around Joel, his growing feelings for Ellie, and how that affects his mental state, Joel and Ellie set off again to the University of Eastern Colorado.
They head to the university after speaking with Tommy, who tells Joel that the Fireflies have a base camp on campus. Joel and Ellie manage to reach the university in which The Last of Us episode 6 offers up different plot points which will have big implications on the story of the overall show, as did the story of Henry and Sam in The Last of Us episode 5. That being said, here is everything explained in detail surrounding the cliffhanger ending of The Last of Us episode 6.
Who Attacked Joel And Ellie? Last Of Us Episode 7 Setup Explained
The very end of The Last of Us episode 6 saw Joel and Ellie attacked by a group of men at the University of Eastern Colorado. While the episode does not divulge who the men are or where they come from, knowledge of the original The Last of Us game sheds some light on what kind of role they will play going forward. The men actually come from a group of cannibals led by a man named David who can be seen in The Last of Us’ official trailer.
In the original game, Ellie encounters David and his second-in-command James – played by original Joel actor Troy Baker in HBO’s The Last of Us – when out hunting for food for herself and Joel. David explains that his men were attacked and killed by a man and a young girl at the University of Eastern Colorado, before eventually kidnapping Ellie. David reveals his group’s nature as cannibals and asks Ellie to join them, ultimately trying to kill her when she refuses. Joel goes to save Ellie, finding David already dead before Ellie breaks down in his arms. This marks the first time Joel truly recognizes Ellie as his surrogate daughter.
Does Joel Die At The End Of Last Of Us Episode 6?
With Joel collapsing from his stab wound at the end of The Last of Us episode 6, the main question for viewers who have not played the game will be whether Joel dies. However, Joel does not die at the end of The Last of Us episode 6. While gravely wounded, Joel does not die but collapses from blood loss, leading Bella Ramsey’s Ellie to have to fend for herself in The Last of Us episode 7. The next episode will likely adapt the cannibal plot line, in which Ellie encounters David after trying to look for medicine to heal Joel’s wounds.
Why Did Joel Decide To Take Ellie In Last Of Us Episode 6?
Another burning question surrounding The Last of Us episode 6 is why Joel decides to take Ellie. After asking Tommy to take Ellie to the university, Joel eventually decides against this and takes her himself for reasons linking to Sarah, his own feelings for Ellie, and an argument they have that is featured in The Last of Us episode 6. The episode introduces the concept of Joel having panic attacks, which he later reveals stems from his own fear of failure after failing to protect Sarah and Tess after both Last of Us deaths. Joel feels this fear about Ellie, stating she will be better off with Tommy.
Ellie overhears this and is upset at Joel’s willingness to part ways with her. This leads to an argument in which Ellie brings up Sarah causing Joel to say they are going their separate ways. However, Joel also admits he cares for Ellie during the argument, which causes him to eventually give Ellie the choice of who takes her to Colorado. After this, Joel is much more open and warm towards Ellie, with his growing care for her causing him to decide to take her in The Last of Us episode 6.
Do Joel & Tommy Reunite Again In The Last Of Us’ Future?
With Joel and Ellie heading to Colorado, Joel and Tommy once again go their separate ways. This begs the question of whether they will reunite again in the future after The Last of Us episode 6’s cliffhanger ending bodes ill for Pedro Pascal’s Joel. While The Last of Us episode 6’s ending does make the future seem bleak for Joel, he and Tommy will eventually reunite again. At the end of the story, after Joel decides to save Ellie from the Fireflies, the duo travels back to Jackson and lives as part of Tommy’s community setting up the events of The Last of Us season 2.
What’s Up With The Monkeys In The Last Of Us Episode 6?
One of the stranger elements of The Last of Us episode 6 is the horde of monkeys that inhabit the University of Eastern Colorado in the absence of humans. The monkeys are spotted as Joel and Ellie first enter the campus, and once again when the duo searches the university for traces of the Fireflies. Joel explains that the monkeys are likely from the old labs in the university, with the monkey interaction referencing the original The Last of Us game in an almost word-for-word scene.
Where Were The Fireflies In The Last Of Us Episode 6?
The final major question of The Last of Us episode 6 sets up the season finale: where the Fireflies are and why they are not at the university Tommy said they would be. The Fireflies are actually in Salt Lake City, at a place called Saint Mary’s Hospital. This is shown in The Last of Us episode 6 when Joel views the Fireflies’ map, which shows multiple Firefly groups converging on the city. This foreshadows The Last of Us season 1’s finale, which will feature Joel attempting to save Ellie from the hospital teased in The Last of Us episode 6.
New episodes of The Last of Us release every Sunday on HBO.
