Joel surprises Ellie for her birthday. Years later, Ellie prepares to confront Joel about her past.Joel surprises Ellie for her birthday. Years later, Ellie prepares to confront Joel about her past.Joel surprises Ellie for her birthday. Years later, Ellie prepares to confront Joel about her past.
- Benji
- (as Ezra Akbonkhese)
Featured reviews
It can reshape your life, bring new meaning, and create shared cultural memories. The emotional resonance lingers long after viewing, inviting multiple rewatches to fully appreciate its nuanced layers. Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey's performances deserves recognition for their raw vulnerability. Gustavo Santaolalla's score heightens each pivotal moment without overshadowing the narrative's intimate human connections. An absolute gem, thank you HBO.
This episode slows down in the best way possible. It gives space for the characters to breathe, reflect, and just FEEL. There's so much unspoken emotion in the silences, in the glances, in the weight of words left unsaid. You can sense the pain, the guilt, the love, and the fear clashing all at once.
The performances are phenomenal. You can tell the actors didn't just act-they lived through their characters. I found myself fully invested in their vulnerability, their inner conflict, and the quiet moments that said more than any dialogue could.
What hit me hardest is how the episode deals with the complexity of forgiveness and connection. It reminded me that in a world as broken as the one in this series, the smallest acts of honesty and vulnerability can feel like both a risk and a lifeline.
This wasn't just an episode-it was an emotional experience. One that left me reflective, heavy, and thankful for stories that are brave enough to go this deep.
The 77th Emmys Acting Nominees in Character
The 77th Emmys Acting Nominees in Character
Did you know
- TriviaPedro Pascal was emotional during filming, particularly towards the end of production; he spent some time on set afterwards talking to Neil Druckmann and the crew. Craig Mazin recalled that Pascal and Bella Ramsey naturally performed "in a very real, cool way", prompting him to seek "one magical take" where they act with full emotions in the porch scene. Druckmann cried while filming the porch scene, and noticed others on set doing the same.
- GoofsWhile Joel and Ellie ride horseback along the trail, a crew member can be seen in tall grass on the left at 34:50.
- Quotes
Joel Miller: Making a cure... would've killed you.
Ellie Williams: Then I was supposed to die!
[Crying]
Ellie Williams: That was my purpose! My life would've fucking mattered! But you took that from me... you took it from everyone!
Joel Miller: Yes. And I'll pay the price... because you're gonna turn away from me. But if somehow I had a second chance at that moment... I would do it all over again.
Ellie Williams: Because you're selfish.
Joel Miller: [Choking up] Because I love you. In a way you... you can't understand. Maybe you never will. But if that day should come... if you should ever have one of your own... well, then, I hope you do a little better than me.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The 77th Primetime Emmy Awards (2025)
Details
- Runtime
- 1h(60 min)
- Color