Kin: Episode 6 of The Last Of Us
Episode 6 of The Last Of Us takes us three months into the future, where we find Joel confronting a couple at gunpoint, determined to find his brother Tommy. Against Joel’s orders, Ellie disregards his commands and discovers that the path west of the river is teeming with danger, including something even more menacing than the infected. Despite Joel’s belief in their words, he suddenly experiences chest pain and struggles to breathe, but soldiers on.
In line with what we have witnessed throughout the season, Joel and Ellie journey across the vast landscape, eventually stopping to rest and contemplate their future together. They reflect on their attempt to save Sam with Ellie’s blood. Their journey leads them to the dam and the “river of death,” where they find themselves surrounded by armed men on horses. With guns pointed at them, Joel is coerced into relinquishing his weapon, while Ellie is ordered to step back. The leader employs a specially trained dog to detect infection, but astonishingly, the animal fails to sense anything from Ellie.
Upon learning of Joel and Ellie’s intention to meet Tommy, the armed men guide them to a settlement bustling with activity. Among the workers is Tommy, who has been occupied with construction work. The reunion between the brothers is filled with warmth, culminating in a heartfelt embrace, and they are eventually invited to join the others for a meal.
An Unsettled Atmosphere
Right from the start, Ellie displays hostility, lashing out at anyone who so much as gazes in her direction. She demands the return of her gun and orders Joel to congratulate Tommy, who is now married to a woman named Maria. Ellie goes on to extol the virtues of communism, but Joel interrupts her, reminding her of his mission to deliver Ellie to the Fireflies in exchange for a car battery. However, their mission has become more complicated given recent revelations about the characters.
Joel persists in seeking Tommy’s assistance to accompany them further, but Tommy refuses. He reveals that he is expecting a child with Maria and has no intentions of leaving. Reluctantly, Joel agrees to depart in the morning after gathering supplies. Before they part ways, Joel discloses Ellie’s immunity.
In a moment of confidence, Maria shares the story of Sarah with Ellie, prompting a significant conversation between Ellie and Joel about loss and their shared journey. Eventually, Joel promises that they will part ways once their journey is complete.
A New Morning
The following morning, Joel decides to leave with one of the horses. He gives Ellie a choice between staying with Tommy or joining him, and she chooses the latter. As they traverse the wilderness, Joel takes the opportunity for some target practice before they proceed to the university, where the Fireflies are rumored to be hiding. Oddly, there are no guards present. Inside, the only inhabitants they encounter are monkeys and a map covered in pins pointing towards Salt Lake City.
Regrettably, four scavengers appear outside, forcing Joel and Ellie to flee. Considering their elevated vantage point, they could have easily eliminated the threat. Nevertheless, they exit and, during the altercation, one of the attackers stabs Joel in the abdomen. Ellie blindly fires her weapon to protect Joel, and luckily, the enemy lacks firearms, allowing them to escape unharmed. However, Joel is wounded and writhes in pain, eventually falling off the horse.
The Episode Review
Does anyone else find this world strangely devoid of threats and lifeless? While breathtaking landscape shots have their place, The Last Of Us has an odd tendency to focus on long stretches of uninhabited land, without any infected or other humans in sight. Unfortunately, this episode also falls victim to being rather dull. As a human drama, it has its merits, but the omission and stripping down of pivotal game scenes does a disservice to the source material.
In the game, the university is swarming with hunters, and Joel and Ellie must navigate perilously through the corridors to make their escape. The tension is palpable, and the suspense is gripping. It is a crucial part of the game, as it culminates in Joel’s injury and their narrow escape. However, in this adaptation, we are presented with a hurried and unsatisfying conclusion. Moreover, the infected have had minimal presence in the series thus far.
While The Last of Us is a decent video game adaptation, it fails to leave a lasting impression as a zombie series. There are far superior options available within this genre. Let’s hope that upcoming episodes pick up the pace and stay true to the source material, as these scenes truly represent the highlights of the entire series.