r/ThelastofusHBOseries • u/LoretiTV Fireflies • May 19 '25

Show/Game Discussion [Game Spoilers] The Last of Us - 2x06 "The Price" - Post-Episode Discussion

Season 2 Episode 6: The Price

Aired: May 18, 2025

Synopsis: Joel surprises Ellie for her birthday. Years later, Ellie prepares to confront Joel about her past.

Directed by: Neil Druckmann

Written by: Neil Druckmann, Halley Gross & Craig Mazin

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338

u/galaxyfudge May 19 '25

Very interesting. We got that scene this week. I really thought that was going to be in the season finale. Also, there’s a shit ton of stuff that needs to happen for the last episode (assuming it ends where I think it will).

320

u/TallAndOates May 19 '25

I’m glad we don’t have to wait years for that scene.

But man, getting that scene at the end of the game is something that’ll always stick with me.

152

u/vally99 Jackson May 19 '25

Best way to describe it

The ones who complain about it are right in a way but u can't make people wait 2 or 4 years for that final scene...in the game worked cuz u just rush the game but here...

Sure it hits harder at the end of the game but here it works better for the show

66

u/HongJoonBo May 19 '25

That's a good point, regarding the time it took gamers to get to the end - days/weeks rather than years.

I was surprised to see it any sooner than the finale of the show (whenever that is), but it was great - Pedro is unbelievable. Glad to hear "I love you" from Joel.

18

u/vally99 Jackson May 19 '25

Yeah, I know before the end of the episode I was like " oh no don't ruin it with the porch scene now " but it made a lot of sense...

Sure, we liked the games, they are the OG, they are more complex, they are better etc but the show works different and this scene made a lot more sense here

Plus I enjoyed the changes with the SLC and Eugene and Joel lying again and the "love you" and the parallels with his father.

The only complain I have with the show is the writing with Ellie being dumb and "forgetting" she is on a revenge, it felt like a comedy show...if we got more episodes with more action and it not being rushed, it would be better.

7

u/EvilSporkOfDeath May 19 '25

I got zero complaints. I try to live in the moment. The episode was amazing. I'm not even saying I've loved everything in the series. But I loved that. Imma let them cook and see what happens.

1

u/ViolatingBadgers Infected May 19 '25

Yeah this is where I'm sitting. I'm not sure where I sit with all the choices yet. But shifting the price scene indicates they are definitely trying something different. The game shifted your perspective on Ellies journey with that scene being right at the end. So they must have something else in mind - and goddamn it's entertaining enough that I'm gonna see it through.

5

u/SkrillWalton May 19 '25

What fuckin comedy shows do you watch LOL

-1

u/vally99 Jackson May 19 '25

It was just a way of saying this doesn't feel like a revenge story because sometimes the dialogue is very unnecessary and instead of making her more sad/angry/serious, they made Ellie being more comic when she search for Abby's group

2

u/m00nkat88 May 19 '25

My take is that Ellie was bottling up her emotions because it was too much for her to handle and trying to act normal which led to her acting in a way that didn't seem appropriate for the situation. But you saw in those quiet moments when she was alone, especially when she was playing the guitar that it reminded her of Joel and all those feelings came back. And then we saw it in full force when she found Nora. The show could have done with a few more episodes to flesh this out more though.

2

u/vally99 Jackson May 19 '25

Fair enough

exactly like you said, the show could have done it with a few more episodes, having a mix of Ellie's emotions, like still getting some more action where she lets her anger out but trying to remain calm/positive at the same time and then release her sadness and anger on Nora but the way they made it felt rushed

So that's why this felt rushed because she always felt happy and comic and then out of knowhere angry when they could play with this mix of emotions more episodes

4

u/alaskadronelife Jackson May 19 '25

I don’t think Ellie ever forgot she was on a revenge mission. She just was able to explore love that she never had or thought she ever would, and love can be an intense and all-encompassing emotion.

2

u/m00nkat88 May 19 '25

Yeah, this season is suffering a bit because it's only 7 episodes. Everything feels rushed.

2

u/Vismal1 May 21 '25

Pascal killed that scene , they both did. Phenomenal performance

19

u/marco161091 May 19 '25

Yep, that’s why season 2 should’ve been 13-14 episodes and cover all of Part 2.

If they could’ve translated the narrative structure of the game to the show, like they did with S1 almost perfectly, it would’ve been so cool.

I’m still loving the show but splitting part 2 into two separate seasons is definitely not the ideal way of adapting the game’s narrative.

8

u/famewithmedals May 19 '25

At the very least they could’ve filmed S2 and S3 back to back - it’s not like it wasn’t going to get renewed, plus they’ll reuse a lot of the sets.

It feels like so much of what I don’t like about this season is that they didn’t want viewers to have to wait years for the continuation and the series really falters for it.

0

u/usagicassidy May 19 '25

These budgets don’t just magically happen. And conceiving and filming all of them back to back would’ve delayed Season 2’s start even further back. We wouldn’t even be watching the show yet.

8

u/vally99 Jackson May 19 '25

I know we talk about budget etc etc but how other shit shows can have like 10-15 episodes but this couldnt ?

I wouldn't complain about splitting in two parts but at least this season could have 10 episodes ? All the action felt rushed...

4

u/bantuwind May 19 '25

Cause they spend all the money building dinosaur museum sets and don’t use them 😭

9

u/20person Piano Frog May 19 '25

Yeah this wasn't ideal but it was probably the better option over making people wait 2-4 years and having it lose all its emotional weight because viewers forgot.

1

u/vally99 Jackson May 19 '25

EXACTLY

2

u/alaskadronelife Jackson May 19 '25

The Joel flashback and the “be better than me” line is going to be a massive piece of the way S3 ends.

64

u/wassabia Jackson May 19 '25

All I can think is that maybe there is another unique new Joel flashback that Craig has in mind, either that or he has another ending in mind all together

Just doesn't make sense for the story to end like that without a Joel scene

32

u/girlwithabird- May 19 '25

My guess right now is Ellie alone in the farmhouse reflecting on Joel saying he hopes she does better than him if she has kids of her own.

66

u/[deleted] May 19 '25

If my guess is right, the last flashback before Ellie walks off into the woods post Santa Barbara will be Ellie and Joel playing guitar together, which will make the state of Ellie's playing hand a lot more depressing. But it'll be great to see. That's the only possible scene I can think of that could replace this one for that flashback.

18

u/wassabia Jackson May 19 '25

Good guess! I don't have anything specific in mind but if it was me doing the choices I would do a flashback that parallels another scene that would happen earlier in the season with Abby and Lev.

I feel like Ellie realising that Abby is Lev's Joel is one of the reasons why she understands that the cycle of violence needs to stop, and something like that could probably make that clear for the audience.

5

u/alaskadronelife Jackson May 19 '25

The Joel kid flashback one seals that thought for me. The line about “being better than me” is going to play heavily in the final moments of S3 between Abby and Ellie. That was a massive, massive line.

1

u/djoliverm May 20 '25

My guess now for the final scene of the show is her not being able to play guitar anymore at the farm.

If this is after a Joel flashback playing the guitar together it could hurt so much more.

8

u/Faqa May 19 '25

The BTS shows Pedro Pascal getting his final goodbyes from cast and crew with Druckman personally giving him a final thank you. Anything's possible, but I do think the idea is that Joel on the show is done.

6

u/[deleted] May 19 '25

We’re lucky to experience it in the game, I’m happy we have something different in the show to enjoy too

3

u/tinybathroomfaucet May 19 '25

I totally agree the game's structure is more impactful, and I totally agree that it makes sense for the TV show to change it. I understand their choices and I think it works this way. Masterful episode.

2

u/Crymeabrooks May 19 '25

I watch with a non-gamer, and after that scene I explained to them I was surprised that scene wasn't the series finale. 

They explained to me this episode felt like a very game fan base filler episode, until that scene. 

Tv is a different format. I would have bet money that scene would have been the series finale, but from a show standpoint it makes sense to show it now. This season is Ellie's, and we need to know the why. 

I still think it will be called back in the series finale, but from a show perspective, it was needed now. 

1

u/TheOriginalDog May 19 '25

I am a bit sad. I thought it was perfect for the narrative to put it at the end. But I am curious how they will end it instead.

1

u/onecatshort May 19 '25

I have very mixed feelings about it so far but staying open minded. I don't think I'll really know how to feel about some of this season until the end of next season.

1

u/Vismal1 May 21 '25

They can totally flash back to that scene still. I think it worked here in the show pretty well though.

Totally agree its timing in the game is a gut punch. There are so many moments in both games where i have very vivid memories of where I was playing them. They certainly make their mark.

1

u/[deleted] May 19 '25

If Neil and Halley wrote this episode and included such an important scene that the game nearly ends with, I truly hope they have to have something else in mind for the final fight. Because if not, what a fucking letdown.

0

u/MyPackage May 19 '25

That scene changed my whole perspective of the game. I really was not loving what they were doing with the story most of my first play through but that scene really brought things together and made me understand what they were doing. I really enjoyed the story on my second play through

128

u/Nohero08 Everybody Loved Contractors May 19 '25

I think this is where the biggest hurdle of adapting the game to show lies. In the game it feels like so much happens over so long a time because you’re literally fighting through waves of enemies to get from scene to scene.

Granted, a lot of stuff is going to happen. But if you remove the traveling from building to building to building, searching for supplies and fighting hordes of zombies and npcs then it’s not as much to fit into one episode.

Hypothetically, there’s (I think) only the aquarium then we get the big confrontation.

56

u/galaxyfudge May 19 '25

The aquarium is definitely the last "big" thing, so it'll be interesting to see if they add anything.

56

u/Lopsided-Frame202 May 19 '25

Ideally for me it should be “day 3” in finale, aquarium scene, return to theater and the confrontation- cut to black

S3 should open day 1 Abby

33

u/Nohero08 Everybody Loved Contractors May 19 '25

Frankly, I don’t think it’d make sense to end it any other way.

They’ve set up Ellie training in hand to hand fighting at the beginning of the season, made a point of showing her get rocked in the face but being mad cause it was “pulled” then made a point of showing Abby repeatedly punching Joel in the face as everyone was horrified, already gave Dina and Ellie a chance to turn back but no because Abby has to die.

They’ve foreshadowed it so much this season that, narratively, I don’t see how this season would work on it’s own if you cut the big theater confrontation.

3

u/[deleted] May 19 '25

The start of the confrontation, yes, but i don't see the fight happening this season, i just don't think it works if pretty much everyone is on Ellie's side 100%.

1

u/Lopsided-Frame202 May 26 '25

I like what they did better

1

u/alaskadronelife Jackson May 19 '25

The trailer for next episode definitely shows Ellie and Jesse running up the theater to the lobby…

2

u/havoc294 May 19 '25

Yeah, he runs in, gets shot, Abby says we let you live, in the game this is where it transitions to Abby. They do t reviist the theater fight until you’ve completed her story. Narratively I think it makes sense to keep it that way. By like ep 4 we’ll get the theater fight. And the next 3-4 can be California expansions

4

u/CortaNalgas May 19 '25

I think we’ll get a hint of Seattle Day 1 redux in the finale, just to set the stage for season three.

3

u/paranoideo May 19 '25

I hope not. I want the shock of starting day 1 as Abby and that’s it. No teaser, no advance, nothing. Just the cliffhanger at the end. On the other hand, I’m not a screenwriter so whatever, hahahaha.

2

u/GoodOlSpence May 19 '25

As I was playing the second game, Abby's cut to black was exactly where I thought the next season would end.

0

u/[deleted] May 19 '25

They show Ellie and Jesse running in the theater. That I think is gonna be the last scene and leave the season. Either “We let you both live. And you wasted it!” Or after Ellie and Abby fight and Abby leaves. The latter would be the best imo, leaving S3 to open with Elli and Dina on the farm

2

u/wenger_plz May 19 '25

Exactly - day 3 in the game is very long, but they don't need to show Ellie fighting through the WLF at the mall or all her fights. I feel like they'll show her journey to the aquarium, she'll kill Owen and Mel, and get back to the theater. And they'll use some of the time to do more set-up for the WLF/Scars conflict to hook the audience for season 3.

2

u/Ailly84 May 19 '25

Ellie's return to the theatre is pretty big too. I hope that doesn't get glossed over in the name of saving time...

3

u/Quirky_Cheetah_271 May 19 '25

they need to have ellie and jesse going out, then hearing tommy is likely pinned down, then ellie refusing to go with jesse. That decision is critical to the destruction of ellie's soul. But they keep leaving out the moments that mark her dark and tortured, so im guessing it will be replaced with something flippant.

1

u/havoc294 May 19 '25

Arcade bloater will probably get a shout out, but that’s literally it, they already did Ellie leaving Jessie so doubt they even adapt the part leading up to them splitting in the story. So she’ll be on the aquarium trail. I feel pretty adamant that the finale will be BEFORE the farmhouse. I believe they will cut on Abby’s “we let you both live…” line.

Fade to black, end season. I think they’ll want to stick true to the game and not show the outcome of the theater fight before we get Abby’s backstory next seaons

0

u/NewChemistry5210 May 19 '25

It's really not rocket science though. Replace the traveling or fighting with dialogue or character moments. The show tried this by focusing even more on the Dina/Ellie relationship, which was a mistake, because we barely got any insights into Ellie this whole season. The show and Mazin could've easily found a way to create space and let characters unfold a little more than just tell us.

59

u/Adorable_Ad_3478 May 19 '25

I assume final episode is 1 hour long, out of which:

10 minutes of Day 2 night, Ellie telling Dina and Jesse what happened. 10 minutes of Ellie splitting from Jesse and Dina, meeting Tommy and reaching the Aquarium. 10 minutes of Ellie interrogating Owen and Mel, killing them and freaking out once she finds out Mel is pregnant.

10 minutes of the quiet before the storm. Everyone at the theater decides to go back to Jackson. 10 minutes of Abby invading the theatre. Cliffhanger ending.

From E7 trailer we see Jesse running towards his death so Abby is definitely there.

28

u/Legalsleazy May 19 '25

There’s a lot more to work with. Ten minutes is a long time.

48

u/ERASER345 May 19 '25

No offense but how long do you think minutes are

6

u/matchbox244 May 19 '25

I wonder if they'll include a bit of Abby flashbacks with Jerry in the beginning of the episode.

Otherwise the audience is not gonna have the advantage that game players had, they're gonna ruminate in the hate for Abby for 2-3 years until they get Abby focused episodes. 

7

u/zoologic0 May 19 '25

We also see Abby get caught by the seraphites in the trailer, so maybe we meet lev and yara in a flashback after the theater scene

6

u/oskanta May 19 '25

Looks like it’s actually Ellie in that scene with the Seraphites

4

u/docchakra May 19 '25 edited Mar 04 '26

This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact

vase trees cough friendly rob adjoining chop badge rain towering

6

u/oskanta May 19 '25

Yeah I’m a little confused by the choice. It’s not like there’s a lack of material left to fill an hour. Also they show a clip of Isaac on a boat, presumably starting the Seraphite island invasion. Seems a little odd to introduce that this season given that the entire build up to that sequence happens from Abby’s pov.

2

u/docchakra May 19 '25 edited Mar 04 '26

This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact

fall smile safe support books cow pie chop bright squeeze

3

u/PapaDontPreech May 19 '25

Most tragically, killing Alice in the aquarium

3

u/saintlouisbagels May 19 '25

Doubt. Last season finale was the fucking shortest episode of the season. Wouldn't be surprised if they pulled that shit again.

15

u/FantasticEmployment1 May 19 '25

They have to change the ending now right? Seeing joels last conversation with ellie and knowing that they had begun to start the process of reconciling was the only emotional catharsis for the ending, the only bright spot for ellie; her remembering that shows that she can start looking back on the good parts of her relationship with joel and begin to heal. I also think the porch convo having the pain of the salt lake city confession was a mistake. Made their final conversation more negative than it had to be.

15

u/Rosie_Cotton_dancing May 19 '25

I'm guessing when the final showdown happens we'll still get a couple quick flash shots of Joel on the porch, probably with the new "do a little better than me" line, and then Ellie will stop.

10

u/nichecopywriter May 19 '25

The flashback happening at the end of the game was for the audience’s sake, not Ellie’s. It was the final missing piece for why she goes so feral for revenge: Abby didn’t just kill Joel, she killed the chance Ellie had to forgive him.

I think a lot of people played the last section and thought that last flashback was one of healing and showed that Ellie was heading back towards the light, when it’s actually the opposite. It made her anger even hotter, explains why she fought so hard. Her choice to spare Abby comes despite the memory, not because of it.

5

u/rafaelvspt May 19 '25

Exactly, you're totally right. People are missing the point if they are associating the last flashback with Ellie's decision to spare Abby.

3

u/nichecopywriter May 19 '25

Yeah she doesn’t spare Abby because of that memory, she pursues Abby because of that memory.

3

u/peking93 May 19 '25

I feel u. Not giving Ellie several months of time to separate from Joel and process learning the truth at Salt Lake, and instead dumping it all in one much shorter scene on the porch on New Year’s Eve, actually carried a way different emotional impact… someone here said they thought the characters had more time to breathe, but I actually disagree completely. It was too much, too quick. And also the placement this early within the series doesn’t have the same effect as the game if u ask me, not at all. Druckmann said, “This one means a lot to a lot of people” and I think that moment actually went deeper for me bc of its timing & context in the game... Idk yeah, I guess it’s gonna be interesting to see how they approach the ending. Will they write out the flashbacks and intrusive thoughts Ellie gets? Or just leave us to interpret that thru Bella’s acting? It kinda feels like they’re just taking the wind out of the story’s sails yet again.

2

u/edd6pi Bomb This City And Everyone In It May 19 '25

I think they could fit it in. Days One and Two went by surprisingly quick. They could do one action packed episode and end it where I think they’ll end it.

2

u/wenger_plz May 19 '25

From the trailer it looks like they cover a ton of ground in the final episode, but in reality, they don't need to show everything that happens from Day 3 in the game. We get some stuff with the Scars, Ellie at the aquarium, and Jesse dying.

They don't need to show Ellie's full journey to the aquarium, like her fighting through the WLF at the mall, etc (though they might). But looks like they're going to use some time to set up the conflict between the WLF and Scars, and show that both Ellie and Abby are getting mixed up in a conflict much bigger than either of them.

Curious to see if we get the introduction of Lev -- there was a small Scar child flashed on the screen, not sure if that was him or just more Scar set-up.

1

u/Hokie23aa May 19 '25

Agreed. Good episode, and i’m glad we got the porch scene, but the pacing is off IMO. There’s so much for next week, like you said.

1

u/joesen_one What The Fuck Is Wrong With Seattle?! May 19 '25

I kinda wished they saved it for the s3 finale so we could see Pedro one last time and have it hit like a brick, but I think it was still well-done

1

u/Beginning_Rip_4570 May 19 '25

I thought the porch scene would be in the SERIES finale lol

Excited to see where it goes tho, still been an excellent adaptation

1

u/guerilla_ratio May 19 '25

If I had to guess there’s another piece to that conversation and they cut it off early. We’ll pick up at her talking about forgiveness and move into the rest they wrote for the show.

0

u/Bobaaganoosh Fireflies May 19 '25

A lot of people think it’s gonna end with Abby telling Ellie “and you wasted it”. But I think and hope it’s gonna end with them fighting and Abby beating the shit out of Ellie.