Editor’s Note: The following contains spoilers from Episode 5 of The Last of Us and both of The Last of Us video games.We’re in the final episodes of HBO’sThe Last of Usand picking up on a highly crucial part of the story. After Joel and Ellie’s touching reunion, Joel gets stabbed by a group of hunters. Now, it’s up to Ellie to keep him alive, but that’s what we’re focusing on this week. Titled “Left Behind”, episode seven shows us that Joel is wrong, and that Ellie has some idea of what loss looks like. As always, we’ll be discussing some of the standout Easter eggs and references in Episode 7, just likewe do every week.
Left Behind
HBO’sThe Last of Ushas been a faithful adaptation ofThe Last of Us Part I, but things took a significant turn this week when we got a flashback episode dedicated to Ellie’s time in Boston before meeting Joel and Tess. Unlike the reimagining of Bill and Frank’s story in Episode 3, Episode 7 is heavily influenced by the video games. This week’s episode tells the story of Ellie and her best friend Riley (Storm Reid), as the two have the best and worst day of their lives. While we don’t learn about Ellie’s backstory inThe Last of Us Part I, we get it in the game’s DLC,The Last of Us: Left Behind. The episode title is a direct reference to the DLC, and while Riley has been mentioned a few times in previous episodes, we finally get to meet her here.
Take On Me
We quickly learn that Ellie has a walkman, and her cassette tap is ofA-Ha’s debut album,High and Low. The first track on the album is none other than the 1985 classic,Take On Me. In The Last of Us Part II, we learn thatTake On Meis one of Ellie’s favorite songs, leading to arguably the most significant moment in the game.Take On Mewas used inThe Last of Us Part II, the HBO series' final trailer, and is now used in this episode. Not only do we see the cassette on Ellie’s desk, but we also get a needle drop once Ellie and Riley arrive at the mall.
Ellie’s Sleeves
You might not have noticed, but Ellie has been wearing long sleeve tees and hoodies the entire season. That’s becauseshe has been hiding her bite mark, so those around her won’t think she’s infected. However, since she hasn’t been bitten for the majority of the episode, we see Ellie sporting a short sleeve t-shirt.
It goes one step further. Ellie’s t-shirt also doubles as a reference to the tank top she wears inThe Last of Us: Left Behind. It’s the same striped pattern and color—one of the many costume homages throughout the series.
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Ellie’s Obsession with Guns
Throughout the series, Ellie is obsessed with firearms. In Episode 3,we see her steal Frank’s gunoff the mantle, and just last week, we saw Ellie learning how to use a rifle. In this episode, Ellie quickly asks for Riley’s gun after seeing it on her hip. This isn’t just a running theme in the video game but has also become prevalent in the show itself. Ellie has always wanted to be strong and views weapons as a form of protection, which is why she’s always carrying her switchblade. Both were tools she and Riley needed to kill the stalker in the mall.
The Macho Nacho
We haven’t gotten many Naughty Dog references inThe Last of Us, but that changes here. Riley takes Ellie to a Mexican restaurant in the food court called Macho Nacho. This Taco Bell knockoff was first seen in theLeft BehindDLC but was later referenced inUncharted 4: A Thief’s End. Nate and Elena have anoptional conversationin which Elena references her first job as being at a Macho Nacho. With theUnchartedfilm released just last year, seeing that small connection between the two franchises is fun. MaybeTom Holland(Nathan Drake) will be reading the adventures of Savage Starlight in theUnchartedsequel.
Flashlight Hitting and Rummaging Through Drawers
We see Ellie looking through drawers and cabinets as she frantically searches for supplies. Players will instantly recognize this as one of the main game mechanics fromThe Last of Usvideo games. We even see her hitting the flashlight! Throughout this first season, we’ve seen small homages to the game gameplay. InEpisode 4Joel had to boost Ellie, and inEpisode 5, we saw the Bloater death animation. What will be in store for the final two episodes? We’ll have to wait and see!
The 80s Still Mean Trouble
While not necessarily a video game Easter egg, this next one is a reference to earlier episodes ofThe Last of Us. InEpisode 1, Ellie quickly deciphers the code that Tess, Frank, Bill, and Joel use to communicate. We know that each era of music had a different meaning, but notably, 80s music meant trouble. In this episode, not only do we hear the aforementionedTake On Me, but also another 80s omen. As Ellie and Riley ride the carousel, you may notice that it’s playing a familiar tune. That song isJust Like HeavenbyThe Cure. While yes, this song is from the 1980s and by itself is a warning of trouble ahead for our young ladies, it goes one step further.
The song is about a dreamy day with a loved one near the seashore, and while it feels too good to be true, the singer sea has stolen their love, leaving them alone. The lyrics mirror Ellie and her relationship with Riley. For most of the episode, Ellie is having the best day of her life with the girl she loves, but that ultimately ends in heartbreak. The source of her joy (the mall) becomes the reason for her pain.
The Set Design
Ellie had to drag Joel to an abandoned building where she was trying to keep him alive. This basement is identical to what we see in the video game, down to Joel’s mattress. The mall is also a recreation of theLeft BehindDLC. While most of the shots are blue screen, including the one where Ellie watches the mall light up, showrunnersNeil DruckmannandCraig Mazinrevealed inThe Last of Usofficial podcast that they actually did film in a real dilapidated mall in Canada where they could recreate the scenes from the DLC. The attention to detail continues to be outstanding for the HBO team.
Joel’s Injury
Last week we see Joel and Ellie get attacked by a group of raiders. Joel fights them off but gets stabbed with a broken baseball bat. InThe Last of Us Part I, Joel suffers a more gruesome injury, falling from multiple stories high and landing on a metal bar. While both end with him getting stabbed in his lower abdomen, the show makes sure that it’s a tad more realistic. The wound is still somewhat manageable, so Ellie can still find a way to keep him alive.
Naughty Dog Logo
We get a blink-and-you-miss-it reference of Naughty Dog studios at the 7:35 mark! Naughty Dog is a PlayStation first-party studio that has produced many video game franchises—notably,Jak and Daxter,Uncharted, and of course,The Last of Us. This week’s episode was written by Naughty Dog’s Co-President, Neil Druckmann, who was the driving force behindThe Last of Part I, Left Behind,andPart II.
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