[WARNING: MILD SPOILERS FOR THE LAST OF US SEASON 2]
A lot of fans are excited to return to the world of The Last of Us this April, and what’s interesting is that game director Neil Druckmann is actually at the helm of one episode—specifically Episode 6.
Though no details have been released about what happens in that ep, the way that Druckmann describes it, game audiences can make a good guess of what would happen in that particular episode.
“I’m Very Proud of It”
Talking with Variety (via @DomTheBombYT) during the red carpet for The Last of Us Season 2, Druckmann was asked about the episode he directed—Episode 6— and this was his reply:
“That episode is really special because it really gets into the heart of what the show’s about with characters that we love so much—I’m being very careful here because I don’t want to spoil—There’s something both fans of the show and fans of the games—I think they’re going to be really moved by this episode, or at least that’s what I’m hoping because I’m moved now when I’m editing it, and I’m doing color correction…”
Though Druckmann doesn’t give any specific details about what happens in his episode, it’s very likely he could be referring to a flashback sequence featuring Joel and Ellie. Druckmann continues, “Everybody worked really hard, but our actors—particularly in this episode—felt like they left a piece of their soul in the episode. I’m very proud of it.”
What Happens in Episode 6?
The way that the season is structured, fans speculate that the second season is only going to be covering the first half of the game—which focuses mostly on Ellie on her revenge mission in Seattle. If Druckmann’s episode is Episode 6—the second to the last episode of the season—it’s likely that his episode is going to be the flashback between Ellie and Joel celebrating Ellie’s 16th birthday; as well as the reveal that Joel lied to Ellie about what happened with the Fireflies.
Though some can guess that this episode will tackle Abby’s backstory, Druckmann does say that the episode is about ‘characters we love so much’; and since the game is designed to make players absolutely hate Abby at the very beginning, it’s very likely Druckmann isn’t talking about her.
At best, Abby’s journey is going to be the main focus of the third season, but fans should also expect some of her story to be explored in Season 2 as well to give full context as to why she ends up in Jackson in the beginning of the story.
If the series can replicate just how the game is supposed to make players feel, then the audience is in for one hell of an emotional rollercoaster.
Wait and See
Then again, fans will just have to wait and see what happens. The first season did take some liberties with the story, but nevertheless, they delivered when it came to the core themes of the game.
Maybe the fan speculation is right, but if Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann are to be trusted, they will probably try their best to keep everyone in the audience on their toes.
Catch The Last of Us Season 2 when it premieres on Max this April 13.