The Joke The Last Of Us Made In Episode 2 That'll Have Gamers Laughing
Contains spoilers for "The Last of Us" Season 1, Episode 2
The ball is officially rolling between television's newest dynamic duo as the second episode of "The Last of Us" saw us hit the road with Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey), with Tess (Anna Torv) in tow to get the seemingly walking, talking cure to the Fireflies. While we've already suffered a casualty of the traveling troupe (RIP Tess), the one positive in this terrifying new world is the sharp back-and-forth between Ellie and her protector. Capturing the chemistry of the game's original pair ignited by OG Joel and Ellie, Troy Baker, and Ashley Johnson, it's clear that live-action alternates are nailing it just as well.
Still clearly unsure about each other as they embark on this challenging journey, every conversation between the two is a barbed one, sometimes underestimating the other on occasion. There's one stand-out spat between the pair that would've got a chuckle from fans of the original game and hints at an issue that may eventually tighten the bond that might come sooner in the timeline than the games the show is inspired by.
Ellie has an issue that wades through familiar waters for gamers
During their trip through the city, after dodging Clickers and keeping a low profile, Joel's 'cargo' almost hits a snag when they come across a pool of water they bypass. While Joel and Tess don't see an issue, Ellie expresses her concerns about not being able to swim, which annoys a certain flannel shirt-wearing savior. It turns out not to be as deep as Ellie expected, allowing her to wade through it a little embarrassed. It's a funny moment that will most likely get an extra laugh from fans of the game, given that Ellie's inability to swim is a significant issue in the game, for Joel and the player, at least.
In the game, Ellie, unable to swim, sees you as Joel having to find the nearest makeshift raft and push her around anywhere that might require doggy paddling. It's a bit of a nuisance in the game but makes for many of the game's puzzle areas for you to overcome. This is resolved in "The Last of Us Part II" when a flashback reveals Joel eventually taught her how to swim between the two games. Given we don't know just how far the series will take us, there's a chance we might see this exact resolution. For now, we can only wait and see as the show continues, and we keep an eye out for any wooden palettes nearby.