Just as fans were starting to heal from the poignant scenes of Episode 2, The Last of Us makes its return with Episode 6, stirring up old emotions once again. This chapter brings us a touching flashback, revisiting joyful moments shared between Ellie (Bella Ramsey) and Joel (Pedro Pascal), focusing on a series of Ellie’s birthdays in Jackson.
Now secure and content in their new abode, Joel delights in providing Ellie with the kind of life she’s never experienced — one enriched with warmth, celebration, and love. He surprises her with birthday cakes, hand-crafted gifts, outings, and even a sincere song — a scene that was subtly alluded to in Episode 5.
And this is no ordinary song. Just like the haunting performance that concluded Episode 2, Joel’s musical offering holds significant emotional depth and a direct link to the original video game.
What Song Does Joel Sing to Ellie?
After gifting Ellie a guitar he made himself, Joel initially hesitates but ultimately succumbs to her plea to sing. He strums the guitar and gently sings:
“If I ever were to lose you
I’d surely lose myself
Everything I have found dear
I’ve not found by myself
Try and sometimes you’ll succeed
To make this man of me
All my stolen missing parts
I’ve no need for anymore
I believe
And I believe ’cause I can see
Our future days
Days of you and me”
The song is “Future Days” by Pearl Jam, first released in 2013.
Last week, Mashable’s UK Editor Shannon Connellan examined the use of this song in The Last of Us Part II video game. In that version, Joel — voiced by Troy Baker — sings it in a similarly emotional setting, which you can view online.
Earlier in the season, the series also showcased Ellie (voiced by Ashley Johnson in the game) singing “Through the Valley,” another piece from the game’s soundtrack. Both songs were featured in Sony Music Entertainment’s digital album The Last of Us Part II: Covers and Rarities, launched on September 17, 2021.
What Does “Future Days” Mean in The Last of Us?
The significance of “Future Days” is multi-layered and deeply moving. In both the game and the series, Joel’s rendition of the song symbolizes his profound emotional tie to Ellie. She has become his reason for existence. Even Ellie, known for her sharp wit, recognizes the moment with an uncommon, genuine remark: “Well, that didn’t suck.”
However, the song’s meaning delves even deeper. Creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann decided to name the first episode of Season 2 after “Future Days,” using it to underscore the emotional gap that has formed between Joel and Ellie. The episode reveals that Joel is undergoing therapy, while Ellie is residing in the garage — a stark contrast to the happy memories depicted in the flashback.
Joel is earnestly trying to recapture those happier times, when Ellie laughed at his jokes and valued his efforts. Yet, the tragedy lies in the reality that he cannot return to those days, and she will not — a heartbreaking result of the events that transpired, especially Abby’s quest for revenge, which stole their future days together.
New episodes of The Last of Us Season 2 premiere Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.