Craig Mazin reveals how Joel and Ellie's Relationship has changed in new season of 'The Last of Us'

IANS April 8, 2025 254 views

The second season of 'The Last of Us' explores the complex relationship between Joel and Ellie, five years after their initial journey. Craig Mazin reveals deeper emotional tensions brewing between the characters, particularly focusing on Ellie's growing independence and Joel's struggle to understand her changing attitude. A new character, therapist Gail, provides additional perspective on their challenging dynamic. The season promises to delve into the unresolved emotional aftermath of Joel's lie at the hospital.

"You can't exist in a state of conflict with somebody like that for five straight years. It's not possible" - Craig Mazin
Mumbai, April 8: Hollywood filmmaker Craig Mazin, who is known for 'Chernobyl', 'Scary Movie' franchise and others, has shed light on the transformation of the relationship of the lead pair of his show 'The Last of Us'.

Key Points

1

Joel and Ellie navigate emotional distance after five years together

2

Therapist Gail offers insights into their relationship dynamics

3

Ellie's growing independence challenges their bond

4

Unresolved hospital lie continues to impact their connection

The second season of the show, which is set to release next week, dives deeper into the complexities of the relationship of the lead characters of Joel and Ellie.

He said, "When we meet Joel and Ellie this season, five years have gone by, which in and of itself implies that things must have been going pretty well. They're still alive. They live in Jackson. And even between the two of them, things must have been going well. You can't exist in a state of conflict with somebody like that for five straight years. It's not possible".

However, not everything is as calm as it seems. Beneath the quiet routine of life in Jackson, tensions are beginning to surface. The lie Joel told Ellie about what really happened at the hospital continues to weigh on their bond.

Now 19, Ellie isn't a child anymore, she's grown, changed, and Joel senses a shift in her that he can't quite explain. "And interestingly, Joel is trying to figure out why, which in and of itself implies that this is not something that's been going on for five years; it's somewhat recent. Why is she angry?", Mazin shared.

Adding a fresh layer to the story this season is the introduction of a new character, Gail, played by Catherine O'Hara. A therapist in Jackson, Gail becomes a sounding board for Joel as he tries to process Ellie's growing emotional distance.

Mazin shared that Joel is going to therapy to figure out how to deal with what he thinks, or what he hopes is a standard.

He added, "'I've got a 19-year-old kid who's wanting independence, turning away and rejecting Dad.' But what's really going on? Can I do something differently? And her point is, 'No, I don't believe that is what's going on.' And you can see that inside Joel, there is this suspicion that somehow, it is this flaw that he introduced into their relationship, this lie, that maybe is starting to be the problem".

'The Last of Us' season 2 is set to stream on JioHotstar from April 14 in English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada.

Reader Comments

S
Sarah K.
So excited for this new season! The way they're exploring Joel's guilt and Ellie's growth sounds amazing. That therapy angle is such a smart addition 👏
M
Miguel R.
I'm cautiously optimistic. The first season was perfect, and I hope they don't mess with the formula too much. The time jump makes sense though - can't wait to see how Ellie has changed!
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Tanya P.
Catherine O'Hara as a therapist? Genius casting! I love how they're showing Joel actually trying to work through his issues instead of just being gruff all the time. Character development! 🙌
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James L.
While I'm excited for the new season, I hope they don't stray too far from the survival horror elements that made the first season great. The relationship drama is important, but so is the tension of the infected world.
A
Anika B.
That line about "you can't exist in conflict for five years" really hit me. Makes total sense that they'd have found some peace before new tensions emerge. So excited to see Bella Ramsey portray older Ellie!
D
Derek S.
Respectful criticism here - I hope they don't make Joel too soft. His gruff exterior was part of what made him compelling. Therapy is interesting but he shouldn't lose that edge completely.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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Tags:
The Last of Us Craig Mazin Joel Ellie HBO Series Post-Apocalyptic Drama TV Adaptation
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