In addition to wanting to hear Linda Ronstadt’s “Long, Long Time” repeated, Sunday’s The Last of Us also asked us: Will we ever see scenes from Joel’s life between 2003 and 2023, like episode 3 (read a full summary) gave us interludes from Bill and Frank?
So we put that question to Craig Mazin, co-creator/executive producer of the series, who basically said…probably not. But something potentially much more powerful is on the horizon.
“I don’t think we’re going to go backwards for that long, but Joel’s past defines his future,” the EP told TVLine. “There’s a specific moment I’m thinking about right now [hits] me so hard.”
What could Mazin mean? In episodes 1 and 2, both Pedro Pascal’s Joel and Anna Torv’s Tess referenced Joel’s less savory story. And you also have to consider the moment in the premiere where he looked back at the night Sarah was killed, which resulted in him smashing a FEDRA officer’s face into a gooey paste. (Read a full synopsis.) Conclusion? The guy has luggage. And according to Mazin, that baggage will inform a highly emotional, yet to be seen, point in the first season of the HBO drama.
Part of the reason the scene is so important, the EP added, is that “Pedro Pascal’s portrayal of Joel has so much soul and humanity and vulnerability, especially when Joel is alone. You know? He has to be a tough guy around everyone, but when he’s alone you can see his whole soul.”
The Last of Us airs Sundays at 9/8c on HBO.