The sixth episode of The Last of Us on HBO Max has once again shown how a series can adapt a video game in a great way without sacrificing new ideas. The western touch of this chapter has proposed various narrative changes, but also lots of references.
The main differences between the game and the series have already become evident and we have been explaining them recently, so now it’s time to review the winks and easter eggs of The Last of Us chapter 6 with the game. Because Neil Druckmann and company have introduced a lot in episode 6 of The Last of Us.
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Episode 6 Preview _ The Last of Us _ HBO Max
You already know that the series is being very respectful with the players of The Last of Us Parte 1 introducing a number of nods to the game, but “Family” has gone a little further, since it has presented us with a good number of elements related to The Last of Us Parte 2.
Therefore, if you liked both the original game and the sequel, do not miss all the easter eggs of this episode 6 of the series, because there are a few and perhaps you could have overlooked some. Let’s go with those references!
white bunny
The chapter starts by introducing two new characters. Those closest to the game will have noticed that the husband carries with him some white rabbits As soon as the scene begins… and we couldn’t stop thinking about a specific scene when we saw them.
We refer to that moment when winter begins in the game, where a cute bunny comes out of his burrow to be pierced by an arrow from Ellie. That clip generated one of the best reactions on Twitch.
There are worse things on the other side of the river…
The couple who live isolated in the cabin (which is also a whole 90s reunion) warns Joel that on the other side of the river there are worse things that “simple” infected. Despite the fact that it is later clarified that everything is a strategy of the inhabitants of Jackson, the players are already on alert.
And it is that winter and snow in The Last of Us Part 1 have a very close relationship with one of the darkest moments of the plot. The mountains of Wyoming and Colorado hide David and his band of cannibalistic looters.
Sheep farm on the moon
In this sixth episode there are some accounts very important conversations between Joel y Ellie. Perhaps one of the most important at the level of references and emotional is the one that takes place in the shelter of the flames, which connects directly with The Last of Us Part 2.
Ellie once again makes clear her passion for astronomy anticipating these flashbacks that broke your heart in the game. For his part, Joel points out that he wants a farm with sheepsomething that Ellie herself would later be in charge of fulfilling in this sequel.
The prey
While it is true that the meeting between Joel and Tommy does not occur here in the series, Neil Druckmann and the creative team of HBO Max gives us players our dose of fan service by inserting a brief shot of a dam, a playable level within the first installment.
This was one of the most important chapters in the game, since we knew Tommy and Maria, and Ellie and Joel argued leading to the former’s escape. The parent-child relationship of both grew enormously.
Jackson – Killing infected at 800 meters
The representation of Jackson in the series is traced to what we saw in The Last of Us Part 2. While it’s true that the settlement in the first game doesn’t look much like it (we only saw it from a distance, but it was in a wooded area), the decor is extremely similar to that of the sequel.
In addition, here we witness a conversation between the brothers where Tommy boasts of shooting down infected at 800 meters with his rifle… something we put our hand in the fire for. The Miller’s younger brother is an excellent sniper, a TLOU Part 2 flashback proves it and if you don’t believe it, you can also ask Manny… although it may be difficult for you, of course.
“Oh Ellie…I think they should be terrified”
And perhaps it is in Jackson where an Easter egg takes place that not many expected. Joel, Ellie, Tommy and María chat in a large room that will sound familiar to you as the scene of one of the best kisses seen in video games.
We talked about that intimate dance between Ellie and ignoble in the sequel and it is that, to everyone’s surprise, the series has been able to present itself Dina with a fleeting glance. Who will be the partner of our beloved protagonist is shyly seen for a moment.
Every cowgirl needs her steed
And another of the key characters from The Last of Us Part 2 has also appeared in its younger version. On his walk through Jackson, Ellie is fascinated by a filly with a particular white spot on his face.
Indeed, it’s about Shimmer, the mare that Ellie rode during all the events of the sequel. On the other hand, the horse they use to travel to the university has certain differences with Callus, since the horse in the game is much more brown.
New winter look, traced conversations and giraffe
While at the settlement, Ellie receives new clothes, a sweatshirt with pink and white stripes which is once again one of the outfits that we saw in The Last of Us Part 1 during the winter chapter and in the events of Left Behind.
In addition, throughout this sequence in Jackson we witness a conversation traced to the game where the protagonists argue after Sarah’s name reappears.
The dialogues are nailed to the video game. Besides, a small nod to a beautiful moment in the game sneaks in without making a sound. Have you noticed the painting? A giraffe…
Plunderers and Plunderer Monkeys
While it is true that the eastern Colorado part of the university is much shorter than in the game, the scenery of the series is extremely similar. And this is already confirmed with the presence of “monets” in the surroundings.
In fact, the HBO Max production is inspired by one of the scenes in the game, in which we enter a room and the macaques are making noise around there. After these come the looters, four members who are not alone… David’s band has already shown up.
The Path – Never Let Me Down Again
We have had musical winks. The trip sequence to the university leaves us with a music that traces that western roll of the chapter. If you’re thinking that that melody sounds familiar to you… you’ve hit the nail on the head, since it’s “The Path”, the theme composed by Gustavo Santaolalla that plays in the end credits of the game.
And we end with a reference to the series itself. This “meta” easter egg is also of a musical nature and is that at the end of the episode “Never Let Me Down Again” by Depeche Mode plays again, a song that has already been heard in the series within the arc of Bill and Frank in the episode 3.
Although here, the letter alludes directly to Joel and Ellie and is a much more emotional “cover”. “I’m taking a walk with my best friend. I hope he never lets me down again. He knows where he takes me. He takes me where I want to be.”
Now it’s time to wait for the adaptation of Left Behind and so that the wait doesn’t get hard, you can always review all the easter eggs, winks and references to the games in episodes one, two, three, four and five, as well as all the differences of the series with the game until this moment.
