“In the world of television, there are few shows that have managed to captivate audiences and evoke emotions like ‘The Last of Us’, the critically acclaimed HBO series, has done. The show’s creator, Craig Mazin, has proven to be a master of storytelling, weaving a narrative that is both hauntingly beautiful and painfully relatable. And now, in a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he’s given us a glimpse into the making of one of the most emotional episodes of the series – one that will leave you crying for a whole hour.
‘The Last of Us’ Creator on Pedro Pascal’s Return Making You Cry for an Hour – The Hollywood Reporter
Pedro Pascal’s return to HBO’s The Last of Us in a flashback-filled episode packed an emotional wallop, filling in several blanks in Joel and Ellie’s (Bella Ramsey) tumultuous relationship. Starting with a look at Joel’s abused childhood, a series of sequences followed, set during Ellie’s birthdays — since the duo settled in Jackson — and showing what went down on the porch the night before Joel’s murder.
The scenes throw all sorts of complex lighting into previous events, but perhaps most simply, they remind the audience of Joel’s extraordinary level of caring for Ellie — showing that the two had started down the road of reconciliation before Abby (Kaitlyn Dever) changed their fates forever.
Below, Neil Druckmann — who co-wrote the PlayStation game The Last of Us Part II and serves as a showrunner on The Last of Us, directing this week’s episode — discusses some of the hour’s pivotal moments and tangled moral and emotional quagmires.
Honoring the Game’s Original Performance
When I was working on this episode, I had two people on the front of my mind, which were Ashley Johnson and Troy Baker, who originally played these characters in the game. They gave such brilliant performances for very similar scenes that I wanted to honor what they’ve done, because they helped create those characters.
I just re-watched the game version of scene (watch it below). For this, I was particularly caught by Ellie asking Joel those questions that had been on her mind for so long, and the choice to just have Joel just be silent and nod. In the game, Ellie asked those questions at a different point.
Bella Ramsey’s Powerful Performance
I thought Bella gave a beautiful performance. I can’t imagine how difficult that would be. And I remember the day of shooting, I pulled Pedro and Bella aside and mentioned how important the scene is and how powerful it can be, and how important it is for their characters.
Specifically, “This is your last conversation with each other. You’ve been withholding all this stuff, all these questions, so hold nothing back.” If you watch Bella’s Ellie this season, she wears more of a mask than Ashley’s Ellie in the game. Here, the masks are fully off.
The Structure of Emotional Storytelling
One thing that fascinates to me about this season is the structure, which is obviously taken from the game, as well, where you lose Joel, and then have these flashbacks and each one changes how you view their relationship and his death, though they’re much more spaced out.
Yeah, let me talk to you about our thought process. You’re right that in the game, these scenes are spaced out, sometimes hours apart. If we spaced out these scenes and planted them throughout the season, I believe they wouldn’t land as powerfully because they’re short moments and work better when they’re next to each other and you can just see the comparison — it’s like their relationship is slowly deteriorating.
If we put one in an episode, and the other in another episode, it would be like they’re two separate scenes, and you wouldn’t get the same emotional impact. By having them together, it’s like their relationship is slowly deteriorating.
In the game, you lose Joel, and then have these flashbacks and each one changes how you view their relationship and his death, though they’re much more spaced out. This is why we chose to group the flashbacks together for maximum emotional impact.
The Nuances of Joel and Ellie’s Relationship
When we structured the episode, we wanted to reveal the complexities of their bond. By having the flashbacks together, we could show how Joel and Ellie’s relationship is built on trust and care for each other.
This is why the porch scene is so powerful. It’s like their last conversation with each other, and it shows how much they’ve grown and changed since the beginning of the season.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Craig Mazin’s candid discussion with The Hollywood Reporter has shed light on the emotional toll of Pedro Pascal’s return in “The Last of Us.” The article has delved into the creative process behind the show’s most heart-wrenching moments, showcasing the mastery of Mazin and Pascal’s collaboration. The significance of this topic lies in its ability to humanize the characters, making the audience invested in their stories and, consequently, more susceptible to emotional manipulation.
As the television landscape continues to evolve, shows like “The Last of Us” will set a new standard for storytelling and emotional resonance. The implications of this are profound, suggesting that future productions will focus on crafting narratives that not only entertain but also evoke a deep sense of emotional connection with the audience. As we move forward, it will be fascinating to observe how this trend shapes the industry and the content we consume.