The recent episode of the popular HBO series The Last of Us is packed with remarkable scenes.
Although episode eight, titled “When We Are In Need,” is characterized by suspense, intensity, and a bit more action than is customary in the show, viewers are currently captivated by a relatively tranquil moment — when Pedro Pascal’s character, Joel, affectionately refers to Bella Ramsey’s Ellie as “baby girl.”
This simple phrase carries significant weight within the larger narrative of The Last of Us.
Why It Matters When Joel Calls Ellie, “Baby Girl”
The relationship between Joel and Ellie in both the HBO show and Naughty Dog’s game develops slowly and reaches its peak during the winter season.
Despite their initial hesitations towards each other, they eventually open up about their pasts and future aspirations.
Although the specifics of their conversations vary between the show and the game, they share intimate details about grief and express their deepest desires for a world free of the deadly cordyceps fungus.
Their experiences have allowed them to fight and survive together, but they can finally let their guards down and truly connect.
Ellie has found a sense of companionship that has been absent in the apocalyptic world, while Joel can show care and compassion for someone in a way he has not done in two decades.
Throughout The Last of Us, Joel is guarded and reluctant to open up to Ellie fully, but it becomes clear that his initial resistance is rooted in his grief.
He lost his daughter, Sarah, during the initial outbreak of the cordyceps fungus, and he still carries the weight of that trauma. The watch Sarah gave him is a constant reminder of his loss, and Joel’s occasional glances hint at the deep pain he still feels.
However, as Joel and Ellie’s journey progresses, he opens up and cares for her as he did for Sarah.
This is made explicit in the show’s sixth episode, where Joel and his brother Tommy discuss Joel’s fear of losing Ellie and his reluctance to get too close to her. But by the end of episode eight, Joel and Ellie’s relationship has fully blossomed, with Ellie proving that she can protect Joel just as he has protected her.
When Joel finds Ellie in the episode’s final scene, Joel embraces her and calls her “baby girl,” a term of endearment that he used for Sarah.
This moment is significant as it represents the deepening of their relationship and the bridge that has formed between them. Despite their individual and shared trauma, Joel and Ellie have found solace in each other and formed an unbreakable bond.
It’s understandable why viewers were captivated by the emotional scene between Joel and Ellie in The Last of Us. Pascal and Ramsey’s performances were exceptional and genuinely conveyed the depth of their characters’ relationship.
With this scene, new fans are likely to be fully invested in the story of Joel and Ellie. Regardless of the outcome, it will be fascinating to see how fans react to the conclusion of this gripping story.
