Yes, Joel Comes Back in 'The Last of Us' Season 2. Here's What to Know

Fans of HBO's The Last of Us got a special treat Sunday night for Episode 6, thanks to the return of Joel Miller, played by Pedro Pascal. The whole episode was on big emotional saga, especially since the character was brutally killed earlier in Season 2. Joel came back in an unexpected way, and there are some key details to know. Spoilers ahead.

The Last of Us Season 2, Episode 6 Recap: Does Joel Come Back?

Pascal returns as Joel in Season 2, Episode 6 of The Last of Us, following his heartbreaking and gruesome death in the second episode. The new episode, which aired May 18, offered viewers a lot of context to the action-packed storyline that's dominated the new season. Joel doesn't come back from the dead. Instead, the sixth episode explored Joel's past through a series of flashbacks, particularly one that shows him take on the role of protector with his brother Tommy Miller (Gabriel Luna).

In an opening 1983 flashback, Joel attempts to protect his brother from their abusive father, Javier Miller (Tony Dalton). This sequence sets up the rest of the episode as it shows Joel navigate his relationship with Ellie (former L'OFFICIEL cover star) Bella Ramsey and the adoptive father role that teaches him the meaning of fatherhood and breaking the cycle of abuse.

The Last of Us Season 2, Episode 6 Recap: What Happens Between Joel and Ellie in the Flashbacks?

Episode 6 was centered around Joel and Ellie, and through a series of flashbacks, fans were able to see what happened between the father-daughter duo in the subsequent events leading up to his death. There are heartfelt moments, like Joel surprising Ellie with a vanilla cake and handmade guitar for her birthday. Fans also got to see a concerned Joel after Ellie burns her arm to try and conceal her bite mark. She just wanted to be able to wear short sleeves again and not risk people realizing she's immune.

There's a time jump throughout the flashback scenes between one and two years, and it always lands on Ellie's birthday with Joel fully committed to making it a special day for her and ensuring that she feels celebrated and loved. Fans get to see the immense love that Joel has for Ellie (let the uncontrollable sobs begin). However, bad memories come with the good, and the tension between the two begins to show. 

The Last of Us Season 2, Episode 6 Recap: When Does Joel Tell Ellie About What He Did to the Fireflies?

This episode finally revealed how Ellie knew what really happened between Joel and the Fireflies.

There's a flashback scene where Joel and Ellie encounter Gail Lynden (Catherine O'Hara), and Joel lies about what happened to her husband. Joel lies to Gail and tells her Eugene took his own life, but Ellie is quick to step in and call him out for lying. She tells Gail the truth: Joel killed him after he was bitten, despite Joel promising Ellie and Eugen he'd bring Eugene back to see Gail one last time. Seeing him break his promise to Eugene and to Ellie led to a breaking point for them. 

Then, months later, on New Year's Eve, there's a confrontation between Joel and Ellie. She asks Joel one last time for the truth what really happened with the Fireflies. Were there really raiders? Joel came clean, and everything was laid bare in this conversation, with Joel admitting he killed them because they would have killed her to create a cure. He added \he would do it all over again if it meant saving her, and Ellie filled with fury and guilt that so many people have to die since she didn't.

He tries to explain why he did what he did. It was "because I love you in a way you can't understand," he says.

The Last of Us Season 2, Episode 6 Recap: Parenthood

The love of a parent knows no bounds, and any parent would go to extreme lengths for their child. At this point, Ellie doesn't know what it means to be a parent, and until that day arrives, Joel's actions are unfathomable to her. The next words Joel says to her bring his fatherhood journey full circle. 

"If you should ever have one of your own, well then, I hope you do a little better than me," he says. Recall that these are the words his father said to him earlier in the episode. The emotional scene confirmed to fans that Ellie was willing to forgive Joel for what happened with the Fireflies, but sadly, the events that follow cut short their healing journey as Abby kills Joel to avenge her father's death. 

Ultimately, Episode 6 is a profound tale, within the action-packed zombie TV show, about love and parenthood. The flashback episode was much needed amid Season 2's journey. The next episode will likely turn back to Ellie and Dina's (Isabela Merced) quest for revenge.

The Last of Us season 2 finale is set to air on May 25 on HBO and Max.