In Episode 6 of The Last Of Us, the narrative leaps forward three months, painting a tense and uncertain future. Joel, gun in hand, confronts a couple, demanding information about his brother Tommy's whereabouts. Ellie, defying Joel's warnings to stay back, joins the fray, learning that the path westward is fraught with death and something potentially more horrific than the infected. Joel, though skeptical, finds himself nodding in agreement, his chest tightening with an unexplained ache.
The pair trudges through the bleak landscape, much like they have done throughout the season. They stop to build a fire, their conversation drifting to the uncertain future that lies ahead. Ellie mentions Sam, the young boy she once tried to save with her blood, a reminder of the pain and loss they have both endured.
Finally, they arrive at the dam, the so-called "river of death," surrounded by a group of men on horseback, guns aimed at them. Joel is forced to drop his weapon, and Ellie is ordered to step back. The leader inspects them both for signs of infection, using a specially trained dog to sniff out any traces. To their amazement, the dog sniffs Ellie without any reaction.
Upon learning that Joel and Ellie seek Tommy, they are escorted to a settlement bustling with activity. Among the workers, they spot Tommy, busy with construction. The brothers reunite in an emotional hug, and soon, they are invited to join the others for a meal.
However, Ellie remains on edge, lashing out at anyone who dares to look at her. She demands her gun be returned and insists that Joel congratulate Tommy on his marriage to Maria. She goes on to extol the virtues of communism, her words spilling out with passionate fervor. Joel, however, remains focused on his mission to take Ellie to the Fireflies in exchange for a car battery, hoping it will lead them to Tommy. But now, with the new revelations and complexities surrounding their characters, the mission seems more daunting and uncertain than ever.
Joel persisted in pleading for assistance to escort Ellie closer to her intended destination, yet Tommy firmly refused. He revealed his pending parenthood with Maria, stating that he would not be accompanying them any further. Joel gritted his teeth, ultimately conceding to leave him alone after procuring necessary provisions.
Prior to their departure, Joel emphasized Ellie's immunity, sparking a profound conversation between her and Joel about their journey and the nature of loss. In the end, Joel promised that their paths would diverge once their mission was accomplished.
As the dawn broke, Joel made the decision to depart on one of the horses. He presented Ellie with the choice of staying with Tommy or joining him, and she opted for the latter. Out in the vast and untamed wilderness, Joel and Ellie engaged in target practice, honing their skills before pressing onward to the university, where the Fireflies were rumored to be stationed.
Upon arrival, they found no guards in sight. As they cautiously ventured inside, they encountered only monkeys...and a map adorned with numerous pins, all pointing towards Salt Lake City. However, their discovery was interrupted by the sudden appearance of four scavengers. Joel and Ellie were forced to flee, despite having the advantage of a vantage point that could have potentially allowed them to shoot the intruders.
As they exited the building, one of the scavengers lunged at Joel, stabbing him in the abdomen. The other three hunters quickly emerged, prompting Ellie to fire blindly in defense. Fortunately, none of them were armed, allowing them to escape without further conflict. Nevertheless, Joel was wounded, clutching his stomach in agony as he ultimately slumped off the horse.
