We’re within the last episodes of HBO’s The Final of Us and choosing up on a extremely essential a part of the story. After Joel and Ellie’s touching reunion, Joel will get stabbed by a bunch of hunters. Now, it is as much as Ellie to maintain him alive, however that’s what we’re specializing in this week. Titled “Left Behind“, episode seven exhibits us that Joel is fallacious, and that Ellie has some thought of what loss seems to be like. As at all times, we’ll be discussing a few of the standout Easter eggs and references in Episode 7, identical to we do each week.
Left Behind
HBO’s The Final of Us has been a trustworthy adaptation of The Final of Us Half I, however issues took a big flip this week once we received a flashback episode devoted to Ellie’s time in Boston earlier than assembly Joel and Tess. Not like the reimagining of Invoice and Frank’s story in Episode 3, Episode 7 is closely influenced by the video video games. This week’s episode tells the story of Ellie and her finest buddy Riley (Storm Reid), as the 2 have the very best and worst day of their lives. Whereas we don’t find out about Ellie’s backstory in The Final of Us Half I, we get it within the sport’s DLC, The Final of Us: Left Behind. The episode title is a direct reference to the DLC, and whereas Riley has been talked about a number of instances in earlier episodes, we lastly get to fulfill her right here.
Take On Me
We rapidly be taught that Ellie has a walkman, and her cassette faucet is of A-Ha’s debut album, Excessive and Low. The primary observe on the album is none aside from the 1985 traditional, Take On Me. In The Final of Us Half II, we be taught that Take On Me is considered one of Ellie’s favourite songs, resulting in arguably probably the most vital second within the sport. Take On Me was utilized in The Final of Us Half II, the HBO sequence’ last trailer, and is now used on this episode. Not solely will we see the cassette on Ellie’s desk, however we additionally get a needle drop as soon as Ellie and Riley arrive on the mall.
Ellie’s Sleeves
You won’t have observed, however Ellie has been carrying lengthy sleeve tees and hoodies all the season. That’s as a result of she has been hiding her chunk mark, so these round her gained’t suppose she’s contaminated. Nonetheless, since she hasn’t been bitten for almost all of the episode, we see Ellie sporting a brief sleeve t-shirt.
It goes one step additional. Ellie’s t-shirt additionally doubles as a reference to the tank high she wears in The Final of Us: Left Behind. It’s the identical striped sample and colour—one of many many costume homages all through the sequence.
Ellie’s Obsession with Weapons
All through the sequence, Ellie is obsessive about firearms. In Episode 3, we see her steal Frank’s gun off the mantle, and simply final week, we noticed Ellie studying find out how to use a rifle. On this episode, Ellie rapidly asks for Riley’s gun after seeing it on her hip. This isn’t only a operating theme within the online game however has additionally turn out to be prevalent within the present itself. Ellie has at all times wished to be sturdy and views weapons as a type of safety, which is why she’s at all times carrying her switchblade. Each have been instruments she and Riley wanted to kill the stalker within the mall.
The Macho Nacho
We haven’t gotten many Naughty Canine references in The Final of Us, however that modifications right here. Riley takes Ellie to a Mexican restaurant within the meals courtroom known as Macho Nacho. This Taco Bell knockoff was first seen within the Left Behind DLC however was later referenced in Uncharted 4: A Thief’s Finish. Nate and Elena have an non-obligatory dialog by which Elena references her first job as being at a Macho Nacho. With the Uncharted movie launched simply final yr, seeing that small connection between the 2 franchises is enjoyable. Possibly Tom Holland (Nathan Drake) will probably be studying the adventures of Savage Starlight within the Uncharted sequel.