The flashback is set in the Boston Quarantine Zone (QZ) several months before Ellie meets Joel.
Recalling Riley's words about not giving up, Ellie chooses not to abandon the injured Joel. She searches the abandoned house for supplies and uses a needle and thread to stitch his abdominal wound. Thematic Significance and Critical Reception The Last of Us: 1Г—7
Critics from IGN and The Guardian noted the episode explains Ellie's foundational trauma and her intense fear of being left alone. The flashback is set in the Boston Quarantine
They play Mortal Kombat II after Riley breaks into a coin machine. The episode is a faithful retelling of the
They ride it while sharing a bottle of alcohol.
The episode is a faithful retelling of the Left Behind DLC from the original video game.
Interweaves two timelines—one where Ellie frantically tries to save a critically injured Joel in the present, and another detailing the night she was bitten while exploring an abandoned mall with her best friend, Riley. Key Story Beats (The Mall Flashback)