Did Joel Die? Last of Us Episode 6 Ending Explained

The sixth episode of The Last of Us is available on HBO Max. It is hard to believe that we have already come so far, as it feels like yesterday when the video game adaptation started airing. It is a nine-episode-long series, and we are only two episodes away from the finale. But for now, let’s focus on what happened in the latest episode.

After the whole action-packed chaos and the emotional deaths, Episode 6 again mellows down. But it still takes us all on a sensitive ride. The latest episode once again brought the focus back on the two protagonists, Joel and Ellie. But the biggest question in this episode that remains: Did Joel succumb to the fatal wound he received in the end?

What happened in The Last of Us Episode Six?

This episode indicated that Joel was getting old and that he was losing his touch, which the game failed to show. He has started caring for Ellie, possibly even seeing her as his daughter. We have seen Joel as a brave guy who can fight anyone, but here we saw his vulnerabilities. In this episode, the Miller brother finally reunites with each other.

Joel also asked Tommy to deliver Ellie to fireflies, as he fears that he wasn’t capable of protecting Ellie any further. Initially reluctant to follow his older brother, Tommy eventually agreed after seeing Joel break down in front of him. However, Ellie wanted to complete the journey with Joel.

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Ellie also told Joel that she doesn’t need protection like Sarah, instead wants him to trust her capabilities. The old Miller eventually agreed to finish the journey with her. The two grew closer after leaving, and Joel started teaching Ellie to use a rifle. But the good moments saw an abrupt end when confronted by hunters at a run-down base. And in an encounter with one of them, Joel gets badly injured.

Did Joel’s chapter end in Episode 6?

The episode ends with Joel closing his eyes after falling off the horse. The biggest question it leaves is; did Joel die in the end? So far, this HBO adaptation is following the original game for most parts. In the game, Joel gets a severe wound, forcing Ellie to take on the role of the protector.

If the series follows the source, then we might see Joel in a comatose state. And Ellie would be the one looking after him. But the show’s creators are not scared to divert from the source, as they did in some instances already.

There are chances they might end Joel’s chapter in Episode 6 and write a new alternative ending for more impact on the audience. Only time will tell us how it unfolds. But it looks like the wait for that answer might be extended by another week as the next episode ponders on Ellie’s life before getting bitten.

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Do you think Joel died at the end of Episode 6? Share your thoughts about it in the comments below.