HBOâs The Last of Us introduces Javier Miller, Joel's father, shedding light on Joel's character. Javier, portrayed by Tony Dalton, is a cop who strives to raise his sons right, exemplifying generational trauma and repair. A flashback reveals young Joel trying to protect Tommy through violence, reflecting a dynamic that shapes his protective instincts towards Ellie. As shown in the episode, Joel's struggles with his paternal role highlight his love for Ellie amidst his insecurities stemming from his upbringing.
What Joel has done now is different. He used violence to protect his tribe, to protect Tommy, and now it's almost like there's something for them to relate to.
The dad ultimately says, 'I think I've done the right things, but I'm not entirely sure. I just know that I did things better than my dad, who beat me even worse.' His insecurity about that stays with Joel as well.
As we kept working on that scene, it became about something else, which is not only generational trauma, but generational repair and hope.
The episode is a series of flashbacks that ends with Ellie discovering that Joel had lied to her about there being dozens of immune people.
Collection
[
|
...
]