A somber song plays over the conclusion of The Last of Us Season 2 episode 2, leaving viewers shaken. Shawn James’ “Through the Valley,” covered by Ashley Johnson for the game’s trailer, is sung over a devastating sequence that sees Ellie cradling Joel’s body after his death. The lyrics reflect on goodness and mercy following mortality, with Ellie seeming unfazed despite her grief.
The song holds significance beyond its surface-level interpretation as a eulogy for Joel. It serves as a warning from Joel to Ellie about the path of violence she may follow. However, this message falls flat given Ellie’s character development in the game.
The track is notable for being an Easter egg that only appeared in The Last of Us: Part II on Permadeath mode, emphasizing Joel’s irreversibility and mortality. This raises questions about Pedro Pascal’s character, Joel, leaving viewers with a sense of uncertainty. Will he appear again in this series? Only time will tell as the show continues to air weekly on HBO and Max.
Source: https://mashable.com/article/the-last-of-us-through-the-valley