The Last of Us S02E04: Ellie’s Song & Its Connection to Joel, Explained

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Are you wondering which song Ellie sings in “The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 4″? In this episode, as Ellie and Dina have a peaceful moment inside a deserted music store, the performance delivers an emotional impact, serves as a significant callback to the initial game, and offers a more profound insight into Ellie’s bond with Joel.

Here’s a breakdown of the song Ellie performs and how it ties into her relationship with Joel.

What song does Ellie sing in The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 4?

In the fourth episode of The Last of Us Season 2, Ellie strums an acoustic adaptation of “Take on Me” by a-ha for Dina as they pass time inside a deserted music shop. This scene mirrors an optional moment from The Last of Us Part II game, where players might encounter Ellie singing the same tune in a comparable location.

In The Last of Us Season 1, the same song was played during the mall scene featuring Ellie and Riley, subtly indicating this later moment. Once Ellie finishes playing, she acknowledges that Joel’s guitar lessons were worthwhile. This statement implies that Joel indeed taught her to play, a detail hinted at in the season premiere when he offered to fix her broken guitar strings.

How is the song Take On Me connected to Joel?

Playing ‘Take on Me’ evokes Ellie’s recollections of Joel, her mentor in guitar playing who passed away. In the music store, as she strums the chords he showed her, every rendition serves as a poignant tribute to their relationship.

Initially, Ellie plays “Future Days” by Pearl Jam – a tune that was once played for her by Joel – only to halt when Dina comes in. The TV adaptation disregards this specific detail, yet emphasizes the emotional bond via the focus on their “Take on Me” performance. This scene is significant because it’s the first time we see Ellie playing guitar throughout the series, highlighting Joel’s impact. Dina’s heartfelt response underscores the importance of Joel’s influence through music in her life.

Every Sunday, I tune into HBO and Max to catch the gripping series, “The Last of Us.” Co-created by the brilliant minds of Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, this post-apocalyptic drama follows the journey of Ellie, played by Bella Ramsey, and Joel, portrayed masterfully by Pedro Pascal.

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2025-05-05 06:42