Why Ellie Sings Future Days in The Last of Us Season 2, But Doesn’t Finish?

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As a devoted fan, I found myself captivated by Ellie’s poignant scene in The Last of Us Season 2, Episode 5. This time around, instead of strumming silently on her guitar, she began to croon Pearl Jam’s “Future Days.” However, the song remained unfinished, leaving us hanging. For those who’ve played the game, this wasn’t simply a musical Easter egg; it held deeper significance. Here’s a brief explanation for those who might be curious about its meaning.

Why Ellie sings Future Days but doesn’t finish it in The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 5?

In “The Last of Us” Season 2, Episode 5, the title “Future Days” isn’t merely a coincidence; it’s significantly linked to Joel and Ellie’s bond. This song appears in “The Last of Us Part II,” where Joel plays it for Ellie after presenting her with a guitar. This moment becomes a significant memory for her. The lyrics, particularly “If I ever were to lose you, I’d surely lose myself,” come to represent their intricate relationship. It serves as a reminder, one of the last emotional ties between them before Joel’s sorrowful demise.

In the HBO series, they stick to the heartfelt essence of the original. In Season 2, she discovers a guitar in the very same music store from the game. As she plays the familiar chords, she experiences a brief sense of connection with Joel. Yet, the pain is overwhelming, causing her to halt.

Neil Druckmann, a key figure in creating The Last of Us, shared an interesting tale behind incorporating “Future Days” into Part II. During an interview with Kinda Funny, he mentioned that after finishing the first game, Geoff Keighley approached them with an idea for The Last of Us: One Night Live. This event would involve bringing the actors on stage to perform scenes from the game live.

Druckmann went on to explain, “In the scene I penned, Joel presents Ellie with a guitar. A palpable tension exists between them, and there’s a melody… During that period, I was deeply fond of Pearl Jam and utterly captivated by the tune.

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2025-05-12 09:35