'The Last of Us’: Episode 5 packs nostalgia with Easter eggs and unexpected character from original game

The objects of 'The Last of Us' Episode 5 point out an unseen character 'Ish' from the game
PUBLISHED FEB 16, 2023
Official poster of 'The Last of Us' (HBO, The Last of Us Wiki)
Official poster of 'The Last of Us' (HBO, The Last of Us Wiki)

Warning: Spoilers for 'The Last of Us' Episode 5

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: While you may think that 'The Last of Us' is a story of saving the world, it isn't just that but also a tale of a horrific tragedy with moments of heart, hope, and humor amid the bleakness. The reason for this HBO Max hit's popularity amongst fans stems from the first fact that it's inspired by the game identically titled, and the second that it's rather wholesome that the directors added so many elements, in multiple scenes, that create a nostalgic moment for the fans of the game. 

The little surprises of throwbacks continued to Episode 5 of Season 1 which aired on 10 February. The episode might have been one of the favorites so far, as it had many easter eggs that referenced the storyline from the game and hinted at a new character that will be familiar to the people who played the game. 

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Who is the new character? 

While Episode 4 ended on a cliffhanger, where Joel and Ellie (Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey) befriend Henry and Sam  (Lamar Johnson and Keivonn Woodard) after the latter duo prove that they're safe and not infected, and the four of them carry on with the mission of running away from Melanie Lynskey's Kathleen and create a plan to escape Kansas City. While Henry turns out to be the brain behind the plan, Joel is the force that drives the plan. The foursome is seen running from 'The Last of Us' hunters and is seen taking a much-grounded route. The group takes the underground tunnel, a subterranean bunker that was once used by a group of survivors, and from this point begins the nostalgia for the fans. 

Through the subterranean bunker, its drawings, paintings, and debris of the unknown world, the objects of 'The Last of Us' Episode 5 point out an unseen character 'Ish' from the game. In 'The Last of Us' games 1 and 2, the stories of survivors from around the world are elocuted through collectibles. In the original game, the collectibles are something that tells a story and are to be found. One of the survivors from the game is named Ish, whose story is disclosed to a minimum, but there is an extended part that reveals her entire character arc. 

In the original game, it is portrayed that Ish was the first one to come to bunkers, later he found a family and asked them to stay with him. As time passed, a community was built in the bunker with schools, games, water catchers, and an entrance with children's drawings to make it seem like a castle. Later, Ish met another man named 'Danny', with the duo became the protectors of the bunker. On an unfaithful day, the bunker was left open, and an infected throng entered, leaving Ish's fate to be assumed. 

What were the easter eggs in Episode 5?

The latest episode of 'The Last of Us' had many easter eggs exemplifying this exact story, from the castle drawing to the goalpost drawn on the wall, which Sam takes a liking to. Later referencing the scene from the game, Sam and Eli are seen playing. Later upon entering, the group notices the whiteboards referencing the school and the rules written on the wall. The most conspicuous reference though was a drawing of Danny and Ish done by a kid that had "Our Protectors" written over it. This is the exact collectible that was shown in the original game. While we're excited about the next episode, we sure hope that it too takes us through the journey of many throwbacks from the game.  

The Last of Us is available exclusively on HBO Max, with new episodes every Sunday. 

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