‘The Last of Us’ Season 2, Episode 5 Ending Explained: Pedro Pascal Returns as Joel

Pedro Pascal made his grand return to The Last of Us as Joel Miller for the very first time since his character’s heartbreaking death.

In Touch recaps the ending of season 2, episode 5, and rounds up everything to know so far about the Game of Thrones alum’s future appearances on the show.

Warning: Spoilers Ahead!

Pedro Pascal Returned to ‘TLOU’ in Episode 5 of Season 2

Pedro appeared in a brief flashback that took place at the end of May 11, 2025, installment of the show.

After Ellie Williams (Bella Ramsey) is seen torturing Nora (Tati Gabrielle) for information on where to find Abby Anderson (Kaitlyn Dever) on her trek to avenge Joel’s murder, the mood suddenly shifts to better days. A flashback reveals Ellie sleeping in her bed in her old sun-drenched bedroom at the Jackson community in Wyoming.

Joel stands in the doorway and watches her with a warm expression. “Hey, Kiddo,” he says fondly as she wakes up with a bright smile.

‘TLOU’ Season 2 Will Feature an Endearing Fan-Favorite Flashback

The trailer for the sixth episode of season 2 teased at a fan-favorite moment from The Last of Us: Part II video game, when Joel brings Ellie to the ruins of the Wyoming Museum of Science and History to celebrate her 16th birthday.

Throughout the carefree moments of gameplay, Ellie eagerly bounces around the museum with the excitement of a child again. Joel watches her marvel over dinosaur bones and other exhibits as he makes playful remarks reminiscing about the Jurassic Park movies.

Later in the scene, Ellie is blown away when she sees an exhibit about space exploration. She and Joel both climb into an old space capsule as they share a sweet, father/daughter-like bonding moment together. As a gift, he gives her a cassette tape that he brought along especially for their trip. Ellie closes her eyes and imagines herself flying to space as she listens to the sounds of an actual space shuttle launch from before the Cordyceps brain infection outbreak.

Other Flashback Moments to Come in ‘TLOU’ Season 2

The trailer for episode six also hinted at the tension between Ellie and Joel at the beginning of season 2, implying that fans of the show will finally get an explanation on why she’d been so distant from him prior to his death.

A flashback exploring a character named Eugene’s death and Joel’s mysterious role in the act is also expected to occur this season.

Craig Mazin Teased More to Come for Joel and Ellie in ‘TLOU’

While cocreator Craig Mazin insisted that the “story” and the “world” of The Last of Us were the true stars of the show, Pedro isn’t going anywhere anytime soon this season. Craig told the New York Post that Joel and Ellie still “spend quite a bit of time together in this season … more than people might think” following Joel’s death.

He also added that the relationship between them remains at the heart of the show, regardless of the beloved character’s passing.

“It [is] the kind of thing that is present throughout everything,” he explained. “Even when they’re not together onscreen … the things that happened with them in this season ripple out and echo forth across everything.”