Ellie's Joke Book In The Last Of Us Episode 4 Has A Deeper Meaning

Each week, the co-creators of HBO's "The Last of Us" sit down to discuss the process behind the latest captivating episode. This week, they explore the fortified emotional walls Joel puts up to protect himself and the way Ellie chisels away them with humor and innocence. We see this exceptionally through her joke book, which also underlines a fundamental part of her character.

Mazin prefaces by sharing how moved he was by the game's use of the book and how it allows Ellie a small moment to still be a kid in this deadly world. He also points out how authentic it feels for Ellie and applauds the writing (at the 4:20 mark), "What else I love about it and why it was essential to include in the show is that it undercuts this thing that happens when adults write kids. They either write them too young or too old." Mazin adds how this perfect balance when writing Ellie retains her childlike wonder, which is exemplified through her love of puns, "I love how Ellie has this joy for something so juvenile... It's honest joy."

It was extremely important for the creators to include the prop as they put their heads together, "One of the things Neil and I, as we talked about including it, thought 'what can we do with this joke book?" They landed on a devastating juxtaposition, which pits Ellie's determined grit against her heart and young age.