Editor’s Note: The following are spoilers for Episode 4 of The Last of Us.Episode 4 of Last of us sees the focus returning to Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey). After last week’s emotional love story, the series reminds us that this world is dangerous. We are introduced to a new threat when Joel and Ellie are attacked by a group of raiders led by an original character named Kathleen (Melanie Lynskey).
This week’s episode is called Please Hold My Hand, and it gives us a lot of Easter eggs to discuss, as well as some fun new details that weren’t in the game. Let’s get down to the good stuff and take a look at the best Easter eggs in Last of us Episode 4
No pun intended
At the beginning of the episode, Joel fills up the gas tank so they can continue their journey. Ellie takes out a book of jokes from her backpack to pass the time. Book No pun intended: too loud is a collectible in The Last of Us Part I and its DLC, The Last of Us: Left Behind. This is also visible in the background. The Last of Us Part 2 for keen gamers. The scene plays out differently than in the game, but serves the same purpose. Ellie uses humor to slowly melt Joel’s icy heart. The puns only continue as the episode progresses and Joel finally smiles.
Ellie finds Bill’s journal
While Joel is driving, Ellie starts rummaging through Bill’s stuff in the back seat of the car. She finds an adult magazine and jokingly asks, “Why are the pages stuck together??” This causes Joel to panic as he tries to explain. This scene is literally taken from a video game. Ellie even throws the magazine out the window.
“Alone and Abandoned” by Hank Williams
This scene is recreated from The Last of Us Part I during Chapter 5, Pittsburgh. While Ellie and Joel are driving across the country, Ellie finds a tape with Hank Williams. Just like in the game, the two drive off listening Lonely and Forsaken. The title of the song is the same as the title of the mission that follows, where Ellie and Joel fight the hunters shortly after. While Alone and Forsaken may be a mission title for the game, the show is going in a different direction. The final verse of the song: “Alone and abandoned by fate and man. Lord, if you can hear me, please hold my hand. Oh please understand.The title of the episode is “Please Hold My Hand”, a reference to the last line of the song.
A pile of burnt bodies
Joel and Ellie walk as the camera pans to a pile of corpses that have been burned beyond recognition. Clickers are weak against fire, so these people were killed uninfected, most likely by the rebels who pose a threat to this week’s episode. This is a visual that video games often use to alert the player that they are entering a dangerous settlement and keep them on their guard. The show does the same.
Cameo by Geoffrey Pierce
Actor Geoffrey Pierce plays one of the enforcers and Kathleen’s right hand. IN The Last of Us Part I And II, Pierce voiced the role of Joel’s brother, Tommy.. He is one of many actors to return from the video game. Merle Dandridge has already reprized her role as Marlene and the game’s lead voice actors. Ashley Johnson (Ellie) and Troy Baker (Joel) will also appear.
Ellie needs help
Joel needs to help Ellie crawl through the small window so she can open the door from the other side. This is a game mechanic that players are familiar with because Joel has to get Tess and Ellie to high places so they can throw him a ladder or find an alternate path.
I really miss coffee
When Ellie wakes up, she smells the coffee that Joel is making. This is a rather obscure reference to the original game because the dialogue is optional. During the hotel scene in The Last of Us Part I, players will discover a coffee maker and an espresso machine. If they approach him, they will get a dialog where Joel says “I really miss coffee”. It’s safe to assume that coffee makers stopped production after the pandemic, meaning that Joel has gone over a decade without his morning coffee. No wonder he’s so moody. Luckily, on the show, Bill and Frank had enough to help Joel get through his day.
Source: Collider
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