The following contains mentions of attempting to take one's own life. This article also includes spoilers for The Last of Us episode 9.
The Last of Us episode 9 reveals the truth behind Joel's scar, marking the biggest and best change from the original The Last of Us game. Early in the series, namely The Last of Us episode 3, Ellie first asked Joel about his scar when the duo were making their way to Bill and Frank's town. Ellie asked Joel where it came from and Joel revealed that someone shot at him and missed.
In The Last of Us episode 9, the true revelation about how Joel received his scar is shown. When traveling through Salt Lake City to reach the Fireflies, Joel and Ellie pass through an abandoned U.S. Army camp, and Joel recalls how he was placed in one similar shortly after Sarah's death. Joel admits he was there to get his scar patched up, before revealing exactly where it came from in one of The Last of Us episode 9's most tragic scenes.
Joel’s Scar Was Self-Inflicted After Sarah’s Last Of Us Death
Shortly after explaining why he was in the camp, Joel stops before saying, "It was me. I was the guy who shot and missed." Joel explains to Ellie that in the days after Sarah was killed, he could no longer see the point in living. He then attempted to take his own life, before flinching as he pulled the trigger and grazing the side of his head. The reveal is interesting, given that Joel's scar was not included in the original game. HBO's The Last of Us has made various changes to the game story in season 1, yet this scene marks the biggest and best for Joel's characterization.
Joel’s Scar Furthers HBO’s Bigger Humanization Of The Character
Joel's scar is one of the best changes from the original Last of Us game because it enhances the greater humanization of his character that HBO has allowed for. While Joel is one of the most beloved video game characters of all time, HBO's version goes even further to humanize him. From the added element of Joel suffering from panic attacks in The Last of Us episode 6 to the depth of his trauma over Sarah's death shown in The Last of Us episode 9, Pedro Pascal's Joel is arguably even more investable than the original game's version. The true story of Joel's scar epitomizes his humanization.
Joel Telling Ellie About His Scar Completes His Last Of Us Character Arc
On top of humanizing Joel even further than the show did before The Last of Us episode 9, the scene explaining Joel's scar completes his character arc. The entire point of Joel's journey throughout The Last of Us has been about learning to accept Ellie as his own daughter. This began with the death of Sarah in The Last of Us episode 1, which perfectly set up Joel's arc. From establishing why he is so cold, distant, and broken after episode 1's time jump to making his character instantly sympathetic, Joel's arc began in the series premiere.
After that point, Joel became extremely closed off, especially regarding Sarah. Whenever Sarah was mentioned, as evident in The Last of Us episode 6, Joel instantly raised his emotional barrier and lashed out as a way of avoiding his trauma. With The Last of Us episode 9, Joel's character arc is completed. From openly talking about Sarah and her death to Ellie, as well as admitting he attempted to take his own life after Sarah's loss, Joel finally allows himself to open up thanks to Ellie and the new bond he has formed.
Joel & Ellie’s Relationship Is Solidified In Last Of Us Episode 9
This scene also solidifies the relationship between Joel and Ellie in The Last of Us season 1. As the scene surrounding Joel's scar was absent from the game, Joel and Ellie's bond and familial love for each other were largely left unspoken. While the two obviously cared about each other, the ending of the original Last of Us game did not have any overt moments to showcase this outside of Joel's hospital rampage. By including this scene in The Last of Us episode 9, however, Joel and Ellie are able to tell each other how they feel in a subtle way.
Through Joel stating that it was not time that healed his wound but Ellie, Joel solidifies his fatherly love for her in HBO's The Last of Us finale. Similarly, Ellie replies stating that she is glad Joel's attempt to take his own life did not work out, subtly telling him how much he means to her in return. All of this makes the scene one of The Last of Us' very best in terms of the development of its characters, story, and most importantly, the vital themes of love and family.