My Favorite Papa Joel Moments (Pt. 7):
🦠 My feeling about Joel and Ellie’s violence during the Winter episode is this; it was to show how similar they are, a harsh representation of why they are so compatible. It’s easy to forget when we’ve seen Joel sob, beg, smile, laugh and be a genuine cinnamon roll that he is still a highly dangerous man. We get glimpses in prior episodes but it’s not till episode 8 we truly understand what Joel is capable of…Torture, ruthlessness and murder. This behavior is what makes him not answer Ellie’s questions, this is why Tommy left, this is why he had a reputation in Boston. And from the jump Ellie admired him for it. So it makes sense that she becomes just like her surrogate father, carnal and ruthless, and that their reactions to the situation are the same. They are willing to do anything to get back to each other, even if it’s brutal murder.
🦠 You can read so much on Joel’s face when he sees the blood trail through the resort and finds Ellie’s backpack. To me it was the scariest he’s looked so far. He is eerily still, quiet and his eyes are flat—we’re still reeling from the heartless violence he displayed and know he’s terrified to his core, but all we see is him cold.
🦠 When Joel finally finds Ellie, and grabs her from behind its so heartbreaking how scared he sounds. The moment she screams and thrashes in his grip he lets out these fragile, horrified grunts. Like why is she so scared of me? What happened? Is she hurt? Is she dying? He knows nothing except that his usually brazen, tough little girl is in pieces. That first “Look” he utters is so so heartbroken and traumatized. I think that’s what killed him inside initially; her being afraid of him…and let me tell you, as a parent, that is the worst feeling you can experience.
🦠The way Joel speaks to Ellie is so soft you almost can’t hear it and it’s such a contrast to the violence he displayed. But it’s how when he gently cups her face in his hands and looks at her, really looks, deep into her eyes that tore me apart. The moment they look on one another both Joel and Ellie ease their tight postures and go still. The relief is palpable. Joel is relived she’s alive and Ellie is relived she’s not alone. The way Joel says “It’s me” like he knows his presence will be enough to comfort her… he was shockingly sure of himself as a father figure here. I’m telling you, if you read my pt. 6 post, he’s let all his walls crumble and is embracing his father hood full force. This act is the first thing he does as Ellie’s father; he tells her it’s ok (in that ridiculously sweet southern drawl), holds her close and calls her ‘baby girl’. The bond between them is sealed forever. I love when Joel closes his eyes and says ‘I got you’ he’s letting fatherhood settle into himself, like it was meant to be there. This is a man whose life’s purpose came back into his body after being sealed away for 20 years. And that’s the show in one interaction, folks! Well I hope you’re all are ready for the finale Sunday cause I’m sure not!! 😩 (don’t forget to read my finale Pt. 8 analysis here)
