Let's discuss The Last of Us episode seven

eurogamer.net:

Episode seven of The Last of Us is known as Left Behind, and covers the events of the first game's similarly-named DLC, as well as some additional elements from the American Dreams comic series.

Essentially an extended flashback, this episode provides viewers with crucial background information about Ellie, revealing what motivates her and what shaped her to become the Ellie we know today.

As always, episode seven leaves us with plenty to discuss, so let's get into it.

PLEASE NOTE, THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR BOTH THE SHOW AND THE GAME SERIES IT IS BASED ON. PLEASE READ ON AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION.

Episode seven is bookended by Joel and Ellie in the present day.

Joel, while alive, is not in a good way following his altercation with the marauders at the end of episode six. Ellie has managed to find shelter in an abandoned house, and is desperately trying to stop Joel's bleeding, but isn't having much luck. In response to Ellie's desperation, Joel uses what little strength he has to push Ellie away and tells her to return to Tommy.

As Ellie turns to go, we are then transported back to weeks before Joel and Ellie first met. The scene cuts to Ellie at the FEDRA school in the Boston QZ, where she is running laps in the gym hall while listening to her Walkman. Another student (Bethany) bumps into Ellie and pinches her Walkman before goading her about her missing friend.

Ellie reacts to Bethany's taunts by lashing out at her, resulting in Ellie being sent to the school's principal equivalent — something that happens in the American Dreams comic series — and Bethany to the hospital wing in need of stitches (the theme of stitches runs throughout this episode).

Here, Ellie is told by FEDRA soldier Captain Kwong that she