The Last of Us showrunners discuss Joel's panic attacks
Please note, there are spoilers for The Last of Us episode six and the game series it is based on in the article below.
The most recent episode of The Last of Us gave us a closer look at the mental impact Joel's situation is having on him. On two occasions, Joel can be seen clutching his chest as the camera pulls in close and the noise around him distorts. He is having panic attacks.
In the first instance of this happening, Joel assures Ellie that it was just the cold air taking him by surprise. The second time, however, Joel is on his own, and is only 'calmed' by the sight of a young woman who for a moment Joel imagines to be his daughter, Sarah.
Images of Joel in this moment have been widely shared online in a meme format, but there's a lot to this moment than that.
According to series co-creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, these moments are a way to show viewers Joel is «coming to terms with how terrified he is that [Ellie] is going to die and it's going to be his fault».
As Mazin explained in the show's accompanying podcast, Joel is having these panic attacks and he doesn't understand why, but ultimately it is because he is scared he is going to let Ellie down.
«If you've been paying attention along the way, what you will see is for as many times Joel has helped her, he's also failed her. And those are the things he dwells on,» the creator stated.
«Like a lot of us, if you have core shame or core trauma the way Joel does, the things you do well are discounted but… you will magnify your failures and tragedies until they threaten to subsume you.»
Joel acknowledges these feelings later in the episode when talking to his younger brother, Tommy. He recalls how Ellie had to save him from a rebel in Kansas City, how
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