The Last Of Us Episode 6 Director Confirms Major Part II Connection

Sigh, it looks like HBO's The Last of Us will be over before it's begun. We always knew a nine-episode season was going to feel short for die-hard fans of Naughty Dog's 2013 game, and with just three left, the end is nigh.

Although it was no big surprise, The Last of Us was recently renewed for Season 2, which we know will adapt at least some of 2020's sequel. Sowing the seeds early, those behind the latest episode have confirmed it'll definitely be worth a rewatch before we head into Season 2.

The Last Of Us Episode 6 Has Some Major Ties To Part II

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The Last of Us Episode 6 is titled "Kin" and finally brings Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Tommy (Gabriel Luna) back together after they parted ways back in Boston. We also meet Maria (Rutina Wesley), who had a minor part in the first game but is more prominent here. 

Mixing things up from the source material, Showrunner Craig Mazin and Game Director Neil Druckmann nixed the game's dam segment and took us straight to Jackson. For those who've played The Last of Us Part II, you'll know it's a significant place of importance.

After Ellie and Joel's fight with the Fireflies is over, The Last of Us Part II picks up with them living reasonably happy lives in Jackson. Although that doesn't last long, Episode 6 shows us what life could be like for the tragic travellers if things turn out differently.

Speaking to Variety, Episode 6 Director Jasmila Žbanić explains why things have been streamlined and how it felt "very natural" for the Bosnianc-born director. "What we talked a lot about was that I survived the war in Sarajevo in the ’90s," said Žbanić.

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"I think for Craig and Neil, it was interesting that I was kind of living in a place which was like Jackson in a way, because we were surrounded by the Serbian army, we were constantly bombarded. We had to be on alert, we had to survive, we had to learn how to live without anything, without civilization.

"There was no electricity, no food, nothing. But we managed to survive because of solidarity, and the way the city was restructured. You have to start from zero. That experience for me was something that I felt very close about Jackson."

"It's a community that functions, and I find it really beautiful and hopeful because I really believe even in the worst catastrophes, like war, I survived. People are able to keep the society. They are not always the enemy to each other. So I was really happy to direct this episode that really said something that I deeply believe in."

Does The Last Of Us Introduce Ellie's Season 2 Love Interest?

There were some other big swings away from the source material, with "Kin" confirming that Maria and Tommy are having a child. Žbanić said she wanted to "give this feeling of hope that this society has." However, it's not the only setup for Season 2. 

During one moment, an angry Ellie (Bella Ramsey) shouts at a Jackson resident who is hiding behind a pillar. It didn't take long for fans to speculate this could be Dina - Ellie's love interest in Part II. 

The topic soon started trending on Twitter, and with Druckmann himself responding, it looks like we've found our Dina for Season 2. Back in March 2020, Druckmann celebrated International Women's Day with a tweet that blanked out a four-letter name. So, was he teasing Dina all the way back then?

Discussing Ellie finding love, Ramsey hyped Dina's arrival and told those who don't like the show's LGBTQ+ themes to "get used to it." As we head into the final furlong of The Last of Us Season 1, it remains to be seen if we're heading back to Jackson or if we'll let the townspeople live in peace for a little longer.