Warning: SPOILERS ahead for The Last of Us season 2, episode 5!The Last of Us season 2 has been laying the groundwork for Ellie (Bella Ramsey) finally coming face-to-face with Abby (Kaitlyn Dever) on her quest to get revenge after she killed Joel (Pedro Pascal). However, the end of season 2, episode 5 delivered a surprise flashback scene of Joel waking Ellie up, with season 2, episode 6 poised to reunite the pair in a flashback episode.

Speaking with Entertainment Weekly, Druckmann and Mazin teased what to expect from Ellie and Joel's reunion in flashbacks during The Last of Us season 2, episode 6. Druckmann explained how the episode will help contextualize the tension between the two in the season 2 premiere. Mazin did the same, while also celebrating Pascal's return for another episode of the series. Check out what the showrunners had to say below:

Neil Druckmann: Episode 1, we see this tension between Joel and Ellie. You never see them happy like this. And yet here they are.

Craig Mazin: So what happened? What is the story that went down in those five years between 'swear to me' and Joel's death? I guess we'll have to wait a week and find out. But hey, Pedro Pascal's back everybody, woo!

What Druckmann & Mazin's Statements Say About Joel's Return

The Last Of Us Season 2, Episode 6 Promises An Emotional Story

It's not clear yet why so much tension came between Joel and Ellie during the five-year time jump between seasons 1 and 2. However, Ellie's confrontation with Nora (Tati Gabrielle) in season 2, episode 5 hinted at it possibly having to do with Joel killing all the Fireflies at the end of The Last of Us season 1. Another event that hasn't been touched on yet is the death of Gail's (Catherine O'Hara) husband, Eugene, whose death was hinted at being a tragic, gruesome moment the deceased protagonist was heavily involved with.

This reunion through flashbacks promises more camaraderie between Joel and Ellie than the start of season 2, something that is likely to change based on Druckmann and Mazin's statements. Whether this has to do with the hospital, Eugene, or other characters in The Last of Us remains unclear. However, it seems like the flashbacks will provide plenty of important context about why their relationship became so tense before the events of the latest season. It may also signify deeper justification for Ellie's quest for revenge against Abby.

Our Take On Joel & Ellie's Reunion In The Last Of Us Season 2, Episode 6

The New Episode Promises Some Key Revelations

With season 2, episode 6 providing new scenes with Joel and Ellie, The Last of Us is promising to answer core questions about the tension between them, alongside what happened during the five-year gap between seasons. While the show has already hinted at what will happen, seeing it play out will provide a different experience with added context surrounding the core duo. Pascal's return could also be the last moments he's onscreen in the series, making this episode important to ing his character.

New episodes of The Last of Us season 2 air Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and Max.

Source: EW