After the heartbreaking episode last week, The Last of Us returned with a solid third episode that showed how Joel’s close ones were dealing with the loss of the old man. Ellie watching Joel die in the most gruesome way possible has set her on a path of vengeance. But before she commences her revenge journey, Ellie pays a visit to Joel’s grave, similar to the video game. However, the creators have made a small yet meaningful change to this scene in the TV series.
Now, you must be wondering — why did Ellie leave coffee beans at Joel’s grave in episode 3 of The Last of Us season 2? Find out the meaning behind her farewell gift here.
Why Did Ellie Leave Coffee Beans on Joel’s Grave In The Last of Us Season 2?
If you have closely observed the conversations between Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) in the original game and the debut season of the TV show, the pair has discussed coffee briefly. Like when Joel asked Ellie if she didn’t like coffee when the latter couldn’t stand the smell of coffee boiling.
In another instance, Joel confirmed he is a coffeeholic when he admitted he really misses coffee so much upon seeing an abandoned coffee maker in the game.
Ahh, I really miss coffee – Joel
Hence, when Ellie visits the grave of her surrogate father, she leaves a handful of coffee beans on top of his grave as a parting gift. During this moment in the TV series, we can see her smiling softly as she remembers all those hilarious and wholesome conversations about coffee with Joel. In contrast, Ellie only mourns Joel’s death when visiting his grave in the game, but the showrunners have altered it here to give closure to both Ellie and the audience.
Ellie’s Final Conversation with Joel in TLOU Season 2
All the close ones in Joel’s life knew that he was all about coffee. Ellie and Dina consider coffee to taste and smell like burnt sh*t and always wondered about Joel’s acquired taste. In the final conversation between Joel and Ellie in the game, the old man was seen drinking coffee. When Ellie questioned Joel about where he got those coffee beans, he replied that he traded with the travelers who came by the Jackson community.
A little embarassed as to what I had to trade to get it [coffee beans], but it’s not bad – Joel
To this day, TLOU fans wonder what Joel traded to get his beloved coffee beans. You can see jokes about it everywhere, such as trading his entire arsenal. When Ellie and Dina come across a coffee shop in their journey, Ellie reveals that “He’d trade half his stuff for a bag of beans.”
Joel has always enjoyed coffee, and it is also mentioned that he frequented coffee shops before the cordyceps infection outbreak. So, you can now understand Joel’s love for coffee and the reason why his surrogate daughter left coffee beans on top of his grave in The Last of Us Season 2, Episode 3. I am glad that the creators decided to alter this painful scene and bring peace to Ellie and the viewers.
That said, what are your thoughts about the change in the scene where Ellie visits Joel’s grave? Let us know in the comments section below.
Aparna Ukil
