There’s something gut wrenching about the penultimate episode of season 2 of The Last of Us. That’s a given when you revisit memories that take you back to the wonderful things you once had. But this week’s episode doesn’t wish to milk this obvious sentimentality. With what is arguably the most emotionally heavy episode of the show, The Last of Us only wants to explore an unavoidable passage of grief.

Spoiler Alert

Happy 15th birthday Eli

I was worried something like this would happen when the last episode ended with a glimpse of happier times. We’re back in the golden days now. Days that are now excruciating memories. But if you asked Ellie and Joel if they would’ve done it all over again, knowing what immeasurable pain awaited, they would’ve said yes in a breath. Because even drenched in pain, these memories are invaluable.