The Road West Gets Colder
Three months have passed since Kansas City. Joel and Ellie trek through the wintry wilds of Wyoming, snow crunching underfoot, guns always close. There’s no sign of the Fireflies yet. Just silence, wind, and tension thick enough to choke on.
They stumble across a cabin in the woods. Inside? Marlon and Florence—an elderly couple, surprisingly calm about two strangers barging in. Joel demands information. Florence? Unfazed. They warn him: the “River of Death” lies west. No one crosses it and returns.
Naturally, that’s the direction Joel and Ellie go next.
Joel’s Armor Starts to Crack
As the trip continues, Joel starts showing signs of wear. He grips his chest. Loses focus. Freezes mid-thought.
Ellie notices. But Joel brushes it off.
The guy who’s been steel since episode one? He’s rusting. And we’re watching it happen in real time.
Welcome to Jackson
Suddenly, riders surround them. Armed. Silent. Intense. They’ve got a dog trained to sniff out infection. Ellie stands frozen as it sniffs her down. Joel looks ready to break.
But nothing happens.
That’s how they end up in Jackson, Wyoming. A functioning community with power, schools, livestock—even movies. It feels like a relic of the old world. And guess who’s there? Tommy.
Joel’s long-lost brother.
Not Exactly a Warm Reunion
At first, it’s hugs and smiles. Joel’s relieved. Tommy’s surprised. But under the surface? Friction.
Tommy’s living a good life. He’s married to Maria. He’s expecting a kid. And he’s got no plans to leave.
Joel isn’t thrilled. He needs help finding the Fireflies, but Tommy hesitates. That hesitation cuts deep.
Maria Has Questions
While Joel stews, Maria gives Ellie the rundown. She’s sharp, no-nonsense, and protective of Tommy.
She tells Ellie about Sarah. Joel’s daughter. The one he never talks about. Ellie’s stunned. Suddenly, Joel’s silence makes more sense.
Later, Maria cuts Ellie’s hair. It’s the first time someone mothers her. It’s sweet and awkward—and a little sad.
Joel’s Heartbreak Spills Out
That night, Joel talks to Tommy. Really talks.
He admits he’s failing. He’s scared. He froze when Ellie needed him. He’s having nightmares. He’s not the man he used to be.
So he asks Tommy to take Ellie. She’s immune. She needs to reach the Fireflies.
Joel doesn’t trust himself to finish the job.
Ellie Doesn’t Take It Lightly
Ellie finds out. She confronts Joel. The fight is messy and raw.
She brings up Sarah. Joel snaps. “You’re not my daughter,” he says.
Ellie fires back, “And I sure as hell ain’t your daughter.”
It stings. But it’s honest.
New Day, New Decision
By morning, Joel’s changed his mind.
He gives Ellie the choice. She doesn’t hesitate. They ride out of Jackson together.
Whatever happens next, they’re doing it side by side.
College Dreams and Brutal Reality
Their next stop? The University of Eastern Colorado.
It’s mostly empty. Overgrown. A monkey darts past. Then they find Firefly signs—but no Fireflies.
Instead, they find raiders.
Joel kills one, but not before getting stabbed. Badly.
They flee. Joel slumps off the horse. Collapses. Ellie panics.
And just like that, the episode ends.
What Still Echoes
“Kin” shifts the show’s pace—but not its punch. Here’s what keeps humming after the credits:
- Joel’s breakdown is beautiful. It’s vulnerability wrapped in layers of guilt, love, and fear.
- Jackson feels like a dream. But even paradise comes with pressure.
- Ellie’s growing up fast. She’s learning hard lessons, one mile at a time.
- The bond? It’s real now. No more pretending. They need each other.
With Joel down and Ellie alone, the road ahead just got a whole lot darker.
