Spot These Easter Eggs in The Last of Us S2E6 or You’ll Miss Half the Story
Paging fellow gamers who thought they spotted every infected type: S2E6 of The Last of Us still has secret callbacks hiding in plain sight. In this week’s instalment, Ellie and Joel’s road trip detours into Bill’s hidden safe haven, and eagle-eyed fans are already pausing at every frame. Millennial Vibes-approved, I’m only mildly invested, but these little flourishes are too good to ignore.
First up, that weathered tree ring Ellie slides her knife into isn’t just random wood. According to IGN’s breakdown on October 15, the same ring appeared in Episode 1—an under-the-radar nod to time’s brutal passage. Slide forward to the train depot, and you’ll spot a faded poster for the “Springwood Chronicles,” which People Magazine flagged as a reference to Bill’s pre-apocalypse journalism gig. Sources confirm it’s lifted directly from in-game lore, tying Season 2 back to the original Naughty Dog narrative.
Then there’s the cameo billboards inside the station vestibule. One advertises “MEC-9 Replacement Parts,” a sly wink to the rifle Joel scavenged in the first game. Variety’s set-visit report also notes the neon “Channel 26” news van parked outside the tunnel—a detail straight from the Utah fallout scenes. You might’ve blinked past it, but the logo uses the same font family introduced in S1’s Salt Lake City riots.
Don’t sleep on the train car interiors: look for graffiti reading “Henry ♥ Sam,” a heartbreaking echo of Episode 3’s doomed duo. IGN’s Easter-egg roundup points out that the artist’s tag matches the shape of Ellie’s pendant, suggesting an intentional emotional callback. And hey, if you catch the deer skull mounted on Bill’s wall, you’re essentially nodding to Joel’s cabin trophy room back in Jackson. That taxidermy décor isn’t accidental—developers have repeatedly said every prop is chosen to anchor the show to its gaming roots.
Not all nods are big props, though. Subtle sound design cues—like that faint xylophone riff under Ellie’s flashbacks—mirror the original score by Gustavo Santaolalla. People Magazine’s composer interview hints this tiny melody carries thematic weight about loss and hope. Even the pattern on Frank’s worn jacket matches the plaid textile shown in the comic books that inspired Episode 6’s subplot.
In total, I counted ten major Easter eggs before dinner. Whether you’re a die-hard gamer or just here for the Pedro Pascal charisma, these clues layer more depth on an already rich world. Drop a comment if I missed your fave detail. Anyway, that’s the deal. Do with it what you will.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and IGN, People Magazine, Variety
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
