‘The Last Of Us’: Why Did Ellie Leave Coffee Beans On Joel’s Grave? The Significance, Explained

New York Post - May 1st, 2025
Open on New York Post

In 'The Last of Us' Season 2 Episode 3, titled 'The Path,' Ellie, portrayed by Bella Ramsey, makes a poignant gesture by leaving coffee beans at Joel's grave, played by Pedro Pascal. This act confounds some fans, as they ponder the significance of choosing coffee beans instead of traditional flowers. However, this gesture has roots in the show's lore and the original video game, where Joel's fondness for coffee is a recurring theme. The episode follows Ellie and her friend Dina, played by Isabela Merced, as they embark on a revenge mission to Seattle, pausing to honor Joel's memory in a personal way.

The offering of coffee beans symbolizes Ellie's way of paying tribute to Joel's quirks and their shared memories, particularly recalling an incident from Season 1 where Joel's love for coffee was highlighted. While Ellie herself is not fond of coffee, her gesture emphasizes the deep bond and mutual respect they developed. The choice of coffee beans over flowers underscores an intimate understanding between the characters, resonating with both fans of the show and the original game. This episode continues to explore themes of loss, memory, and connection, setting the stage for further developments in the series.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

7.6
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides an accurate and clear explanation of a specific scene from 'The Last of Us' series, effectively engaging fans of the franchise. Its reliance on the games and the HBO series as source material lends credibility to its claims, although the lack of explicit citations slightly reduces transparency. The piece is timely and relevant to current discussions about the show, but its impact is primarily limited to enhancing fan understanding rather than driving broader societal discourse. While the article is unlikely to provoke significant controversy, it successfully contributes to the cultural conversation surrounding 'The Last of Us.' Overall, it is a well-written piece that effectively addresses its intended audience, despite some minor areas for improvement in balance and transparency.

RATING DETAILS

9
Accuracy

The story accurately captures the significance of Ellie leaving coffee beans at Joel's grave, as verified by the available sources. It correctly explains that Joel's fondness for coffee is a recurring theme both in the video games and the HBO series, and that Ellie's gesture is a tribute to his memory. The article's claims about Joel's nostalgia for coffee and the scarcity of the commodity post-outbreak are well-supported by the narrative in the games and the show. However, the article includes some editorialization, such as the phrase 'wasting good ground,' which does not have a basis in the story's context and could be misleading. Overall, the factual content is precise and supported, with minor areas needing clarification.

7
Balance

The article focuses primarily on explaining the significance of the coffee beans in the context of the show and the games. It presents the perspective of fans familiar with the source material, but it does not extensively explore alternative viewpoints, such as those of viewers who might interpret the gesture differently. While the article provides a clear explanation, it could benefit from a more balanced approach by including diverse interpretations or reactions from different fan communities. The piece remains largely neutral, without showing overt favoritism towards any particular interpretation.

8
Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, providing a straightforward explanation of the significance of the coffee beans. The language is accessible, and the narrative flows logically from the introduction of the scene to the explanation of its meaning. However, some editorialized phrases, such as 'wasting good ground,' could confuse readers unfamiliar with the context. Despite this minor issue, the article effectively communicates its main points and maintains a neutral tone throughout.

8
Source quality

The article does not explicitly cite its sources, but it draws upon well-known elements from 'The Last of Us' games and the HBO series, which are credible and authoritative sources for the content discussed. The reliance on the game's lore and the show's narrative provides a strong foundation for the claims made. However, the lack of direct attribution to specific episodes or game scenes slightly diminishes the transparency of the source quality. Overall, the implicit reliance on the original media as the source material is appropriate and reliable.

6
Transparency

The article lacks explicit transparency regarding its sources and methodology. It does not provide direct citations or disclose the basis for its claims, relying instead on the reader's presumed familiarity with 'The Last of Us' universe. While the explanations given are accurate, the absence of clear attribution or context for the claims made reduces the transparency. The article could improve by explicitly referencing the specific episodes or game scenes that support its narrative, thus enhancing reader trust and understanding.

Sources

  1. https://www.thewrap.com/the-last-of-us-season-2-episode-3-coffee-beans/
  2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0U3Qt2oIllA
  3. https://www.menshealth.com/entertainment/a64611184/the-last-of-us-coffee-beans-ellie-joel-grave/
  4. https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/web-series/why-did-ellie-leave-coffee-beans-on-joel-s-grave-in-the-last-of-us-2-know-the-real-meaning-101745981343115.html