Tony Dalton joins The last of us as Joel’s dad, exposing how violence became love’s language.
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Tony Dalton steps into The Last of Us as Javier Miller, the tough-as-nails cop who fathered our broken hero.
This casting bombshell drops in the latest episode where we finally peek behind Joel’s emotional armor.
The flashback takes us to 1980s Austin, showing how violence became Joel’s go-to language for love.
PERFECT CASTING STRIKES GOLD
Druckmann couldn’t hide his excitement about landing Dalton for the role.
“He’s the most charming, threatening man on television,” he gushed about the Better Call Saul alum.
The chemistry was so electric that Dalton scored another gig in Druckmann’s upcoming game “Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet” alongside Tati Gabrielle.
YOUNG BLOOD, OLD WOUNDS
Andrew Diaz brings young Joel to life with an uncanny “Pedro vibe,” though nobody realized he’d worked with Pascal before.
The pivotal scene unfolds at the family table – Joel bracing for punishment after defending Tommy in a drug deal gone wrong. But instead of fists, dad offers a beer.
BREAKING THE CYCLE
“He used violence to protect his tribe,” Druckmann explains about the surprising father-son moment.
The scene reveals how Javier tried to improve on his own father’s brutal parenting.
This raw confession plants seeds of doubt in Joel that bloom throughout his journey with Ellie – can violence ever truly protect what we love?
HOPE THROUGH REFLECTION
The episode doesn’t just wallow in trauma – it offers redemption. “When we live with intentionality, we can make healthier choices,” writer Gross suggests.
Joel’s past isn’t just about damage, but potential healing.
The revelation forces both Joel and Ellie to confront tough questions: “Who am I? Who do I want to be?”
Don’t miss the season finale hitting HBO and Max next Sunday night.
The emotional fallout promises to reshape everything we thought we knew about survival in this broken world.
The Last of Us season 2 finale hits HBO and Max next Sunday, May 25, at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Don’t miss it!