When The Last Of Us Episode 7 Happened In The Show's Timeline

Episode 7 of The Last of Us tells a story full of flashbacks that take place at specific points in the extended timeline of the HBO adaptation.

Warning! This episode contains spoilers for The Last of Us episode 7 and the original game.

Episode 7 of The Last of Us tells the story of Ellie and Riley, which takes place at some point in the episode's timeline. Still, the beginning of the episode is taken directly from the cliffhanger of The Last of Us episode 6, ending with Ellie trying to keep Joel safe. Shortly thereafter, though, the episode's focus shifted to Ellie's backstory, which has been hinted at so far in The Last of Us.

That backstory featured the character Riley, who was Ellie's best friend at FEDRA school until she ran away to join the Fireflies. Much of The Last of Us Episode 7 focuses on Riley and her relationship with Ellie, exploring plot points hinted at in Episode 2 of The Last of Us, with Ellie breaking into a Boston QZ home shopping center. Since this episode is clearly set before The Last of Us Season 1, the question remains as to when exactly it will take place, and how this seemingly separate story will affect the show going into the final few episodes of The Last of Us Season 1 s story.

The Last Of Us Episode 7 Takes Place 3 Weeks Before Episode 1

Specifically, The Last of Us Episode 7 flashback centered on Riley and Ellie takes place around 3:00 Weeks before the series premiere. At the end of The Last of Us Episode 1, Ellie explains to Tess and Joel that she was bitten three weeks after The Last of Us tested positive for a cordyceps infection. Given how The Last of Us episode 7 shows exactly when Ellie was bitten, it's safe to assume it happened three weeks before, plus or minus a few days before she was sent along with Joel and Tess.

In The Last of Us Episode 1, Team Firefly locks Ellie up for several days to test if she will turn around. It's implied that Marlene and Firefly found Ellie and Riley at the mall. Since Riley is stationed there to instruct Firefly's gear, it's assumed they go to find Riley or acquire their weapons, only to find out that Riley is immune and Riley tragically dies or becomes infected.

Last Of Us Episode 7’s Timeline Sets Up Episode 8

Since The Last of Us Episode 7 is doubly set before Episode 1 and shortly after Episode 6, it actually sets The Last of Us Episode 8 to a large extent. Including the story between Riley and Ellie in this episode added depth For Ellie's character, the defining events really start to affect her by showing the guilt that leads to her fear of ending up alone and her survivor's immunity to her. Showing this, along with the losses of Tess, Henry, and Sam in The Last of Us, allows the audience to really understand Ellie's fear and guilt.

This makes the part of The Last of Us Episode 7 where Ellie desperately tries to save Joel's life even more powerful. Through Ellie losing Riley, the audience feels Ellie's plight as she tries to keep Joel from leaving her, something everyone else in her life has done. This sets the stage for Episode 8 of The Last of Us, which will feature the biggest turning point in Joel and Ellie's relationship. As episode 8 introduces David, Joel, and Ellie's relationship will develop into what the show hints at, all thanks to flashbacks from episode 7 of The Last of Us.

"The Last of Us" airs new episodes every Sunday on HBO.