#with game joel it was ‘this kid is poking the bear I have to expression my anger by the very THOUGHT she understands what I’ve gone through

[scootkiddo]

I absolutely love pedro’s line delivery of “you have no idea what loss is.”

it’s a line that’s always stuck with me just because of how joel made a blanket attempt to invalidate ellie as that was how he would shield himself from relatability and shedding sympathy. but it’s also the cadence, the tone of his voice that has me bouncing off the walls. I remember when this was the only footage of joel from the show we had and people were quick to say “ugh he doesn’t say it with the same emotion.” but that’s the point! he’s consciously restraining himself from showing obvious emotion. just mere seconds ago he was visibly vulnerable with ellie. and then there was the sarah name drop. and his whole face shifted. the wall was back up. he rebuilt the barriers like The Contractor™️ he is and reacquired this deadpan demeanor because he couldn’t allow his vulnerability to seep through. the topic of his daughter was too sensitive. it adds such a specific weight to the line, by making it almost “robotic.” because in his mind he had to be. regression was a survival instinct. knowing just how delicate joel in the show is reinforces the notion that countering vulnerability through fabricated numbness is his go to. what a brilliant take from pedro