Summary:
- Tony Dalton appears as Javier Miller, Joel’s father, in The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 7, “The Price.”
- Joel’s flashback reveals a troubled past, offering critical insight into his protective instincts and violent tendencies.
- Javier’s words and actions frame the series’ central theme: the struggle to break cycles of violence across generations.
The Last of Us Season 2 continues to explore Joel’s complex morality through a flashback that introduces viewers to his father, Javier Miller. In Episode 7, titled “The Price,” a surprise cameo by Tony Dalton adds emotional depth, reinforcing the show’s exploration of generational trauma and violence. This pivotal scene not only shapes Joel’s origin but also mirrors the choices he makes with Ellie.
How Does Tony Dalton’s Cameo in The Last of Us Add to Joel’s Character Arc?
In “The Price,” viewers are taken back to 1983 Texas where a teenage Joel (played by Andrew Diaz) defends his younger brother Tommy from their father’s wrath. Javier Miller, portrayed by Tony Dalton, is revealed to be a police officer with a stern, sometimes violent, parenting style. When Tommy is caught buying drugs, Joel claims responsibility, protecting his brother despite knowing the consequences.
This act of protection, even at personal cost, foreshadows Joel’s future actions—especially his decision to rescue Ellie from the Fireflies in Season 1’s finale, “Look for the Light.” In both instances, Joel prioritizes loved ones over moral clarity, often choosing violence or deception to shield them. Dalton’s performance underscores this emotional foundation, offering a rare glimpse into the environment that shaped Joel’s survival instincts.
Javier shares a chilling story with Joel about how his own father once broke his jaw. While his delivery is calm, his words reveal a cycle of abuse. He ends by saying, “If you ever have one of your own, I hope you do a little better than me.” That line is repeated by Joel years later to Ellie, linking father and son not just through genetics, but through the heavy burden of inherited trauma.
READ MORE: What F1 25 Includes from the Brad Pitt F1 Movie
What Does Javier’s Flashback Reveal About Joel’s Choices With Ellie?
As Joel’s relationship with Ellie deepens, the show uses the flashback to contrast Joel’s past upbringing with his attempts at being a better parental figure. On Ellie’s 19th birthday, Joel takes her on a patrol that turns deadly. They encounter Eugene, a Jackson resident who has been bitten. Joel promises to bring Eugene back to his wife but ultimately executes him and lies about it—a haunting echo of his pattern of deception seen with the Fireflies.
Later, Ellie confronts Joel about the Fireflies, and without speaking, he confirms her worst suspicions. Her trust in him begins to break, and the emotional chasm that follows stems directly from the man Joel became—a man shaped by his father’s harsh lessons.
Despite that, Joel also shows how he attempts to change. On each of Ellie’s birthdays, he makes efforts to bring joy—baking a cake, crafting a guitar, and even exploring an abandoned museum. When he finds Ellie smoking weed and getting a tattoo, he reacts not with anger or violence, but calm acceptance. He builds her a personal space in the garage, a small but meaningful act of trust and care.
These contrasts show Joel navigating between the scars of his past and his desire to be a better father figure. The decisions he makes—both protective and harmful—can now be understood through the lens of Javier’s influence.
READ MORE: Grosse Pointe Garden Society ending explained Quiche death meaning
How Does the Javier Miller Cameo Reinforce the Theme of Breaking Cycles?
The narrative core of The Last of Us Season 2 centers on breaking—or failing to break—cycles of vengeance and violence. Javier’s brief but powerful monologue draws a direct line between generations, emphasizing how deeply embedded these patterns can be.
Joel’s choice to repeat his father’s final words to Ellie reinforces the weight of those inherited behaviors. Yet Joel’s softened parenting style, contrasted with Javier’s severity, shows the beginning of a shift. Even in a world ruled by survival and brutality, Joel is shown to be attempting something different—to live with intentionality, as co-creator Neil Druckmann puts it.
This theme extends beyond Joel and Ellie. Characters like Abby and Ellie are caught in their own spirals of revenge. Abby hunts Joel for killing her father, and Ellie pursues Abby in return. The show uses Javier’s cameo to echo a broader question: Can these characters find a way out of their emotional inheritance, or are they doomed to repeat it?
READ MORE: Will Trent Season 3 Last Episode Ending Explained
When Does The Last of Us Season 2 Finale Air?
The Last of Us Season 2 finale premieres Sunday on HBO and HBO Max. With tensions running high and emotional stakes at their peak, the final episode is expected to further explore the consequences of Joel’s choices and the legacy he leaves behind.
Tony Dalton’s performance as Javier Miller, though brief, delivers a lasting emotional resonance that enriches the themes of parenthood, trauma, and redemption that define The Last of Us.
Stay updated with the Latest News and Stories, follow us on our social media platforms.
You can follow us on:
Stay Connected!! Join our Whatsapp Channel
