The conclusion of The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 5 promises a moment of exhilaration for the show’s fans — but the lasting impact of this event remains uncertain. Is this beloved character’s comeback permanent, or is it merely a fleeting tease from The Last of Us?

**Spoilers for The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 5, now streaming on MAX**

In this final scene of the episode, Ellie, portrayed by Bella Ramsey, confronts Nora, played by Tati Gabrielle, over her role in Joel’s — Pedro Pascal’s character — demise earlier in the season. Nora had been part of a vengeful group of ex-Fireflies who pursued Joel to Jackson, seeking revenge for his actions at the climax of the first season. Ellie takes drastic measures in a desperate interrogation, violently killing Nora in an effort to extract more information about Abby, the group’s leader played by Kaitlyn Dever.

Immediately following Ellie’s brutal act, the screen fades to black. Suddenly, viewers find themselves back in Jackson, where a seemingly healthy, unharmed Joel is basking in the sunlight. He greets Ellie as she awakens from a serene dream in her bed. And with that, the episode concludes.

So what gives? Is Pedro Pascal back on The Last of Us? Is this a dream sequence? A flashback? Is Joel coming back to the HBO show? Here’s what you need to know about the end of The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 5…

Pedro Pascal Returns to The Last of Us: Is Joel Really Dead?

He’s baaaaaaack! Yes, Pedro Pascal, America’s favorite daddy and the face of Corona beer, is back on The Last of Us this week. Sure, we saw him brutally beaten to death by Kaitlyn Dever a few weeks back, but nothing can keep this man down! Right?

Well, as most Last of Us fans can guess, Joel’s return is not as clear cut as it seems.

Joel is definitely dead. So why is Pedro Pascal back?

Without delving into spoilers, keep in mind that The Last of Us is a show that has always played fast and loose with timelines. Multiple episodes in Season 1 gave us flashbacks to explain how the world devolved to the hellscape that Joel and Ellie found themselves in. Sometimes these flashbacks were about world-building. Other times, they served a dramatic purpose within the context of an episode.

The scene at the end of The Last of Us is a flashback, dream, or memory of a better time for Joel and Ellie. Given that The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 6 teaser also features more scenes with Joel and Ellie that we haven’t seen yet, it’s not a wild leap to theorize that Pedro Pascal might be coming back to the show just for the purposes of flashbacks.

Or maybe this is just a thematic choice to show us how far Ellie has strayed in her pursuit of “justice” for Joel. She’s no longer the “kiddo” basking in the warmth of his love and protection. Like him, she is a killer.