Yes, that is Johnson singing that song at the end of episode 2.
The most pivotal and tragic episode ofThe Last of Usseason 2 so far ends with a surprise guest.
A womans voice is heard singing a haunting rendition of Shawn James 2012 folk tune Through the Valley."
Ashley Johnson as Anna on ‘The Last of Us’ season 1; Bella Ramsey as Ellie on season 2.Credit:Liane Hentscher/HBO (2)
And its Ashley Johnson again who performs this song as the tag to Sunday’s big episode.
I always loved the song," he says during an interview forEntertainment Weekly’sThe Last of Uscover story.
“I remember that release trailer and what it did to my brain and my heart.
Bella Ramsey’s Ellie, Tati Gabrielle’s Nora on ‘The Last of Us’ season 2.Liane Hentscher/HBO
“It’s wild,“Johnson told EW at the time.
“It’s surreal and bizarre.
Now with Johnson’s voice cameo in episode 2, Mazin explains the significance of the James song.
“Almost every single thing is this desire to be true, but none of it’s true.”
“Your gun’snotgoing to save you,” Mazin says of the story ofThe Last of Us.
“Youwon’tkill all your enemies when they come, and youwillfear what’s around you.”
“The still waters willnotkeep you alive, forevermore.
It’s like this hopeless prayer that we dashed to pieces,” Mazin says.
But there is a shread of hope.
Bella Ramsey as Ellie cradles the remains of Pedro Pascal’s Joel on ‘The Last of Us’ season 2.Liane Hentscher/HBO
“Well,” Mazin adds, “maybe that’s not true either.”
New episodes ofThe Last of Usseason 2 arrive every Sunday at 9 p.m. ET/PT, on HBO and Max.
