Overview

• Ellie briefly sings Pearl Jam’s 'Future Days' in Season 2 Episode 5, emphasizing the song's deep connection to Joel and Ellie’s story.
• The song’s inclusion in the HBO series continues despite its anachronistic placement, as the outbreak timeline was shifted to 2003.
• Showrunners Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin defended the decision, citing the song’s thematic importance over strict historical accuracy.
• Pearl Jam released a four-track EP featuring 'Future Days' and other songs from the show, solidifying its cultural resonance across platforms.
• Upcoming episodes are expected to explore Joel’s backstory through flashbacks, potentially including his original performance of the song for Ellie.