| “ | It's the thought that counts and you were never gonna do it yourself.
―Sarah to Joel about fixing his broken watch.
|
” |
Sarah Miller is a character in HBO's The Last of Us. She is the 14-year-old daughter of Joel.[2][1]
Biography[]
Background[]
Sarah Miller was born on July 20th, 1989, to Joel in Austin, Texas.[3] Raised by her father for most her life, she also grew up with her uncle, Tommy Miller. She played for her local soccer team, earning numerous medals and trophies for her efforts in the team. She was also a fan of the band The Clash from an early age.[4]
Events of HBO's The Last of Us[]
On September 26, 2003, Sarah woke up on her father's 36th birthday and tried to make him a pancake breakfast, mostly for herself, but he forgot to pick up pancake mix. Making eggs and bacon instead, Tommy joined them and revealed they had a construction job offer that day. Sarah insisted Joel buy a birthday cake for them to eat before returning home.
As Sarah prepared to leave for school, she took her father's broken watch and $20 from his drawer. During school, several students around her displayed some strange symptoms, including twitching and coughing. After school, she took the city bus and paid to have her father's watch fixed for his birthday at Lone Star Watch & Jewelry. While there, several police cars and a fire engine rushed past and the shop's owner rushed her out, insisting she go home and stay there. Returning home, she visited the Adlers, her neighbors. She reported how strange occurrences such as sick people, news reports of violence and increased police force were present in the city, but her neighbor claimed it did not sound any different to other days. While completing her schoolwork, Sarah took a break to search the Adler's DVD shelf for a DVD to bring to Joel. After choosing one, she was sent home. On her way out, she noticed the Adler's dog, Mercy, staring at Mrs. Adler, whose mouth was open agape. Unknown to them, she was infected with the Cordyceps brain infection from eating contaminated food.
That night, Sarah waited up for Joel. When he returned, she gifted him with his fixed watch despite him not bringing home a birthday cake. She then watched his favorite movie before falling asleep. Joel got a call from Tommy in jail after he was arrested for defending a woman in a bar that a "crazy man" attacked. Joel carried Sarah to bed and went to go get Tommy at around 11 PM. By 2 AM, the sound of explosions and helicopters over the house woke Sarah up. Seeing Joel was still gone, Sarah headed outside to find Mercy scratching against their door. Sarah attempted to take Mercy home, but the dog resisted, breaking free of his collar and fleeing the street. Seeing the Adler's door ajar, Sarah went inside to see if they were okay. However, upon reaching the kitchen, a crazed Mrs. Adler attacked her, having succumbed to the Cordyceps infection. Sarah fled the house, just as Joel and Tommy arrived in Tommy's pickup truck. Joel came to Sarah's aid, killing Mrs. Adler with a wrench. Denise, another neighbor, came out to see the commotion. Joel warned her to get inside and told Sarah to get in the truck. With Tommy driving, the other Adlers charged the truck, but the Miller family fled the estate.
Joel and Tommy informed Sarah that an outbreak was happening across America and Joel planned to take her to safety in Mexico. However, Sarah surmised the infection was actually all over the world. They drove past Jimmy's farmhouse on fire and a stranded family on the side of the road. Despite Sarah's pleas, her father insists Tommy drive past the family. Sarah also feared they are all infected, but the Miller brothers calmed her, claiming it was only in the city, coming from hospitals.
Coming up to a gridlocked highway, they drove into the field to cut across the highway. Blockaded by the military, they drove into town where citizens were running from the infected. A passenger plane stalled and fell out of the sky, causing it to crash in the streets and hit the truck, tipping it over. With infected swarming the streets and Sarah's ankle broken, Joel carried her to safety. Separated from Tommy by a burning roadblock, they agreed to meet up around the block in the field.
On the way, an infected chased Joel and Sarah were chased through a bar until a U.S. soldier shot it down. Upon Joel telling the soldier that his daughter's leg was hurt, the soldier reported to his superior. Believing them to be infected, he was given orders to shoot them. Realizing this, Joel tried to run away but was shot, Sarah flying from his arms. Before the soldier could kill them, Tommy arrived and shot the soldier in the head. Joel had been grazed on the side, but Sarah was shot in the abdomen. Joel attempted to save her, but she died in his arms.[4]
Legacy[]
Sometime prior to 2023, Tommy constructed a memorial to Sarah, containing her full name, date of birth and date of death in the living room of his house in Jackson.[3]
Appearance[]
Sarah was a fourteen-year-old high school student with brown eyes and brown hair.[4]
Personality[]
Sarah was a caring daughter, doing her best to show she loved Joel. On his 36th birthday, she made him breakfast, secretly had his watch fixed and borrowed a copy of his favorite film from the Adler's to treat him. She was hardworking, completing her homework from school and dedicating time to soccer, becoming a top player for her local team. She was also empathetic, trying to help the Adler's during the outbreak and disagreeing with her father's decision to not help a family stuck on the road.[4]
Relationships[]
Joel Miller[]
Sarah had a loving relationship with her father Joel. She worked hard to make his birthday special despite her father's apathy towards it and spoiled him with several gifts. The pair regularly went out together with Joel's brother Tommy as a family, with Sarah taking selfies of the pair smiling, which she stuck on a board in her room.
Additionally, Sarah trusted her father and looked to him for guidance and protection. When they became separated, she remained calm and confident, because she knew that he would come for her. She also sought comfort and reassurance from him when she was scared and injured. Joel, in turn, prioritized his daughter's safety and did everything in his power to protect her, including carrying her when she couldn't walk and fighting off infected people to keep her safe.
Overall, the relationship between Sarah and Joel is depicted as a close and loving one, characterized by mutual trust, concern, and protection.[4]
Tommy Miller[]
Sarah had a positive relationship with her uncle, Tommy. She was able to joke with him about his smoking in the car despite Joel's disapproval. He joined her and her father for breakfast on her father's birthday, indicating that he was a regular presence in her life and that they had a comfortable and casual relationship.
Sarah trusted Tommy and looked to him for protection and guidance. He also attempted to save Sarah (and successfully saved Joel) from a soldier who was trying to kill her, showing that he was willing to put himself in danger to protect her.[4]
Behind the scenes[]
Nico Parker, the actress who portrays Sarah
- Sarah is portrayed by English actress Nico Parker.[5][1] Parker watched videos of the original game years before getting the role.[6] She wanted to "stay away from the game version" and provide her own interpretation of the character.[7] Pedro Pascal, who plays Joel, felt an instant bond with Parker, with whom he filmed scenes first.[8]
Quotes[]
- Sarah: "Where' the pancake mix?"
- Joel: "Oh was I? Yeah, I was. Sorry"
- Sarah: "I was gonna make you birthday pankcakes. God, I swear."
- Tommy: "Hey! Still alive you old fucker."
- Sarah: "Aww, he loves you."
- Joel: "He's dependent on me. It's not the same."
- Sarah: "I think it's the same."
- Tommy: "It's definitely the same."
- Sarah: "Swear or you don't get your present."
- Joel: "On my life."
- Sarah: "I fixed it for you."
- Joel: "Did you? I don't hear anything."
- Sarah: "What? Oh, that was lame."
- Joel: "Yeah, I know. Where'd you get the money for this?"
- Sarah: "Drugs, I sell hard core drugs."
- Joel: "It's better when I do."
- Sarah: "It was only twenty dollars, which I stole from you. I could have stolen sixty but I put the change back because I'm an honest thief."
- Joel: "Hmm"
- Sarah: "Besides, it's the thought that counts and you were never gonna do it yourself."
- Joel: "Thank you."
Gallery[]
Promotional images[]
![Promotional poster featuring Nico Parker as Sarah[5]](https://destructoidmod.netlify.app/host-https-thelastofus.fandom.com/wiki/File:NicoParkerIsSarah.png "NicoParkerIsSarah.png (7.02 MB)")
Official stills[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Kroll, Justin (June 30, 2021). "'The Last Of Us': Nico Parker Joins Pedro Pascal In HBO Series Adaptation of Popular Video Game, Deadline. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
- ↑ Sarah on HBO's official website.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 HBO's The Last of Us episode 6: "Kin"
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 HBO's The Last of Us, episode 1: "When You're Lost in the Darkness"
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Poster released by The Last of Us (@TheLastofUsHBO) on Twitter. Tweet. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
- ↑ Johnston, Dais (January 6, 2023). "HBO's 'The Last of Us' cast "took as much liberty" with the material "as they wanted to"". Inverse. Retrieved January 15, 2023.
- ↑ Moreau, Jordan; Vary, Adam B. (January 12, 2023). "Welcome to 'The Last of Us': How the HBO Cast Brought The Video Game Characters to Life". Variety. Retrieved January 15, 2023.
- ↑ Turchiano, Danielle (January 6, 2023). "How and Why HBO's 'The Last of Us' Adaptation Expands Character Arcs". Metacritic. Retrieved January 15, 2023.
