Warning! This article contains spoilers for The Last of Us episode 9 and The Last of Us Part II.The Last of Us episode 9 rounds off season 1 of HBO's adaptation with an ending full of spectacular twists and turns. With the core plot of The Last of Us since episode 1 surrounding Ellie's immunity and Joel's mission to deliver her to the Fireflies, The Last of Us finale comes full circle. After dealing with various threats in their journey across the post-apocalyptic United States, Ellie and Joel finally reach Salt Lake City and the home base of the Fireflies.
At the beginning of The Last of Us episode 9, Joel and Ellie venture into the heart of Salt Lake City to find the freedom-fighting militia. While Ellie is clearly still shaken from her traumatic events with David in The Last of Us episode 8's ending, Joel shows how much more open he is with Ellie now that the two have moved past their need to hide the bond that has formed between them. That being said, the finale takes its first turn when the Fireflies capture Joel and Ellie, before The Last of Us episode 9 ending culminates with plenty more twists.
Could Ellie Really Have Been Used For A Cordyceps Cure?
One of the biggest questions coming out of The Last of Us episode 9's ending is whether a cure for Cordyceps could truly have been made. After Joel wakes up in the hospital, Marlene relays the Fireflies' head surgeon's hopes to him. Marlene states that the surgeon believes Ellie's immunity comes from the Cordyceps that has been in her system since birth, as Ellie's mother Anna was bitten during labor. This strain of Cordyceps acts as a barrier of sorts, a "chemical messenger" that makes any new Cordyceps entering her system - such as the bites in The Last of Us episodes 2 and 7 - think she is already infected.
Marlene then states that the surgeon plans to remove the Cordyceps that have been in Ellie's system, multiply the cells that act as chemical messengers, and create a vaccine to give these cells to the wider population. The reality is, however, that both episode 9 and the original The Last of Us game remain ambiguous on whether a cure is actually possible. In terms of why it could be possible, Ellie is seemingly the first person in history that is immune to the infection, meaning her immunity provides the extra boost needed to the hopes of creating a cure.
Conversely, it is clear from Marlene's words that the Fireflies are clutching at straws. Marlene states that the surgeon "thinks" he can make a cure, meaning even he is not certain it will work. Regardless, it is clear from the bleak state of the world that someone immune like Ellie providing even the slightest bit of hope means any surgeon would at least attempt to formulate a cure. Although, it remains the case that The Last of Us episode 9's ending is intentionally unclear on the state of the Cordyceps cure, linking to the uncertainty viewers are supposed to feel about Joel's controversial decision to save Ellie.
Why Joel Kills So Many People & How It Sets Up Season 2
Another question stemming from The Last of Us episode 9's ending is why Joel kills all the Fireflies, with the answer being relatively simple given his entire character arc thus far: Joel loves Ellie like he did his own daughter Sarah. After the loss of Sarah, Joel's grief over that, and the 20-year time jump in which he turned into a cold, broken man, Ellie was the person who brought him back. Joel's experiences with Ellie resulted in her becoming his surrogate daughter, meaning he would do anything to keep her alive and overcome his "failures" to save Sarah and Tess.
This is why Joel murders all the Fireflies in The Last of Us episode 9’s ending. As they intend to kill Ellie to synthesize a cure, he vows to save her, killing them all so that they would not come after her. The decision is controversial, thereby laying the groundwork for season 2. The Last of Us season 2 will see Joel killed five years after this point by Abby, the daughter of the surgeon in The Last of Us episode 9. This in turn causes Ellie to seek revenge in a harrowing story of love, loss, and how the cycle of revenge can cloud one's mind with pure darkness.
Why Joel Lies To Ellie (Twice) In The Last Of Us Episode 9
At the end of the The Last of Us finale, Joel lies to Ellie on two different occasions. Firstly, he tells her that there are many other immune people like her and that the Fireflies have stopped looking for a cure for The Last of Us' Cordyceps as a result. Then, in the very final scene of The Last of Us season 1, Ellie calls his bluff and asks him to swear to her that everything he said was true, which Joel does with minimal hesitation. Joel lies to Ellie as he is fully aware of the selfish nature of his decision.
Ellie's survivor's guilt - which Joel is aware of - means that she would have undoubtedly chosen to do whatever it takes to make a cure for Cordyceps. Joel knows this, yet he made the decision for her and saved her life, removing any possibility of a cure because of his own trauma and incredibly understandable hesitancy to lose yet another daughter. Joel also knows that if he told Ellie the truth, she might never forgive him, something that will be a major plot point of The Last of Us season 2.
How The Last Of Us Episode 1 Foreshadowed Marlene's Death
Shortly before Joel drives Ellie away from the hospital, he murders Marlene who corners him in the parking garage. This - alongside his massacre of all the other Fireflies - was actually foreshadowed by Marlene herself in The Last of Us episode 1. When asking Joel and Tess to take Ellie, Marlene says "What I do have is you. And I know what you're capable of. For better or worse." This sets up Joel's ruthless nature, as he proves Marlene right in The Last of Us episode 9 through his Firefly rampage in the hospital.
What Happens Next To Joel & Ellie - Game SPOILERS
Warning: This section contains SPOILERS for the Last of Us game.With The Last of Us season 2 already confirmed - undoubtedly based on The Last of Us Part II - the answer to what happens next to Joel and Ellie can be gleaned from the original game's sequel. As hinted at by the end of The Last of Us episode 9, Joel and Ellie return to Jackson to live as part of Tommy's community. The Last of Us season 2, if indeed it follows the events of the second game closely, will open almost immediately after this, with Joel telling Tommy the truth of what happened in the hospital.
Joel will then continuously get closer to Ellie, who only begins growing distant from him as her growing mistrust of his lies is shown. The Last of Us Part II - therefore likely season 2 of HBO's TV video game adaptation - then jumps five years into the future. Joel and Ellie are settled in Jackson, though their relationship has deteriorated because of Joel's decision at the end of the first game. Joel will then face cruel retribution for that decision, as the surviving Fireflies track him down and kill him, kickstarting Ellie's revenge quest that will be the focus of The Last of Us season 2.
What We Know About The Last Of Us Season 2
As far as what is known about The Last of Us season 2, the information is somewhat sparse. While season 2 has been confirmed by HBO, a release date is yet to be announced. However, comments from co-creators Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin make it clear that The Last of Us season 2 - likely following Abby - will follow the events of the second game. Similarly, Mazin revealed in an interview that The Last of Us Part II will likely be bigger than one season of TV, meaning the second game's story could go into The Last of Us season 3, though that is unconfirmed at the time of writing.
In terms of when The Last of Us season 2 could start filming, Joel actor Pedro Pascal divulged some information in an interview with Collider. Pascal stated that there is a chance season 2 could begin production by the end of 2023, with Mazin and Druckmann currently working hard on pre-production for The Last of Us' second outing. With The Last of Us episode 9 bringing season 1 to a close, it is likely more information will come regarding HBO's Last of Us season 2 throughout 2023.
The Real Meaning Of The Last Of Us Season 1's Finale Ending
In an interview with Eurogamer shortly before the release of The Last of Us Part II, creator of both original games Neil Druckmann outlined exactly what the real meaning of The Last of Us was, and therefore the ending of The Last of Us season 1. Druckmann stated that The Last of Us' story is all centered on how far people are willing to go for someone they love unconditionally. In this case, the The Last of Us finale is about how far Joel is willing to go to protect Ellie, and the harsh, morally gray areas that love can take him.
