Joel and Ellie ventured into the heart of Salt Lake City to find the freedom-fighting militia, and while Ellie was clearly still shaken by the traumatic events with David in The Last of Us episode 8's ending, Joel showed how much more open he was with Ellie now that the two had moved past their need to hide the bond that has formed between them. Of course, nothing about The Last of Us season 1 could end completely clean, and the finale left some dangling threads for season 2 and beyond, given that a third season has been confirmed.
Could Ellie Really Have Been Used For A Cordyceps Cure?
It Isn't Exactly Clear Whether It Would Work Or Not
One of the biggest questions coming out of The Last of Us' 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, as 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 think she is already infected.
The reality is, however, season 1 and the original The Last of Us game remain ambiguous on whether a cure is actually possible.
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, season 1 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 in the hopes of creating a cure.
Conversely, it is clear from Marlene's words that the Fireflies are grasping 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. However, it remains the case that The Last of Us is intentionally unclear about the state of the Cordyceps cure, which makes Joel's decision to save Ellie controversial.
Why Joel Kills So Many People & How It Sets Up Season 2
He Would Do Anything To Protect Ellie
Another question stemming from The Last of Us season 1 ending is why Joel kills the Fireflies, with the answer being relatively simple given his entire character arc throughout: 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.
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.
As the Fireflies intended to kill Ellie to synthesize a cure, he vowed 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 who Joel killed in the season 1 finale. 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 Ending
It Was Just Easier For Him To Lie
At the end of The Last of Us' finale, Joel lies to Ellie on two different occasions. First, 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 took to create a cure for Cordyceps. Joel knew 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 knew that if he told Ellie the truth, she might never forgive him.
How The Last Of Us Episode 1 Foreshadowed Marlene's Death
It Establishes The Lengths Joel Could Go To
What Happens Next To Joel & Ellie
Joel Will Eventually Be Killed And Ellie Starts A Path Of Vengeance
With The Last of Us season 2 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 season 1, Joel and Ellie return to Jackson to live as part of Tommy's community. The Last of Us season 2, if it indeed 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 and Ellie are settled in Jackson, though their relationship has deteriorated because of Joel's decision at the end of the first game and season.
What We Know About The Last Of Us Season 2
It Will Cover At Least Part Of The Last Of Us Part II
The Last of Us season 2 is quickly approaching, premiering on HBO on April 13, 2025. Now that The Last of Us season 3 has been confirmed prior to the release of the second season, it is likely that season 2 will only cover part of The Last of Us Part II, setting the stage for season 3 to possibly be the last. All the major characters from the sequel game have already been confirmed to appear with a heavy focus on Ellie's story, not only with Joel, but also with Dina, and Abby's collision course with them.
The Real Meaning Of The Last Of Us Season 1's Finale Ending
How Far Someone Is Willing To Go For Who They Love
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 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.
The Last Of Us Season 1 Ending Vs. The Game
The Game Ends The Same As The Season
One major difference in the last episode of The Last of Us season 1 is the inclusion of a flashback to Ellie's mom Anna, played by Ashley Johnson, who voiced Ellie in the games. Another difference is that Marlene directly tells Joel how Ellie is immune instead of in the game, where it is revealed through tape recordings. Of course, these aren't the biggest details to change up, but it goes a long way in showing that The Last of Us season 1 wanted to be as faithful as possible while translating the series to television in the strongest way.
How The Last Of Us Season 1 Ending Was Received
An Emotionally Powerful, And Slightly Controversial Ending
Much like the game, The Last of Us season 1 ending was mostly received quite well, with some, of course, taking issue with Joel essentially dooming humanity to forever be in an apocalypse. Given that his decision is a significant driving force in his relationship with Ellie going forward, it was a necessary moment that will continue to pay off in The Last of Us season 2.
No matter what one might think about the ending, it is incredibly important to reveal who Joel is, and the depth of his love for Ellie that grew over the course of The Last of Us.
