Why Ellie Is So Mad At Joel In The Last Of Us Season 2

The Last of Us season 2 is finally here, and it begins with a notable tension between Joel and Ellie, our two main characters. Based on the beloved story-driven video game series, HBO's adaptation picks up the narrative after a five-year time jump, with the events of The Last of Us season 1's ending still weighing heavily on the minds of the protagonists. The new season begins with a quick flashback to season 1's final scene, but there's more context than that to break down.

Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey play HBO's versions of Joel and Ellie. Since we last saw them, Joel has become Ellie's adoptive father, and their relationship has grown more complicated over the years. The adaptation even sees Joel going to therapy to navigate the situation, a narrative element that isn't in the video games. The first episode has already moved some events from the game around, seemingly to mitigate the use of flashbacks later on, so extra context might be necessary.

Ellie Is Mad At Joel For Saving Her & Lying About It

The Last Of Us Season 1's Ending Has Lingered In Ellie's Mind

The events of The Last of Us season 1, episode 9, saw Joel and Ellie finally reaching their destination in Salt Lake City. The Firefly establishment intended to use Ellie's immunity as a method to develop a cure, preventing further spread of the infected and leading to a fresh start for humankind. Once Joel discovered that this would require Ellie's death, he massacred the hospital, stole a car, and drove her away. By the time she woke up, they were already gone, and Joel told her it just hadn't worked out.

Ellie took Joel's word for it at first, but over time, she's realized the truth about what happened.

Ellie took Joel's word for it at first, but over time, she's realized the truth about what happened. She's furious at Joel, not only for lying to her but also for not giving her the choice. It's a heavy burden to live with, knowing that her sacrifice could have potentially saved humanity and that Joel stole that possibility from her without considering her perspective. Of course, it wasn't right for the Fireflies to kill her without giving her a choice, either, but Joel's bloodshed in her name is brutal to process.

How & When Does Ellie Find Out The Truth?

Ellie Returned To Salt Lake City & Pushed Joel To Tell Her

In The Last of Us Part II, Ellie is shown discovering the truth in a flashback sequence where she returns to Salt Lake City. There, she finds a recording that explains the only person who could have developed a vaccine was dead, prompting Ellie to demand the truth from Joel. He reluctantly tells her, and their relationship is never the same afterward. It's unclear if HBO's The Last of Us will reveal this in a flashback or have them discuss it in the present day.