Did The Last of Us Fireflies Cure Really Have a Chance to Work?

In “The Last of Us,” if the Fireflies had developed a cure and it was administered to Ellie, there’s speculation that she might not have survived. However, the question remains: would the cure have actually worked? Fans have been split on this issue, but Neil Druckmann, creator of the game, has shared his thoughts.

In the final episode of the first season, the plotline closely resembled the game, as Marlene revealed a shocking revelation to Joel upon his arrival in Salt Lake City: performing the procedure to create a cure using Ellie’s unique immunity would prove deadly for her.

Essentially, he killed everyone, then took Ellie and fled towards Jackson. He promised her that the cure would not have helped them and they needed to run away since they were ambushed by marauders.

Consider this scenario: If they proceeded with the treatment, yet it proved ineffective despite doubts about its scientific basis, Druckmann remains resolute about the feasibility of a cure.

Would Ellie’s cure have worked in The Last of Us?

Yes, if the Fireflies created a cure from Ellie for the Cordyceps pandemic, it would have worked.

Neil Druckmann debunks the debate on whether or a cure was viable
byu/HardrefilTheCallous inThelastofusHBOseries

Reflecting on the initial scene of The Last of Us TV series, you’ll recall Dr Neuman discussing the possibility of a fungal epidemic. He informs the gathering that there are no available treatments, preventatives, or cures for this – they simply do not exist; it’s beyond the realm of possibility to create them.

More than half a century past, a physician belonging to the Fireflies faction thought he could create a remedy, but tragically, he was slain before his work bore fruit. To Druckmann, had the treatment been implemented, it likely would have succeeded.

He mentioned on the Sacred Symbols podcast that it’s possible for the Fireflies to develop a remedy; in other words, his belief is that they indeed have the capability.

Currently, some are doubting the robustness of our scientific findings. Indeed, the science has had its uncertainties, and now these doubts are being expressed. However, I can’t comment on that. What I can say is that we aimed to discover a cure, which adds an intriguing philosophical dimension to Joel’s work.

Druckmann’s assertion holds true. In this scenario, Joel found himself faced with an unyielding dilemma: either let Ellie perish to save the world, or preserve her life at the expense of global safety. If there was even a glimmer of doubt about the efficacy of the cure, Joel’s decision to exterminate everyone and escort Ellie home would lose its emotional resonance.

Essentially, Ellie’s anger arises because of what he had done. “I was meant to die, and my existence was supposed to hold significance. But you took away the chance for it to truly matter,” she expresses to Joel in Episode 6.

Moreover, Druckmann might argue that the science wasn’t thoroughly delved into, but they managed to convey it succinctly in the series. Marlene told Joel that Ellie possesses a “chemical signaling agent… it tricks ordinary Cordyceps into thinking she’s one of them, which explains her immunity.

He plans to take some tissue from her, grow the cells in a laboratory, create those signaling molecules, and if successful, distribute them as a potential cure, Joel.” She also commented on this.

Prior to Episode 7, make sure to catch the sneak peek of the Season 2 grand finale (released ahead of schedule, so be mindful of potential spoilers). Neil Druckmann has also shared his thoughts on whether Joel’s decision to protect Ellie was justified.

2025-05-22 13:32

Would Ellie’s cure have worked in The Last of Us?

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