The Last of Us: Ellie and Joel’s Final Conversation

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⚠️ Attention: Contains spoilers for The Last of Us season 2, episode 6 and The Last of Us Part II game!

The emotional final scene between Joel and Ellie on their porch in The Last of Us season 2, episode 6 is a reenactment from the video game. Joel’s death in The Last of Us season 2, episode 2 had a lasting impact on the series by writing off the main character. Although it’s not unprecedented for an HBO show to kill off its lead character, Pedro Pascal’s star power was one of the factors that attracted non-gamers to the show, making his reappearance in episode 6’s flashbacks even more significant.

In the second season of “The Last of Us”, a five-year leap forward was made, and considering the complex ending of the first season, it was inevitable for Joel and Ellie to experience a multitude of challenging emotions towards each other. The sixth episode showcases the full range of their relationships’ ups and downs, featuring heartwarming moments that strengthened their bond as well as scenes that created significant rifts between them, culminating in their poignant conversation on the front porch.

Ellie Confronted Joel About Salt Lake City The Night Before His Death In The Last Of Us

This Was Joel And Ellie’s Final Conversation Before He Died

In the finale of The Last of Us season 1, it felt like Salt Lake City’s events didn’t quite sit well with Ellie. As we progressed through season 2, episode 6, it became evident that Joel’s prolonged deception had been driving a wedge between us. With each passing day and her growing maturity, Ellie started to grapple more deeply with the situation, making even our most joyful moments tinged with tension. Take for instance, our birthday celebration – a moment filled with joy – yet it was tainted when she spotted real fireflies in the woods, triggering her lingering doubts.

On New Year’s Day, Ellie confronted Joel on the porch, insisting he reveal the truth about the past events. Overwhelmed by his deceit, Joel disclosed what had transpired. He confessed that a cure could have been found, but it would have cost Ellie her life, and he also admitted to murdering numerous people. Although Ellie was aware of Joel’s actions when she conversed with Nora in the finale of The Last of Us season 2, this is our first glimpse into how she copes with this revelation.

Why Ellie Was So Mad At Joel For Saving Her From The Fireflies

Ellie Believes Joel Took Away Her Chance To Mean Something

As a devoted cinema-goer, I’d rephrase it like this:

In Salt Lake City that fateful day, Joel saved Ellie’s life, but at an unimaginable cost. By preventing a potential cure, he inadvertently doomed everyone else to a future without hope. The tragedy didn’t end there; he took the life of Abby’s father, the world’s last known prospect for a vaccine. This decision was tainted with selfishness, and Joel had to carry that burden for five long years. Now, every soul we’ve lost since, including Eugene, can be indirectly traced back to Joel’s actions. With this revelation, Ellie is left shouldering the weight of this choice alongside him.

A key topic in the ethical discussion about Joel’s actions at the end of season 1 revolves around Ellie not having a choice. Since she was unconscious, she had no understanding of the stakes. In a way, it mirrors the Fireflies’ decision to operate on her without her knowledge or consent for the greater good. Instead, by taking her life, Joel denied her the opportunity to make a significant impact on a larger scale. It seems plausible that, given the chance, Ellie would have willingly sacrificed herself to save others.

Why Joel Said He “Would Do It All Over Again” If It Meant Saving Ellie’s Life

Joel Loves Ellie Like A Daughter And Wouldn’t Sacrifice Her

Joel understood the significance of the situation for Ellie and its global implications, but he opted to prioritize saving Ellie’s life. He recognized that she wouldn’t have consented to it, and he was aware that his action might deprive everyone else of something valuable. However, the profound grief he felt over losing Sarah made him unable to let go of Ellie. This decision, as well as deceiving Ellie for her own good, were selfish acts. Yet, Joel is self-aware enough to admit that he would make this selfish choice again.

Although Ellie and he had only been together for a few months at the start, “The Last of Us” beautifully illustrates how strong bonds can develop between non-family members. He cherished Ellie as if she were his own daughter, and even in those early days, an innate feeling told him that she was worth more to him than everything else in the world combined. As time went on and he cared for her more, this instinct proved true. Regardless of how much time had passed since then, he would still make the same choice.

Was Ellie Going To Forgive Joel For What He Did To The Fireflies?

Joel And Ellie’s Relationship Would Always Have Been Complicated

The tragic ending to Ellie and Joel’s bond left their future uncertain, making it hard to foresee what might have transpired. Regardless of what lay ahead, they were both destined to carry the burden of their shared past. Ellie would frequently feel remorse for those who perished at the hands of infected, and this guilt would often transform into anger towards Joel. Her journey towards forgiveness was likely to be a long and arduous one, and even if she did find it, those feelings were unlikely to ever fully disappear, which made Joel’s demise all the more poignant.

In the second season of “The Last of Us,” thought-provoking dilemmas arise concerning death and the intricacies of grief, as Ellie grapples with complex emotions towards Joel. While she harbored anger, guilt, sorrow, and more, an underlying truth emerged in her heart – that it was Joel’s decision that enabled her to live, walk, breathe, and experience joy. Simultaneously, Ellie recognized a profound significance in Joel as a companion; someone with whom she could converse freely, share her true self without reservation. The negatives were overshadowed by an abundance of positives.

Earlier I mentioned that we can’t tell if she would have forgiven Joel. The key aspect of this narrative is that she was deprived of the chance to make her own decision about it. She required time to comprehend and organize her feelings, a process that might have taken years. However, she was only afforded a single day before another distressing event occurred, forcing her to adapt once more on the spot.

How The Last Of Us Season 2’s Porch Scene Compares To The Game Flashback

There’s A Major Difference From The Video Game Version

In the game The Last of Us Part II, Joel and Ellie share a comparable sequence, but some details have been rearranged. By this stage in the storyline, Ellie has previously challenged Joel over the events in Salt Lake City, which is shown through a flashback. During this flashback, she decides to independently investigate the hospital’s happenings. The conversation about the coffee, Seth, Ellie’s patrols, and Dina closely mirrors the game dialogue. Ellie’s assertion that she was supposed to die in the hospital is also consistent with the game, but she has had more time to contemplate this revelation.

The way Joel expresses his desire to make the same decision in Salt Lake City if given another chance, as well as Ellie’s uncertainty about forgiving him but her wish to try, mirrors dialogues from “The Last of Us Part II.” Notably, instead of their last words occurring amidst the chaotic New Year’s Eve party, it is revealed that their final exchange was hopeful. In both instances of “The Last of Us,” Joel and Ellie conclude their journey with an opportunity for healing.

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2025-05-19 05:48