The Last of Us

Eh, it's pretty strongly implied that the Fireflies could never have synthesized a cure from Ellie. There's an audio record that suggests they have no idea what they're doing and are basically just going to cut her open to see if an idea presents itself.

That being said, this is an after-the-fact justification introduced midway through the battle with the Fireflies and, as such, is absolutely not the reason why Joel did it. Joel did it because "Fuck you, got mine." Because Ellie is his surrogate daughter and he would let the world burn to protect her, even when that's not his choice to make. The Fireflies are ambiguously incompetent to the task, but Joel is unambiguously selfish in his reaction to it.

Ultimately, I would say it's a bittersweet ending. From a global perspective, a possible cure for zombification may have been prevented from being found, but on the whole, the world is getting better and things are improving. But on a personal level, the trust between Joel and Ellie is forever shattered. Joel is a cold-blooded murderer, Ellie knows it, and it's only a matter of time before their relationship breaks down completely.

edited 21st Sep '15 8:16:14 AM by TobiasDrake

I agree, actually, but there are those who feel that, given the society they've been raised in, the line between platonic and romantic relationships might have blurred some. Not saying I see it that way, but some people do.

I don't necessarily think Joel and Ellie's relationship is doomed. Now, obviously Ellie will never fully get over what happened, but it's possible that she will learn to accept what has happened and, on some level, move on with her life. Maybe seeing what Joel is willing to do to protect her (and spare her feelings) will actually strengthen there relationship in a weird sort of way. Of course, this likely depends a lot on how whether Ellie directly confronts Joel about it once more, or if they just adopt a "let us never speak of this again" policy.

Remember, the last word she speaks in the game (in fact, that last word spoken in the game period) is "okay," in response to Joel lying to her. To me, that says she's accepting it. She can't change what happened. Maybe she doesn't even consciously realize that Joel is lying, and it's just something she knows deep down inside.

It's open to a lot of interpretation (which is a sign of good writing), but that's the way I see it. Ellie will never be okay with what happened, but it won't destroy their bond.

edited 21st Sep '15 5:06:31 PM by RBluefish

The writers have said that her relationship with Joel took a hit at the end. The Voice Actress says that Ellie knows Joel is lying, but understands to some extent.

Either interpretation is valid until we have some reason to feel otherwise.

Which is why I like it more than a potential "Ellie is killed by the Fireflies and Joel is sad" ending. After all they've been through, and the bonding they've had, the relationship has been broken, at least on Ellie's side - which is why it is more effective than Ellie, or even Joel, dying. But Joel's actions are completely natural for his character.

I wonder what would have happened if Joel just told Ellie the truth. Shit is going to blow up eventually.

I see your point, but that mindset seems a bit too close to, "They're not 100% gay! They're only a little gay*!" And that leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

*Or bisexual or pansexual or whatever they are. You get my point.

edited 22nd Sep '15 4:50:25 AM by spashthebandragon

Yeah, some of the reactions to the kiss were really gross and ridiculous when Left Behind was released.

edited 22nd Sep '15 6:48:05 AM by VeryMelon

If one of them was a boy, I seriously doubt people would be using this stupid "the line is blurred between romantic and platonic" argument.

no, they most likely wouldn't.

Some fans were pretty damn creepy about it too considering they're both underaged girls.

After Left Behind I think the fanfic count for TLOU went up by several hundred in a day or two.

edited 22nd Sep '15 9:32:39 AM by Jenaiqueserasera

You act like pedophile fans are new.

Just because they're not new doesn't mean they're any less creepy and wrong.

Exactly.

The Last of Us is 19.99 on PSN right now. Free if you have PSN+.

Free if you a Playstation NOW subscription. Just had my roommate look it up. lol

Totally. I don't like it either. Sometimes it can even smack a little of the old, unspeakably offensive "they're actually straight, they just don't know it" mentality.

I mean, there's really no reason to suspect their feelings for each other are anything but romantic in nature. The idea that a different type of focus has been placed on platonic relationships is at best WMG, and at worst a thinly-veiled attempt to "straighten out" Ellie and Riley. Because we have so many LGBT characters in AAA games.

On a less political note...yeah, they're totally making a sequel. I mean, given the huge amount of critical acclaim (and money) the first game garnered, can you imagine the executives doing anything but demand a second game in an attempt to squeeze that teat some more?

Bisexuality is a thing, you know.

And trust me. As a woman, just because two girls kiss doesn't mean they're hardcore diehard for-life lesbians.

edited 23rd Sep '15 5:19:34 PM by Jenaiqueserasera

Yes, I did actually acknowledge bisexuality in my post...

Anyways, I kinda hope The Last Of Us 2 follows a new group of protagonists in the same setting. I almost don't want them to ruin the ending of the first game by taking away the suspense.

edited 23rd Sep '15 5:24:52 PM by spashthebandragon

I believe Word of God confirmed Ellie to be lesbian and not bisexual. But, I might be mistaken.

edited 23rd Sep '15 5:36:50 PM by InkDagger

Personally, I'd like the sequel to be set several decades in the future. The protagonists would be a group of survivors desperately seeking a place that's been come to be known as the Sanctuary. Some say it's a myth, some say that it was a special VIP QZ that has since opened it's doors, but while no one has a map everyone has heard the signs you are supposed to follow.

At the end of the journey the survivors see a glow coming from over the mountains and we find both rumors were false. The in the last shot we see that Tommy's settlement has grown from a village to a city.

edited 23rd Sep '15 5:43:36 PM by BigMadDraco

If the sequel contains Ellie and Joel, they'd have to do it very carefully. It was a great stopping point for the story of Ellie and Joel. That said, I do think Ellie could make a good protagonist of a sequel.

Ellie would work for the protagonist of the sequel, since Joe doesn't really have anywhere to go.

Plus, I fear that the fanbase will backlash if Ellie isn't there in someway since she was the most popular character.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qn06oTdq3Yc

Imagine if this was how the sequel started. Ellie singing this song slowly over the opening credits, paused by shots from the first game and/or clips of the world and its state. When the song is finished, it pans out from her hands on the guitar and we see Ellie who is now 18-20 years old.

..Is what I personally imagined would be a neat cinematic prologue.

This is the first time I've heard someone call Joel a terrible person.

Does he make a selfish choice at the end, perhaps. But that seems a little harsh considering the circumstances.

edited 4th Jan '16 12:39:53 PM by Soble

I think people focus too much on that; sure, it may not have been the morally correct thing to do, but he sees Ellie as his daughter. I mean, what would you expect from him?

What makes Joel a terrible person is that he is a torturer and a murderer. He copes by calling himself a survivor, but others like Tess don't buy it anymore (who wants to die doing good), and Tommy can't live like that anymore. Joel, though? He never really changes in that regard. The best you can say is that he goes to live at Tommy's.

edited 19th Jan '16 5:06:00 PM by SilentColossus