What is Wrong With Ellie in The Last of Us?
Ellie, in The Last of Us, is infected with a mutated strain of the Cordyceps brain infection (CBI) but is uniquely immune to its typically devastating effects. This immunity isn’t a “cure” in the traditional sense; rather, her body’s interaction with the fungus prevents it from taking over and turning her into one of the Infected. Essentially, the Cordyceps within her body convinces other Cordyceps that she is already one of them, thus avoiding further parasitic invasion and the usual zombification process.
The Science (and Speculation) Behind Ellie’s Condition
The exact mechanism of Ellie’s immunity remains somewhat ambiguous within the narrative, but the prevailing theory, heavily implied in both the game and the HBO adaptation, centers around the circumstances of her birth. Ellie’s mother, Anna, was bitten by an Infected while giving birth to Ellie. Crucially, Anna severed the umbilical cord shortly after being bitten, and before the cordyceps could fully overwhelm her system. The trace amount of Cordyceps transferred to Ellie during this brief period seems to have triggered an altered immune response.
This exposure, while not enough to cause full infection, likely introduced the fungus to Ellie’s developing immune system in a way that shaped its response from the very beginning. This early exposure essentially “taught” her body to recognize the fungus as “self” rather than “other.” The fungus essentially “tricks” the rest of the Cordyceps by presenting as a native element. Therefore, it will not be attacked. This is what enables Ellie’s apparent immunity to the parasite.
Unlike fully infected individuals who become mindless hosts, Ellie retains her cognitive functions and emotional capabilities. The CBI within her doesn’t control her actions or physiology. This is not the case in infected people. In infected people, the cordyceps hijacks their entire system for propagation. This difference is crucial to the story’s exploration of hope and the potential for a cure (though one is never explicitly found or developed).
Implications of Ellie’s Immunity
Ellie’s immunity is the central driving force behind the plot of The Last of Us. The Fireflies, a militant group seeking to restore pre-apocalyptic society, believe that a cure can be derived from Ellie’s brain, specifically by studying the interaction between her body and the Cordyceps. This, however, involves removing the infected portion of her brain, ultimately killing her. Joel, having formed a paternal bond with Ellie, refuses to allow this and rescues her, effectively sacrificing the potential cure for her life.
The ethical ramifications of Joel’s decision are a major point of contention and a central theme in The Last of Us Part II. Was it right to sacrifice the potential salvation of humanity for the life of one individual? This question underscores the game’s exploration of morality in a desperate world. The game also highlights the potential societal collapse and questionable practices to which we are willing to stoop in the face of a global crisis.
Further Considerations
It’s important to note that Ellie’s immunity isn’t absolute protection. While she doesn’t succumb to the CBI’s control, she can still suffer physical harm from the Infected. She can be bitten and injured, but the infection simply doesn’t progress. She also carries the risk of passing on the cordyceps in some form, even though the exact nature and potential consequences remain ambiguous in the narrative. Although Ellie cannot infect people she bites, she does carry the cordyceps within her, meaning that eating her might affect whoever consumes her.
Furthermore, the Last of Us universe does not present any guarantee for cure, even if the Fireflies had not been stopped by Joel. There are risks involved in creating a cure from Ellie. This leaves a lot of ambiguity concerning whether a cure is possible.
Ellie’s condition in The Last of Us is a complex and multi-layered one. She is neither simply “healthy” nor “infected” in the conventional sense. She exists in a unique state of equilibrium with the Cordyceps, which makes her both a beacon of hope and a symbol of the difficult choices that define the world of The Last of Us. As you delve deeper into these themes, consider the implications of game-based learning, as explored by organizations like the Games Learning Society. See the research at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why is Ellie immune to Cordyceps?
Ellie’s immunity is most likely a result of a trace amount of Cordyceps entering her system during birth, when her mother, Anna, was bitten. This exposure allowed her body to recognize the fungus as “self,” preventing full infection.
2. Can Ellie infect others with Cordyceps?
The game strongly implies that Ellie cannot infect others through bites. Although she still carries Cordyceps within her, the fungus doesn’t behave the same way it would in someone actively turning into one of the Infected.
3. Is Ellie the only immune person in The Last of Us?
As far as we know from both the games and the show, Ellie is the only known individual with this specific immunity to the Cordyceps brain infection.
4. Did Ellie’s mother, Anna, make her immune?
Yes, Anna’s bite during childbirth and the subsequent transfer of a small amount of Cordyceps to Ellie via the umbilical cord is the accepted explanation for Ellie’s immunity.
5. Could Ellie have been the cure for the Cordyceps outbreak?
The Fireflies believed that a cure could be derived from Ellie’s brain, but this would have required her death. Whether a cure was truly possible remains unconfirmed, as Joel prevented the procedure.
6. How did Ellie get the disease initially?
Ellie was exposed to the Cordyceps fungus through the umbilical cord when her mother, Anna, was bitten during childbirth.
7. Can Ellie cure the Cordyceps virus in others?
No, Ellie’s immunity doesn’t translate to a cure for others. While her brain might have held the key to a potential vaccine or treatment, she herself cannot directly cure infected individuals.
8. What disease does Joel have in The Last of Us?
Joel doesn’t have the Cordyceps infection. He struggles with anxiety and likely high blood pressure, as evidenced by his need for medication.
9. Why is there no cure in The Last of Us?
The game’s narrative focuses on character relationships and moral dilemmas rather than a straightforward cure. Joel’s decision to save Ellie ultimately prevents the potential development of a cure.
10. Does Ellie find out that Joel lied to her?
Yes, in The Last of Us Part II, Ellie comes to realize that Joel lied about the events at the Firefly hospital. This realization has a profound impact on their relationship and Ellie’s emotional state.
11. Was Joel wrong for saving Ellie?
This is a central moral question of the story. Joel chose to save Ellie’s life, preventing the potential cure, because he had grown to love her as a daughter. Whether his decision was right or wrong is left to the player to consider.
12. How did Ellie survive the bite from the Infected?
Ellie’s body is able to prevent the Cordyceps from fully taking over, effectively stopping the infection from progressing beyond the initial bite wound.
13. Why did the Infected “kiss” Tess in the HBO show?
The “kiss” was a new element introduced in the HBO adaptation, seemingly illustrating a more evolved and connected form of the Cordyceps, allowing it to spread its tendrils and accelerate the infection.
14. How did Joel know that Ellie was immune?
Joel only learned that Ellie was immune when Marlene and the Fireflies informed him in the hospital in Salt Lake City. They had performed tests and determined that she was indeed immune.
15. How did Joel survive the apocalypse?
Joel’s survival skills, combined with his pragmatic and often ruthless nature, allowed him to navigate the dangerous post-apocalyptic world. He also benefited from having Tommy as a brother and eventually developing a close bond with Ellie, who helped him heal and find purpose.