The Unanswered Question: Did They Find a Cure in The Last of Us?
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
No. Plain and simple: a cure for the Cordyceps brain infection (CBI) is never successfully developed within the narrative confines of The Last of Us, either in the original game, its sequel The Last of Us Part II, or the acclaimed HBO adaptation. The overarching narrative is defined, in part, by the absence of a viable cure, and the moral complexities that arise from the potential for one. Ellie’s unique immunity is a central plot device, but it never translates into a widely available treatment for the infected.
The search for a cure, the hope it represents, and the ultimately tragic fallout from its potential sacrifice are at the very heart of The Last of Us.
Understanding the Cordyceps Pandemic and the Lack of a Cure
The world of The Last of Us is ravaged by a mutated strain of the Cordyceps fungus, a real-world genus known for its parasitic manipulation of insects. In the game, this fungus has evolved to infect humans, turning them into terrifying creatures and collapsing civilization. After 20 years there is no cure to protect the remaining survivors from the deadly cordyceps fungus. Key aspects contribute to the ongoing failure to find a cure:
- The Nature of the Fungus: The Cordyceps infection is deeply entrenched, forming extensive underground networks and proving resistant to conventional medical interventions.
- Ellie’s Immunity: While Ellie is immune to the infection, her immunity is not well understood, and the process to extract a cure from her requires her sacrifice. The surgeon indicated that removing parts of her brain would be required.
- Limited Resources and Infrastructure: The collapse of society means that scientific research and pharmaceutical production are severely hampered.
- Ethical Considerations: The Fireflies’ plan to extract a cure from Ellie necessitates her death, leading to Joel’s intervention and the ultimate destruction of any potential cure. This illustrates the difficult choice that comes from saving the world while sacrificing a human life.
Why the Cure Remains Elusive
Several factors contribute to the continuing lack of success in finding a cure in The Last of Us:
- Fungal Infections vs. Bacterial Infections: One character states that there is no cure for fungal infections. There are many differences between fungal and bacterial infections.
- The Complex Biology of the Cordyceps: The lifecycle and infection mechanisms of the mutated Cordyceps fungus remain largely mysterious, hindering targeted research and vaccine development.
- Logistical Challenges: Obtaining the resources and infrastructure to properly study and weaponize Ellie’s immunity is an insurmountable challenge in the post-apocalyptic setting.
- The Moral Gray Area: The ethical dilemma surrounding Ellie’s sacrifice creates a fundamental obstacle, as the potential cost of a cure becomes too high for some (most notably Joel) to bear.
FAQs: Exploring the Cure in The Last of Us
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the issue of a cure in The Last of Us:
1. Is Ellie really the only immune person?
The game and the show present conflicting accounts. While Joel claims at the end of The Last of Us episode 9 that other immune people have been cropping up across the country, the general consensus is that Ellie is unique, at least within the main narrative.
2. Could Ellie’s brain actually make a cure?
The possibility is presented, but it’s never realized. The Firefly doctor believes that Ellie’s brain holds the key, but the means of accessing it involves her death, which is why Joel intervenes.
3. Did Ellie know Joel lied about the cure?
Yes, the ambiguity surrounding Ellie’s knowledge of Joel’s lie is a significant element of the story. There is strong evidence to show that she knows Joel is lying.
4. Does Ellie ever cure everyone?
No, Ellie’s immunity is never used to create a cure in any of The Last of Us games. This possibility is never resolved, which contributes to the narrative’s overall sense of loss and moral ambiguity.
5. Is the Cordyceps brain infection possible in real life?
While the specific Cordyceps mutation depicted in The Last of Us is fictional, the underlying premise is based on real science. The transfer of the infection would be possible.
6. Why did Joel prevent the cure?
Joel’s decision stems from his paternal love for Ellie. He cannot bear the thought of losing her, even if it means sacrificing the potential for a cure.
7. Would killing Ellie have made a cure?
The Fireflies believed so, but the procedure required destroying her brain in the process. There is no guarantee that they could have developed a cure.
8. Why did the Fireflies stop looking for a cure?
There are many reasons. The resources to do this are limited, and the doctor who believed he could use Ellie’s brain died when Joel rescued her.
9. Why is Joel not Infected?
Sunday’s episode of “The Last of Us” revealed how the cordyceps fungal infection likely spread so rapidly around the world. It turns out Joel may have narrowly avoided being infected simply because of his food choices on the series’ pilot.
10. Why did the Infected kiss Tess?
In the show, she distracts an incoming pack of infected, which leads us to a rather unique moment. A runner spots Tess and instead of violently charging her as we’ve seen infected do before, it calmly walks over and gives her an open-mouthed kiss to allow tendrils of the evolved cordyceps fungi to pass into her.
11. How did Ellie survive the bite?
Anna also realizes that she was bitten during the fight, before swiftly cutting the umbilical cord connecting her and Ellie. This is the cause of Ellie’s Last of Us immunity. Given that the umbilical cord provides babies with oxygen and nutrients, the Cordyceps present in Anna’s system is transferred into Ellie.
12. Can Ellie infect others?
Ellie Almost Certainly Cannot Infect Others In The Last Of Us. There are some hints from The Last of Us Part II surrounding Ellie’s immunity and how it works.
13. Why did Ellie’s blood not heal Sam?
Ellie’s blood is not a cure. When Sam was bitten, Ellie desperately tried to save him by cutting her hand and spreading her blood over Sam’s wound. This did not work as Sam still turned.
14. Was Ellie’s mom also immune?
Ellie’s mother, Anna, had an encounter with an Infected while in labor. In the struggle to kill this Infected, Ellie was born. However, Anna was bitten.
15. Are there other immune like Ellie?
So far, there are no other immune survivors in the world of The Last of Us. Joel may have run away with humanity’s only shot at a vaccine.
The Enduring Impact of the Unresolved Cure
The absence of a cure in The Last of Us is more than just a plot point; it’s a thematic cornerstone. It forces characters and players alike to confront difficult questions about survival, sacrifice, and the meaning of hope in a world devoid of easy answers. The narrative power of the game and its adaptations stems not from a quest for a cure achieved, but from the agonizing consequences of a cure denied.
The exploration of complex moral and ethical dilemmas makes the game an important area of study. Understanding the impact of gaming can benefit from the research undertaken by organizations such as the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.