Do Joel and Ellie Survive?

In the context of The Last of Us series, Joel and Ellie‘s survival is a central theme, with the answer to their survival being complex and dependent on the specific storyline or game plot being referenced. Ultimately, while they face numerous challenges and Joel meets a tragic end in The Last of Us Part II at the hands of Abby, their journey and the bond they form are pivotal to the narrative’s exploration of survival, love, and redemption in a post-apocalyptic world.

Understanding the Storyline

To delve deeper into the survival of Joel and Ellie, it’s essential to understand the plot of both The Last of Us and its sequel, as well as the TV adaptation. The core of the story revolves around Joel, tasked with escorting Ellie across the United States to a supposed safe haven, where her apparent immunity to the Cordyceps virus could be used to create a cure.

Key Plot Points

• The Last of Us concludes with Joel rescuing Ellie from the Fireflies, who intended to use her to develop a vaccine, killing her in the process. This act of salvation comes at the cost of potentially undermining efforts to save humanity.
• The Last of Us Part II picks up years later, with Joel being brutally murdered by Abby as an act of revenge for killing her father, a Firefly surgeon. This event sets Ellie on a path of vengeance.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does Joel Die in The Last of Us Season 1 Finale?

• No, Joel survives his kidnapping attempt and saves Ellie’s life, though almost no one else survives the ordeal at the Fireflies’ base.

1. How Does The Last of Us End Ellie and Joel?

• The game ends with Joel going on a violent rampage to save Ellie from the Fireflies, killing everyone in his path, an act that concludes with him lying to Ellie about the events to protect her.

1. What Did Joel Whisper Before He Died?

• In an early version of Joel’s death scene, he was to utter “Sarah,” his daughter’s name, but the final version has him remain silent, aiming to evoke anger rather than sadness.

1. What Happens to Ellie After Joel Dies?

• Ellie seeks revenge against Abby, motivated by Tommy’s decision to go to Seattle to find her, leading Ellie and Dina on a perilous journey.

1. Why Was Joel Killed?

• Joel was killed by Abby as revenge for killing her father, a Firefly surgeon, highlighting the cycle of violence and revenge in the series.

1. Could Joel Still Be Alive?

• In the context of the game and its storyline, Joel’s death is a pivotal plot point, but in alternative scenarios or adaptations, his survival could explore different narrative paths.

1. Why Is Ellie Immune?

• Ellie’s immunity stems from being exposed to the Cordyceps virus in the womb, as her mother, Anna, was bitten before giving birth, passing on the infection and subsequently the immunity to Ellie.

1. Who Takes Care of Ellie After Joel Dies?

• After Joel’s death, Ellie is taken care of by Dina and others in their community, with Tommy also playing a significant role in her life.

1. Does Ellie Forgive Joel Before He Dies?

• Ellie and Joel’s complicated relationship culminates in Ellie not forgiving Joel before his death, but her actions afterward can be seen as a form of forgiveness and closure.

1. Does Joel Get Attached to Ellie?

   • Yes, Joel forms a deep paternal bond with Ellie, seeing her as a daughter and willing to risk everything to protect her.

2. How Does Joel Die?

   • Joel is brutally murdered by Abby in the first act of The Last of Us Part II, setting the stage for the rest of the game’s narrative.

3. Does Abby Regret Killing Joel?

   • While Abby does not explicitly regret killing Joel, her actions and their consequences contribute to her character development and the exploration of the cycle of violence.

4. How Did Joel Betray Ellie?

   • Joel lied to Ellie about the cure and the events at the Fireflies’ base, a betrayal motivated by his desire to protect her but causing significant tension and conflict in their relationship.

5. Does Ellie Know Why Abby Killed Joel?

   • Ellie believes Abby killed Joel because he prevented the Fireflies from potentially creating a vaccine, highlighting the misunderstanding and revenge that drive the plot.

6. Do They Ever Find a Cure in The Last of Us?

   • The possibility of a cure is left unresolved in both the games and the TV series, with Joel’s actions preventing the Fireflies from using Ellie to develop a vaccine, and no clear alternative solution being found by the end of the narratives explored so far.