Unraveling the Mystery: How Marlene Knew Ellie Was Immune in The Last of Us
Marlene, the leader of the Fireflies, knew Ellie was immune to the Cordyceps Brain Infection (CBI) because of findings from the Fireflies’ surgeon. He discovered that the Cordyceps present in Ellie’s system since birth acted as a “chemical messenger.” This unique condition caused the Cordyceps in her body to behave as if Ellie herself was Cordyceps, effectively preventing any newly introduced Cordyceps from taking hold and turning her into one of the Infected.
Delving Deeper: The Science Behind Ellie’s Immunity
The explanation given in The Last of Us presents a fascinating, albeit fictional, take on how immunity could develop in the face of a fungal infection. While not scientifically accurate in our current understanding, the narrative suggests that exposure to the Cordyceps at birth led to a symbiotic, rather than parasitic, relationship.
The Chemical Messenger Theory
The “chemical messenger” concept is key. It proposes that the Cordyceps that infected Ellie at birth wasn’t virulent in the typical sense. Instead, it integrated with her biology in a way that reprogrammed her immune system and, crucially, the behavior of other Cordyceps strains. When a typical Cordyceps strain enters her body through a bite or other exposure, it encounters this “chemical messenger” and is tricked into believing Ellie is already part of the Cordyceps network. This prevents the invading Cordyceps from taking over her brain and body, thus rendering her immune.
The Role of Anna, Ellie’s Mother
The circumstances surrounding Ellie’s birth are crucial to understanding her immunity. Anna, Ellie’s mother, was bitten by an infected shortly before giving birth. She managed to kill the infected but knew the infection would eventually take hold. Though she cut the umbilical cord shortly after the birth, the infected Cordyceps had already reached Ellie. This exposure, combined with the fact that Anna wasn’t aware the umbilical cord was cut after she had been infected, created the unique conditions for Ellie’s immunity. This is why Marlene, a lifelong friend of Anna, was entrusted with Ellie’s care.
Why Ellie Is Unique
One of the most striking aspects of The Last of Us is that Ellie is believed to be the only person immune to the Cordyceps Brain Infection. This rarity amplifies her importance to the Fireflies, who see her as the key to developing a vaccine. It also highlights the unique combination of circumstances – the timing of the infection in her mother, the nature of the Cordyceps strain, and Ellie’s own genetic makeup – that contributed to her immunity. The Games Learning Society offers many resources for understanding the relationship between games and learning.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How did Marlene find out Ellie is immune?
Marlene learned of Ellie’s immunity through the Fireflies’ surgeon, who conducted tests and research on Ellie after discovering her unusual condition. His findings suggested the Cordyceps present in Ellie since birth acted as a “chemical messenger” preventing further infection.
2. What secret does Marlene tell Ellie?
Marlene reveals to Ellie that she was responsible for placing her in the FEDRA military school immediately after her birth, aiming to ensure her safety and well-being.
3. Why didn’t Marlene take Ellie herself?
Marlene couldn’t allow herself the emotional connection needed to raise Ellie, as her priority was always the Fireflies. Also, she knew it would be contrary to Anna’s last wish to keep Ellie safe, and believed that FEDRA’s Boston base was the safest place for her.
4. Did Ellie’s mom lie to Marlene?
Yes, Anna lied to Marlene about when the umbilical cord was cut. She told Marlene that the cord was cut before she was bitten, to ensure that Marlene would not think Ellie was at risk. In actuality, the cord was cut after Anna was bitten.
5. Why is Joel not Infected?
The game suggests that Joel and his family avoided being infected at the initial outbreak because they avoided eating contaminated foods, specifically flour or sugar-based products, which were theorized to be the source of the initial Cordyceps mutation.
6. Does Ellie know Marlene knew her mom?
Yes, Ellie eventually learns that Marlene was a close friend of her mother, Anna. This is revealed through conversation and flashbacks.
7. Why is Ellie so important to Marlene?
Ellie is important to Marlene because she is trying to honor Anna’s dying wish to keep Ellie safe. She also views Ellie as a potential key to finding a cure for the Cordyceps infection. She sees Ellie as a surrogate daughter.
8. Why did Marlene want Joel to take Ellie?
Marlene was injured and unable to travel. She needed Joel and Tess to smuggle Ellie out of the QZ to meet with other Fireflies, as Ellie was of utmost importance to their cause.
9. Was Joel right in killing Marlene?
This is a highly debated topic. From Joel’s perspective, he was protecting Ellie and ensuring her safety. From the Fireflies’ perspective, he was destroying the potential for a cure and sacrificing humanity for personal gain. There is no single “right” answer.
10. Can Ellie spread the virus?
There is no evidence in the game or show to suggest that Ellie can spread the Cordyceps Brain Infection. Her immunity prevents the virus from taking hold, meaning she cannot transmit it to others.
11. Why was Ellie’s mom running through the woods?
Ellie’s mother, Anna, was on the run from an infected while pregnant. She was trying to reach a safe haven when she was attacked.
12. Why did Marlene put Ellie in military school?
Marlene believed that FEDRA’s Boston base was the safest place for Ellie to be raised and educated, given the state of the world. It allowed her to keep tabs on Ellie from a distance while ensuring her basic needs were met.
13. Is Ellie the only one immune?
As far as the characters and viewers are aware, Ellie is the only known person who has managed to live a normal life with Cordyceps in her system.
14. Is Ellie immune because her mom was bit?
Yes, Ellie’s immunity is a direct result of her mother being bitten shortly before her birth. This led to Ellie being exposed to the Cordyceps at a very young age.
15. Can Ellie cure others?
The possibility of creating a cure from Ellie’s immunity is central to the story of The Last of Us. However, it is never definitively resolved in either the game or the show, leaving it open to interpretation. Even if a cure was created, the Cordyceps, having integrated into Ellie’s cells, would not be able to cure others who have already been infected.
This deep dive into Marlene’s knowledge of Ellie’s immunity helps to illuminate one of the core conflicts within The Last of Us: the tension between individual love and sacrifice and the potential for saving humanity. To further your understanding of learning within games, check out GamesLearningSociety.org.