How long were Joel and Tommy apart in The Last of Us?
Joel and Tommy were apart for 20 years after the outbreak, with their separation occurring due to a rift in their relationship caused by their divergent values. This time apart is a crucial element in the storyline of The Last of Us, affecting the characters’ development and the plot’s progression.
Understanding the Separation
The separation between Joel and Tommy is a pivotal aspect of The Last of Us narrative, influenced by the post-apocalyptic world they inhabit. To delve deeper into their story and the world of The Last of Us, let’s explore some frequently asked questions related to Joel, Tommy, and the universe they are part of.
FAQs
1. How many years were Tommy and Joel apart?
Tommy and Joel were apart for 20 years, from 2003 to 2023, following the outbreak that changed their world forever.
2. Why do Joel and Tommy separate?
Joel and Tommy separate due to a blowout argument caused by their difference in ideology, leading to Tommy expressing his desire to never see Joel again.
3. Why didn’t Joel stay with Tommy?
Joel didn’t stay with Tommy because their values were too divergent, making it impossible for them to continue traveling together in harmony.
4. What is the time skip in The Last of Us?
There is a five-year time-jump between the events of the first and second games, during which Ellie visibly grows from 14 to 19 years old.
5. How long is the time gap in The Last of Us?
The main timeline of The Last of Us starts 20 years after the opening sequence, although the exact date is not immediately provided.
6. Why did they skip 20 years in The Last of Us?
The 20-year skip allows the series to premiere in 2023 while staying true to the game’s timeline by adjusting the outbreak year from 2013 to 2003.
7. Does Joel ever see Tommy again?
Yes, Joel and Tommy reunite, but their meeting is complicated by Joel’s request for help in delivering Ellie to the supposed vaccine location.
8. What did Tommy do when Joel died?
After Joel’s death, Tommy displays a more aggressive side, seeking retaliation against Abby and her group, using methods similar to those Joel once employed.
9. What happens to Tommy after Joel dies?
Tommy settles in Jackson, Wyoming, with his wife Maria, where he becomes involved in the community and later seeks revenge for Joel’s death.
10. Is Tommy actually Joel’s brother?
Yes, Tommy is Joel’s younger brother, with their bond being a central theme in the story, despite their eventual separation.
11. Does Joel actually leave Ellie with Tommy?
Joel and Tommy discuss leaving Ellie with Maria, but the decision is influenced by Tommy’s new life and his impending fatherhood.
12. What happened to Joel’s wife?
Joel’s wife is unnamed and not physically present in the story; her separation from Joel is mentioned, implying a divorce due to Joel’s past and the changes within him.
13. Did Tommy marry Joel’s wife?
No, Tommy married Maria, the leader of a settlement in Jackson, Wyoming, not Joel’s ex-wife.
14. Did Joel know Tommy was alive?
Joel had limited knowledge of Tommy’s whereabouts, hearing about him secondhand over the years following their argument.
15. Why is Ellie immune?
Ellie’s immunity to the Cordyceps infection is due to her birth and the unique circumstances surrounding it, specifically the transfer of Cordyceps from her mother Anna through the umbilical cord, which somehow granted her immunity instead of infecting her.