The Complex Answer to “Who Saved Joel?” in The Last of Us

The question of who saved Joel in The Last of Us is deceptively simple. The immediate answer is Ellie saved Joel after his near-fatal injury. However, the deeper you delve into the narrative complexities of the game and the show, the more nuanced and multifaceted this seemingly straightforward statement becomes. It’s not merely a physical act of rescuing someone from imminent danger; it’s a complex web of interwoven relationships, difficult choices, and the ultimate exploration of love, loss, and redemption. Ellie’s actions initially keep him alive, but numerous characters, circumstances, and even Joel himself play a crucial role in his long-term survival. Let’s break it down.

Ellie’s Immediate Rescue

Following Joel’s brutal injury sustained in Pittsburgh, Ellie’s resourcefulness and determination are undeniably what initially save him. She stiches his wounds and finds a somewhat safe place for him to rest. Ellie tirelessly seeks medicine and supplies, proving her ability to survive in this hostile world. Without her immediate actions, Joel would undoubtedly have succumbed to his wounds or the infected. This act establishes the deep bond that defines their relationship throughout the series.

The Role of Others

While Ellie is pivotal in saving Joel, other characters indirectly contribute to his survival, too.

• Bill: This paranoid survivalist reluctantly provides Joel and Ellie with a car, enabling them to travel further and ultimately find help. His assistance, though begrudging, is essential for their continued journey.
• Tommy: Joel’s brother, living in a relatively safe settlement in Jackson, provides long-term refuge for Joel and Ellie. Tommy offers Joel a place to heal and a community where they can find a sense of normalcy, albeit temporary.

The Weight of Joel’s Actions

Interestingly, Joel also “saves” himself in a way, though often in morally ambiguous ways. His relentless survival instincts, honed over years of living in a brutal world, keep him alive against all odds. However, these same instincts lead him to make choices that ultimately impact his future, including the controversial decision at the hospital. This is a man accustomed to taking life-saving actions for himself, but is also deeply affected by panic attacks triggered by his past.

The Unforeseen Consequences

Joel’s decision to save Ellie from the Fireflies has far-reaching consequences. While he saves her life in the short term, his actions rob her of the chance to potentially create a cure for the Cordyceps infection. This ultimately leads to resentment from Ellie, a significant rift in their relationship, and eventually, the tragic events that unfold in The Last of Us Part II. So, in a twisted way, his “saving” her also plants the seeds of his eventual demise.

Beyond Physical Rescue

The concept of “saving” transcends mere physical rescue in The Last of Us. Joel, a broken man haunted by the loss of his daughter, finds a renewed sense of purpose in protecting Ellie. She becomes a surrogate daughter, filling the void left by Sarah’s death. In this sense, Ellie “saves” Joel emotionally, giving him something to fight for and a reason to live. He is finally able to care deeply for someone again.

Ultimately, the answer to “Who saved Joel?” is complex and interwoven. Ellie’s actions were critical to his immediate survival, while other characters provided essential support. However, Joel’s own actions, both selfless and selfish, ultimately shaped his destiny. The narrative explores how the act of “saving” someone can have both positive and devastating consequences, blurring the lines between heroism and self-preservation. The Last of Us is more than just a zombie survival story; it’s a deeply human tale of love, loss, and the lengths we go to protect the ones we care about.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why is Ellie immune to Cordyceps?

Ellie’s immunity stems from a unique circumstance during her birth. Her mother, Anna, was bitten by an infected runner shortly before giving birth. She swiftly cut the umbilical cord, resulting in the Cordyceps being transferred to Ellie while she was still in utero. This early exposure led to an atypical relationship between the fungus and her body, granting her immunity.

2. Was Ellie’s blood ever used to make a cure?

In The Last of Us, Ellie’s blood was never successfully used to create a cure. The Fireflies believed that by studying the Cordyceps in her brain, they could develop a vaccine. However, this process would require sacrificing Ellie, a decision that Joel ultimately prevented. While Ellie tried to let Sam use her blood to prevent him from turning, this did not work.

3. What exactly did Joel lie to Ellie about?

At the end of the first game, Joel lies to Ellie about what happened at St. Mary’s Hospital. He tells her that there were other immune people, but the Fireflies failed to create a cure. He also says they stopped looking and that Ellie was not special. He omits the fact that the Fireflies wanted to kill her to extract the Cordyceps from her brain, effectively destroying any chance of a cure, and that he killed everyone to rescue her.

4. How did Ellie find out Joel lied?

Ellie discovers the truth about Joel’s lie during a flashback in The Last of Us Part II. She overhears a recording of Marlene, the leader of the Fireflies, discussing the events at the hospital. This revelation deeply impacts Ellie and creates a significant rift in her relationship with Joel.

5. What was the significance of Joel killing the Fireflies?

Joel’s decision to kill the Fireflies was driven by his desire to protect Ellie, whom he had come to see as a surrogate daughter. He couldn’t bear to lose another child-like figure after Sarah’s death. By stopping the surgery and killing the Fireflies, he ensured Ellie’s survival, but his actions also extinguished any hope of creating a cure.

6. What did Ellie not forgive Joel for?

Ellie struggled to forgive Joel not only for lying to her but also for depriving her of the choice to sacrifice herself for the potential cure. She felt her life had a greater purpose, and Joel’s actions had taken that away from her.

7. Why did Joel have a panic attack when he left the cabin with Ellie?

Joel’s panic attacks are a manifestation of his PTSD related to Sarah’s death and the trauma he has experienced. The close proximity of the cabin to the events he’s been trying to bury resurface as he clutches his chest. The anxiety is further augmented as he realizes he is growing closer to someone again, with all of the potential for loss that entails.

8. Why was Joel so protective of Ellie?

Joel’s protectiveness towards Ellie stems from his growing affection for her and his desire to prevent another devastating loss like Sarah’s death. He sees Ellie as a second chance at fatherhood and is determined to keep her safe, even if it means making morally questionable decisions.

9. Was Joel in love with Tess?

The nature of Joel and Tess’s relationship is intentionally ambiguous. While there’s no explicit confirmation, their interactions suggest a deep bond and mutual dependence, hinting at a romantic connection. They had been partners for a long time and trusted each other implicitly.

10. Why did Abby kill Joel?

Abby killed Joel as an act of revenge for him killing her father, Jerry Anderson, who was the surgeon prepared to operate on Ellie to create a cure. Abby and her friends spent years tracking down Joel to exact their revenge.

11. How did Abby know Ellie was immune?

Abby was informed about Ellie’s immunity at the “Pinnacle” facility. She had her gun trained on Tommy when she was told, thus establishing the reason why she was after Joel.

12. Why did Ellie let Abby live at the end of The Last of Us Part II?

At the end of The Last of Us 2, Ellie realized that exacting revenge on Abby would not bring Joel back or honor his memory, but would only perpetuate the cycle of violence. Allowing Abby to live symbolized Ellie’s attempt to break free from the endless cycle of vengeance and begin the healing process.

13. Was Joel aware of the potential consequences of his actions at the hospital?

Yes, Joel was fully aware of the potential consequences. He understood that by saving Ellie, he was sacrificing the possibility of a cure for the Cordyceps infection. However, his paternal instincts and the fear of losing another child-like figure outweighed the potential benefits to humanity.

14. Do Joel and Ellie have any mental health issues?

Yes, both Joel and Ellie exhibit signs of significant trauma and mental health issues. Joel suffers from anxiety attacks and likely PTSD related to Sarah’s death and the violence he has witnessed. Ellie struggles with survivor’s guilt and the emotional burden of her immunity, and her own PTSD. They both exhibit symptoms of depression at various points.

15. Was Sam infected in the show or game the same way?

Sam was bitten in the skirmish in both the game and show. In both versions, Sam’s infection and subsequent transformation are a heartbreaking moment for Ellie, and lead to devastating events for her.

These frequently asked questions provide further insights into the complex narrative of The Last of Us and the intricate relationships that drive the story forward. The depth of the game lends itself to a wide range of interpretations and opinions on the characters and their actions.