Why was Tess Killed?

Tess was killed in The Last of Us series as a sacrificial act to allow Joel and Ellie to escape and continue their journey, after she was infected by a runner through a unique and intimate method, often misinterpreted as a kiss. This pivotal moment serves as a catalyst for the rest of the story, highlighting the themes of survival, redemption, and the human condition in a post-apocalyptic world.

Understanding Tess’s Death

To delve deeper into the reasoning and implications of Tess’s death, let’s examine some frequently asked questions about her character and the events surrounding her demise.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why did Tess have to die in The Last of Us? Tess’s death was necessary to propel the story forward, emphasizing the dangers and sacrifices required in the post-apocalyptic world and highlighting Joel’s protective instincts towards Ellie.

2. How did Tess die in The Last of Us? Tess died after being infected by a runner, which transferred cordyceps fungus into her body through an open-mouthed kiss-like action, not a traditional kiss, leading to her infection and eventual death.

3. What was the purpose of Tess’s death? The purpose of Tess’s death was to illustrate the humane aspect of the story, where characters are willing to sacrifice themselves for the greater good, and to advance the plot by bringing Joel and Ellie closer together.

4. Was Tess in love with Joel? The relationship between Tess and Joel is complex, with hints of romantic feelings, but it’s primarily portrayed as a deep emotional bond and trust built over years of surviving together.

5. Why did the runner kiss Tess? The infected runner did not kiss Tess in a romantic sense but rather transferred the cordyceps fungus into her body through this intimate and terrifying method, showcasing the unique and dangerous nature of the infection.

6. How did Ellie know Tess was bitten? Ellie realized Tess was infected when she noticed the bite wound on her shoulder, indicating that the cordyceps fungus had entered her system.

7. What was the significance of Tess’s last words to Joel? Tess’s last words to Joel emphasized her unrequited love and the sacrifice she was making for them to escape, underscoring the emotional depth of the characters.

8. Why did Joel tape Tess’s foot? Joel used duct tape to treat Tess’s wound, similar to how he treated Ellie’s bite wound, showing his resourcefulness and care for his companions.

9. Is Joel in love with Ellie? Over the course of the series, Joel develops a deep paternal love for Ellie, which becomes a central theme of their relationship and the story’s progression.

10. Why are there no spores in The Last of Us show? The creators decided to remove spores from the show to make the infection mechanism more believable and to avoid the necessity of characters wearing masks constantly, which would alter the dynamic of interactions.

11. What does the infected kiss in The Last of Us signify? The infected kiss signifies the intimate and dangerous nature of the cordyceps infection, as well as the tragic circumstances under which Tess meets her end.

12. Why did Ellie survive the bite? Ellie’s immunity to the cordyceps fungus is due to her body already containing the fungus, which makes subsequent infections ineffective, rendering her immune.

13. How old was Tess when she died in real life? Annie Wersching, the actress who voiced Tess in the game, passed away at the age of 45 after a battle with cancer.

14. Was Ellie’s mom bitten before she gave birth? Yes, the series reveals that Ellie’s mother, Anna, was bitten by an infected person right before giving birth to Ellie, which is a pivotal moment in understanding Ellie’s immunity.

15. Why did Tess want Joel to take Ellie to the Fireflies? Tess believed that getting Ellie to the Fireflies could lead to a cure for the cordyceps fungus infection, offering her a chance at redemption for past actions and a way to save humanity.