The action-adventure game The Last of Us takes place in a post-apocalyptic setting and players take control of Joel, a smuggler, as he guides Ellie, a small child, through perilous environments teeming with hostile survivors and sick monsters.
The game combines puzzle-solving, stealth, and fierce fighting. It is renowned for its emotional moments, deep characters, and compelling plot, gameplay, graphics, and soundtrack. Due to its popularity, it became one of the most influential video games ever made, inspiring a TV series, a sequel, and remakes.
Joel's tragic decision to save humanity's chance for a cure in order to preserve Ellie is at the core of The Last of Us's notorious storyline. The tone of Part II of the tale changes as a result of this incident, which starts a cycle of retaliation. It's a fearless, poignant voyage that explores morality, love, and the price of survival.
More about Joel’s arc on The Last of Us Season 2
Joel's moral uncertainty, a central theme that will run throughout The Last of Us Season 2, is subtly introduced in the first episode. The topic of whether Joel is the genuine monster is gently raised by an innocent discussion between Joel and his nephew Benji, in which Benji playfully imitates shooting Joel after being instructed to "keep shooting those monsters." Despite appearing to be lighthearted, this scene foreshadows the more profound emotional and moral issues the show would soon address.
Season 2 continues where season 1 left off, with the consequences of Joel's decision to save Ellie by killing members of the Fireflies. To him, it was an act of love to refuse to lose another daughter figure, and others, like Abby, whose father was killed in the tragedy, found Joel's acts reprehensible. The premiere depicts Abby's hunt for Joel, foreshadowing the inevitable conflict of perspectives that will propel the tale forward.
Joel makes a crucial choice in the game The Last of Us that alters everything. He decides to protect Ellie from the Fireflies at the end of Part I, an organization that wants to harness her immunity to develop a cure. However, doing so would result in Ellie's death. Joel murders the Fireflies, including Abby's father, the head doctor. He can't allow it to happen because he's already lost a daughter. He then tells Ellie a lie, claiming that the Fireflies have given up on finding a solution.
This decision sets the tone for The Last of Us Part II, in which Abby seeks vengeance for her father's death. The upcoming season of the HBO drama is set to continue this plot. The first episode shows symptoms of Abby's anguish and wrath. If the program remains true to the game, Joel's death at Abby's hands may be revealed.
Though the program may vary certain elements, Joel's actions and the repercussions are likely to remain central to the tale. His decision not only impacts Ellie, but it also propels the emotional drama of the series ahead. It's a watershed moment that will shape the events that follow.