Joel's love for Ellie pushes him to make morally questionable decisions to protect her.
The iconic giraffe scene from the game is faithfully recreated in the show, symbolizing hope and affirming Joel's parental instincts.
In the intense action sequence at the hospital, Joel showcases his proficiency in violence to save Ellie, raising ethical dilemmas about protecting loved ones.
Deep dives
Joel's Sacrifice to Save Ellie
Joel's character is faced with a moral dilemma as he must choose to save Ellie's life by killing innocent people. This decision highlights Joel's love for Ellie and the lengths he is willing to go to protect her, even if it means crossing moral boundaries.
The Giraffe Moment
The iconic giraffe scene from the game is faithfully recreated in the show. This moment serves as a symbol of hope and reminds Joel that Ellie is still there, despite her emotional distance. The music choice and portrayal of Joel's parental instincts add depth and complexity to the scene.
Joel's Ruthless Actions
In the intense action sequence at the hospital, Joel showcases his proficiency in violence as he fights his way to save Ellie. The adaptation captures Joel's ability to dissociate from emotions and focus solely on the objective. The scene raises questions about morality and the extent one is willing to go to protect the ones they love.
Joel's realization of Ellie's loss of innocence
Joel recognizes the moment when Ellie's innocence is gone after they encounter the giraffe. He feels a sense of sadness as he realizes that Ellie is forever changed and warns her that they don't have to continue their dangerous journey.
Joel's honesty and Ellie's reaction
Joel reveals to Ellie his attempted suicide and the scars on his head. This revelation shows Ellie the true depth of their relationship and how much she means to him. Ellie's response, 'I'm glad that didn't work out,' conveys her love for Joel and her acceptance of his flaws.
Host Troy Baker and showrunners Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann are joined by special guest Ashley Johnson, who played Ellie in the game and plays a pivotal character in the finale episode of the season. The group unpacks the origin of Ellie’s immunity and the story of Joel’s scar. They also debate the morality of Joel’s decisions at the end of the show and what his actions do to his relationship with Ellie. HBO’s The Last of Us podcast is produced by HBO and Pineapple Street Studios.
