Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie's (Bella Ramsey) story on The Last of Us has been a lengthy one, but it's time for their tale to conclude, at least for this season. Throughout their journey, we've witnessed them lose allies, encounter foes, and navigate their way across most of the United States with the goal of delivering Ellie to the Fireflies in the hope of discovering a cure for the worldwide epidemic. In Episode 8, "When We Are in Need," Ellie took her first human life, killing the monstrous cannibal David (Scott Shepherd), with Joel there to comfort her. As they approach the conclusion of their journey, a bond has been formed that will be incredibly difficult to sever.
At the start of our Season 1 finale, we witness a pregnant woman (Ashley Johnson, who portrayed Ellie in The Last of Us games) running through the forest, attempting to outrun the infected that can be heard in the distance. She arrives at a farmhouse, but the individuals she was searching for are nowhere to be found. As she ascends the staircase, she notices that her water has broken, and she barricades herself in a second-story room. Despite the imminent arrival of her baby, the infected have breached the house and are attempting to break down the door to her room. During a confrontation with an infected woman who has broken in, the pregnant woman fends her off and grabs the dropped switchblade, the same weapon we have seen Ellie wield. She then proceeds to use the knife to kill the infected.
In the aftermath of the battle, the woman uses the same knife to cut the umbilical cord and holds her baby girl. Knowing their time together will be brief due to her infected bite, the woman savors these fleeting moments, showering her child with affection and kisses. As the baby cries, her mother imparts the words, “you fucking tell them, Ellie.” She holds baby Ellie close, and the child quiets down, but the new mother starts to weep.
Later that evening, we observe a trio of Fireflies, including Marlene (Merle Dandridge), arrive at the farmhouse and discover that it is secured. As they enter and explore the premises, they hear Anna, the new mother, singing. Anna is holding Ellie in one hand while holding a knife to her own neck with the other hand. Her infected bite is already looking severe, and Anna reveals that she did not want to nurse Ellie due to her condition. Anna lies to Marlene, claiming that she severed the umbilical cord before she was bitten. Anna implores Marlene to take Ellie to Boston and find someone to care for her and ensure her safety. Anna also requests that Ellie be given her switchblade.
Marlene refuses to comply with her request. When Anna asks Marlene how long they have known each other, Marlene responds, "our whole lives," to which Anna retorts, "so you pick her up right now, and then you kill me." Marlene relinquishes Ellie to another Firefly, instructing him to cover the baby's ears. She then returns to the room, resolute in her decision, and shoots Anna before she has the chance to reconsider.
In the present day, we find Ellie lost in thought while Joel tries to engage her with his findings of Chef Boyardee cans and a game of Boggle. However, Ellie seems uninterested and quiet, which is out of character for her. Joel informs her that they may be close to the hospital they are searching for, and as they walk down the interstate, he mentions finding a smashed-up guitar in an RV and suggests teaching Ellie how to play. Though she initially responds positively, Ellie is lost in her thoughts again.
As they enter Salt Lake City, Joel begins to share his plan, but Ellie finishes his sentence, indicating that she already knows what he's going to say. Joel jokes about using dynamite to clear the rubble, but Ellie remains unresponsive despite his attempts to engage her. Joel notices that something is off with Ellie, but he can't quite put his finger on it.
They enter a building and Joel suggests he'll give Ellie a boost to reach a ladder on the next floor, but Ellie remains distracted and not paying attention. Joel asks if everything is okay, noting her uncharacteristic quietness. Ellie apologizes and Joel reassures her that it's alright. They proceed, with Joel assisting Ellie up to the next floor. Yet, Ellie gets sidetracked, runs off and drops the ladder back down to Joel's floor. Joel climbs up to the next level, and Ellie urges him to follow her to see something. They ascend several flights of stairs until they witness a giraffe leisurely roaming outside a hole in the building. Both Joel and Ellie are struck with wonder, and Joel hands Ellie some leaves to feed the giraffe. Ellie's childlike laughter at the giraffe's black tongue makes Joel happy to share this moment with her.
As the giraffe moves on, Ellie chases after it, and they climb another set of stairs to an overgrown stadium where a herd of giraffes graze. Joel asks Ellie if this is everything she hoped for, to which she replies that it has its ups and downs but the view is undeniable. Joel seems to reflect on how far they've come since their first giraffe encounter in the infected zone. He acknowledges the risk of their mission and offers to return to Tommy's without pursuing it further, but Ellie insists that they must see it through to the end. She promises to follow Joel wherever he chooses to go after the mission's completion, but they cannot abandon what they started. Joel agrees, and they set off towards the hospital.
As they travel, they come across a devastated outdoor medical center that wasn't set up by FEDRA, but rather by the Army shortly after the outbreak. Joel reveals that he was once held in a similar place, but not with Sarah. Ellie inquires about his injury, and Joel discloses that it was caused by his own gun on the second day of the outbreak, as he was the one who shot and missed. They sit down, and Joel reveals that he lost hope after Sarah's death and was about to end his own life when he couldn't pull the trigger. He tells Ellie that meeting her has finally helped him heal his pain.
Changing the subject, Joel tries to lighten the mood with terrible puns, and Ellie pulls out her joke book. Suddenly, they are ambushed, and Joel and Ellie are separated as Ellie is captured and Joel is knocked unconscious.
When Joel regains consciousness, he finds himself in a hospital room, facing the Firefly logo and a welcome greeting from Marlene. He immediately asks about Ellie, but Marlene avoids the question and compliments Joel's bravery in bringing her across the country. Eventually, Marlene reveals that Ellie is being prepared for surgery to remove the cordyceps that grew inside her brain, a rare case that the Fireflies believe could lead to a cure. However, the surgery will also lead to Ellie's death. Despite Marlene's insistence that there is no other way, Joel refuses to let Ellie die and demands to see her.
When Marlene refuses, a scuffle ensues, and Joel is knocked to the ground. Marlene relents and reveals that she has no other option, as she promised Ellie's mother she would save her child. Joel declares that he has a choice and Marlene understands what he means. She hands Joel Ellie's switchblade and instructs her men to take him to the highway and leave him with his pack. If Joel attempts to interfere with the surgery, the men are to shoot him.
Joel is pushed through the hospital by two men, seemingly contemplating his next move. He stops on the stairs, strikes one of the men, takes the gun, and shoots the other. He then shoots the second man in the leg, demanding to know where Ellie is. When the man responds with profanity, Joel kills him and takes his bag, Ellie's knife, and some ammo. He moves through the hospital, killing anyone who crosses his path without question, driven solely by his determination to find Ellie. The massacre is a stark reminder of the man he was before Ellie entered his life.
Eventually, Joel arrives at the Pediatric Surgery section and spots Ellie through a window. She's being given anesthesia and prepared for surgery, but Joel demands that they unhook her. The doctor refuses and grabs a scalpel, but Joel shoots him and orders the nurses to unhook Ellie. Once they do, Joel picks her up and carries her to the elevator, determined to get her to safety.
In the parking garage, Marlene confronts Joel, warning him that he can't protect Ellie forever. No matter how many people he kills, she will grow up and face the dangers of the world alone. Marlene argues that Ellie could save the world, and it's not too late to find a way. She holds a gun on Ellie, asking Joel to consider what Ellie would want to do. Joel remembers her saying that it can't all be for nothing, and Marlene implores him to find a solution.
Joel gazes at the motionless Ellie in his embrace, and the scene cuts to him driving down the road. Initially, it appears that he may be the only one in the car, but then we hear Ellie stirring in the back seat. Joel reassures her that she's safe with him and that the effects of the drugs are gradually wearing off. Ellie inquires about the drugs, prompting Joel to fabricate a story about tests being conducted on her and others, but the doctors were unsuccessful in finding a cure. The narrative then shifts back to the parking garage, where Joel had to kill Marlene.
In the car, Ellie questions Joel about her hospital gown, and he deceives her once more, claiming that raiders had attacked the hospital, and he barely managed to rescue her. Ellie asks if anyone was injured, and Joel finally confesses, admitting that there were casualties. When Ellie asks about Marlene's fate, he evades the question and declares that he's taking them home. As Ellie falls back asleep, Joel whispers, "I'm sorry."
After putting Ellie in the car, we see Joel approaching Marlene, who is bleeding from the shot in her gut. Despite Marlene pleading for him to spare her, Joel is determined and tells her that she would come after Ellie, just like how she killed Anna. With this, he shoots her in the head.
Joel and Ellie manage to drive back to Wyoming, but their car eventually breaks down, forcing them to walk the remaining five hours to their destination. During their journey, Joel opens up about Sarah and their hiking adventures. However, Ellie remains quiet, still contemplating the events that took place in Salt Lake City. Joel tells Ellie that Sarah would have liked her, but they are different in some ways, such as Sarah being girly, taller, and with a killer smile. He reassures Ellie that this doesn't make either of them better and tells her that Ellie's sense of humor would have made Sarah laugh. While Ellie agrees that Sarah probably would have liked her, she still appears uneasy around Joel.
While walking, Joel spots Jackson in the distance, but Ellie appears to be uneasy about their new home. When Joel keeps moving forward, Ellie stops him to reveal her experience of killing for the first time, explaining that her best friend Riley was bitten alongside her at the mall. They waited together, but when Riley turned, Ellie was forced to kill her. Ellie continues to share the names of her fallen friends: Riley, Tess, and Sam. Joel reassures her that their deaths were not her fault, and encourages her to find something new to fight for.
Despite Joel's reassurance, Ellie interrupts him and asks him to swear that everything he said about the Fireflies is true. Without hesitation, Joel swears that it is. As the score swells, we see a close-up of Ellie's face as she considers whether to believe him and whether to continue following him on their journey. Eventually, she accepts his answer, nods, and says "okay," as the episode comes to a heart-wrenching end, concluding the first season.
What an ending to Season 1!
