The Small Change in The Last of Us Season 2 That Will Leave Fans Speechless

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From the start of the series, creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann have been unashamed about the alterations they’ve made to the original source material. Initially, Druckmann developed the video game for Naughty Dog, and the first season closely mirrored the initial game. However, substantial departures from the script were daring moves that paid off notably in the acclaimed Frank and Bill episode.

In a more relaxed manner, Season 2 has made some alterations, and these changes are justified. Rearranging the sequence of events in the story, such as Dina and Ellie’s relationship progression, allowed their dynamic to grow more naturally and culminate in a more poignant emotional conclusion. The Last of Us has maintained this approach with the eagerly awaited return of Joel in Season 2, Episode 6, titled “The Price.” Pedro Pascal returned as the cherished father figure, leaving fans teary-eyed. They finally got the one scene they had been yearning for, albeit with a significant modification.

Joel and Ellie’s Final Conversation Had an Important Alteration

In true Neil Druckmann fashion, Season 2 of “The Last of Us” has been an emotionally harrowing odyssey for viewers. Since 2020, fans familiar with Joel’s fate have anticipated this narrative shift to reach a broader audience. Following Joel’s selfless act of sacrificing an entire hospital full of Fireflies to save Ellie, a debt was incurred. This debt collection, as seen from Abby’s perspective, represented a sense of justice. Abby’s father was the doctor who attempted to perform a surgery on Ellie that would have cost her life, and after his demise, she sought revenge against the man responsible – Joel. Upon learning about the Fireflies’ deaths, Ellie bore the cost of this revelation.

Cracks in her relationship with Joel became apparent until she challenged him over the falsehoods he used to convince her to leave the Firefly facility. For a significant period, they drifted apart until the well-known incident at the New Year’s Eve dance. There, she insisted he disclose the truth about that fateful night. Essentially, Joel confessed that he had lied about the events leading up to the attack on the Firefly hospital.

Initially, Joel informed Ellie that they fled before the operation due to a raid, but in truth, Joel couldn’t stand by as Ellie died, even if it meant sacrificing countless others. He massacred everyone at the hospital to free Ellie and promised her that there would be no more attempts to exploit her immunity for a cure. In the famous porch scene, Ellie had already figured out these deceptions, which caused significant tension between them. In the game, this dialogue followed a similar pattern, with one key exception.

In a different phrasing, here’s how we can express the given text:
Ellie was deeply disheartened by Joel’s actions in the predicament as they seemed to strip her of her reason for existence. She believed that her life held significance only if it ended for a grand cause like this one. In the game, however, Joel remains silent or unconsoling. Conversely, in the show, when Ellie expressed these feelings, Joel responded by explaining his actions were driven by love for her. After she accused Joel of being selfish, he clarified that his actions stemmed from his affection towards her. This alteration in the adaptation significantly enhanced the depth and complexity of the characters.

Ellie Deserved to Hear That She Was Loved

In this series, trauma is what drives every character, and Joel’s pain from losing his daughter Sarah stands out. However, Ellie’s suffering, while more nuanced, is equally impactful. As an orphan, Ellie was placed in a military school by FEDRA, where unwanted children are sent for safety. Yet, she missed the warmth of a loving family. The only family she knew was Riley, who met a tragic end during their visit to the sealed-off mall.

As the sole guardian figure in Ellie’s life, I held a profound role for her. Yet, those years spent isolated left her with feelings of insignificance. The only way she could find purpose was by making the ultimate sacrifice – giving up her own life to save humanity. However, what Ellie didn’t foresee was how deeply a parent cherishes their child. Losing another child would have been more than I could bear, and it’s possible that I may have joined her in the afterlife. This unconditional love, so strong and selfless, was something she struggled to understand at first.

Learning that Joel genuinely cared for her and was willing to go to great lengths for her helped Ellie grasp the significance of this decision. Joel acknowledged the potential consequences of his actions, expressing hope that Ellie might one day have a child who could make wiser choices than he did. It’s possible that such an opportunity will arise for Ellie in future episodes, allowing her to continue the Miller legacy of making positive impacts on future generations. Joel’s words seemed to convey the message that was lacking in the game.

In her fiery and sometimes wild temperament, Ellie rarely understood the concept of unconditional love, given her upbringing within the Quarantine Zone where all she experienced was pain and hardship. Despite Joel’s challenging company, their journey together was the closest either had come to experiencing happiness. Sharing a history and finding solace in each other’s presence filled an emptiness, making Ellie receptive to reconciliation. Forgiveness might have been beyond her reach, but because of her deep affection for Joel, she yearned to attempt it. The saddest aspect of the story in The Last of Us – at least in this episode – was realizing that such a possibility would never materialize for them.

Joel’s Confession Makes Ellie’s Revenge Even More Significant

Neil Druckmann skillfully manipulates emotions in his narratives, often leaving a profound impact. In the first season, Ellie and Joel crossed paths with Henry and Sam, who were mirrored reflections of each other. Despite Henry making significant sacrifices to protect his sibling, it ultimately didn’t make a difference. Regrettably, Sam was bitten, necessitating him to be euthanized.

In crafting The Last of Us, its creator deliberately opts for the harsher choice when a mere hint of tragedy would suffice. For instance, Joel’s death could have ignited Ellie’s resolve, but things were even bleaker than that. By driving a wedge between them with a glimmer of reconciliation, only to crush it, he added layers of sorrow to an already grim scenario. Skillfully, the creator inflicts emotional pain on his audience to forge a profound and moving narrative.

Ellie would have pursued Joel’s killers regardless of the situation, but discovering that he had told her he loved her once – a sentiment she rarely heard from anyone – especially from her father figure, just hours before his demise, would have left a profound mark on her. This revelation not only intensified the sorrow of his eventual death, but it also highlighted the loss of any chance for them to rebuild their bond. In the subsequent episodes, Ellie’s harshness was not only justified due to this tragedy, but essential.

In summary, “The Last of Us” is a narrative centered around the recurring theme of violence, underscoring how even something as beautiful as love can give birth to unimaginable horrors. Joel’s act of killing the Fireflies to protect his cherished connection resulted in Abby taking his life, leading Ellie to embark on her own destructive path. The intensity of this story is mirrored by Ellie’s actions, which reflect the profound pain she experienced from losing such a precious bond. Joel’s words provided insight into why Ellie’s single-minded focus became more comprehensible. Unfortunately, their time spent in harmony was limited, causing Ellie to channel her grief and anger towards anyone within reach. Nora was unfortunate enough to bear the brunt of Ellie’s sorrow initially.

In a chilling turn of events, Nora found herself at the top of the list due to the fact she had restrained Ellie while witnessing Abby brutally attack Joel with a golf club. It was then Nora who felt the wrath of Ellie’s anger, as she targeted the same leg where Joel was struck during his ordeal and ultimately killed. Ellie intended to extract information from Nora about Abby’s location, but when it became apparent that wasn’t feasible, Ellie carried out her vengeance.

In that pivotal moment, my focus was squarely on Ellie’s unequivocal acceptance of Joel’s deeds at Firefly Hospital. For the first time in the series, Ellie openly acknowledged knowing what Joel had done there. Unlike the episode that followed, her response this time was starkly different – she simply didn’t care. Abby had stripped her of any ethical advantage, and all that remained was a thirst for retribution.

Joel’s heartfelt expression of fatherly affection encapsulates Neil Druckmann’s central idea perfectly. Love, being one of the strongest feelings worldwide, isn’t inherently good or evil; it has the capacity to motivate individuals to perform even the most appalling deeds. The realization that the person who adored Ellie is now absent justifies her choices, regardless of how dreadful they might turn out. Now, as a caregiver herself, Ellie has finally grasped what it means to stand in Joel’s footsteps, and it’s not an effortless journey.

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2025-05-27 00:21