Saving Her: The Last of Us Reminder

HBO’s ‘The Last of Us’ has returned, promising that every path demands its own price. As season two kicks off, Joel’s past actions in Salt Lake City return to haunt him. Five years later, those choices have reached his doorstep in Jackson, Wyoming. Abby and her friends are closing in, seeking vengeance. Despite this, Joel is already feeling the weight of his choices, having “saved” Ellie. The big question now lingers: Does he really deserve this burden?

Ellie’s Evasive Awareness

“I saved her,” Joel confides in his therapist, Gail. While Gail may not grasp the full story, we certainly do. Ellie, now distant, seems to have caught wind of Joel’s actions. Her demeanor, reminiscent of any typical 19-year-old, might mask deeper realizations. This isn’t any ordinary teen. Ellie might hold the key to humanity’s survival, a fact known only to Joel and Tommy.

Has Ellie uncovered the truth about the Fireflies and her intended sacrifice? Has she realized that Joel spun tales about the hospital catastrophe and why he intervened? Joel’s own doubts weigh heavily, as Ellie potentially connects the dots about his past decisions.

Joel’s Heavy Heart

Whether Ellie knows and accepts it or not, Joel remains tormented by his past actions. He grasps the implications of his choice, both for Ellie and the broader world. If Marlene had been honest with Ellie during those fateful days, she might have willingly sacrificed herself. Joel’s decision wasn’t rooted in defying Marlene’s intentions; it was about love and an insatiable need. Joel’s own history of loss—the shadow of his first daughter’s death—looms large. Ellie brings meaning to his life, a purpose he can’t live without.

Yet, love and protection bring their own costs. Whether or not Abby confronts Joel, his guilt remains. Joel knows he selfishly saved Ellie, potentially dooming humanity. Although he rationalizes his actions, questioning if it was fair for Ellie’s life to be gambled away, the weight remains. He considers the possibility the cure might have failed or that his love for Ellie didn’t justify sacrificing her. Yet, none of these thoughts ease his conscience.

The Inevitability of Choice

In Gail’s home, tears betray Joel’s inner turmoil. Despite saving a child, guilt gnaws at him for possibly dooming the world. The price for protecting Ellie includes the risk of her enmity. Even more painful? The reality that Ellie might resent him for his actions. Loving someone enough not to live without them comes with the bitter pill of potentially losing their love.

Is this outcome justifiable? For someone like Joel, who endured the ultimate loss watching his daughter die, should he bear this torment for saving Ellie?

HBO’s ‘The Last of Us’ provides an agonizing, yet profound answer: fairness isn’t the point. The consequences of our decisions remain inevitable. With every step, the repercussions follow, underscoring that in the world of ‘The Last of Us,’ there are no easy choices.