How does The Last of Us end?

Joel wipe­s out the Fireflies to save Ellie at the end of The Last of Us season 1.

The first season of The Last Of Us wraps up with Joe­l eliminating the fireflie­s to ensure Ellie's survival. This series is a U.S. post-apocalyptic drama, its storyline is taken from Naughty Dog’s highly praise­d video game sharing the same title. Debuting on HBO, the show was comme­nded for its plot, characters, and theme­s about survival and adaptability. The second season of the series is confirmed.

What is The Last of Us about?

The Last of Us is a post-apocalyptic drama based on the critically acclaimed video game. It premiered in January 2023. Its plot follows a world where twenty years after a fungal pandemic devastates the world, civilization is in ruins, and infected people wander around aimlessly. Survivor communities survive here and there, but they are constantly under threat of attack from the infected or other desperate human factions themselves.

At the heart of this post-apocalyptic world are two characters, Joel and Ellie, whose lives intertwine in unexpected ways. Joel is tasked to smuggle Ellie, and he first sees it as his mission and nothing else, but eventually, a father-daughter bond starts forming between them.

How did The Last of Us end?

The concluding episodes of The Last of Us show, mirror the narrative trajectory of the video game, the storyline takes a divisive turn, leaving room for varied interpretations among viewers. The narrative unfolds as Joel and Ellie, having reached the Eastern Fireflies hospital, face a critical decision. Marlene, the leader of the Fireflies, discloses that developing a cure from Ellie's immunity would necessitate a fatal surgery, effectively sacrificing her. Unwilling to accept the prospect of losing Ellie, Joel opts to rescue her, jeopardizing the potential cure in the process.

The climax intensifies as Joel, in a determined and violent effort, storms the hospital, eliminating numerous members of Fireflies to reach Ellie in the operating room. Marlene pleads with him, appealing to the greater good of humanity, but Joel, haunted by the fear of losing Ellie, prioritises her well-being over the potential cure.

The final scene shifts to their Wyoming community, Jackson, where Ellie discovers a guitar left by Joel, sparking her suspicion about the truth. Confronting Joel, she demands an explanation, leading to a poignant moment of ambiguity. Joel, burdened by past trauma and a desire to protect Ellie, stands by his lie, swearing to its truth.

By the end of the series, Ellie is sitting next to Joel. Her expression leaves viewers guessing: Does she believe him? The intentional vagueness challenges viewers to determine the moral value of Joel's actions and Ellie's feelings.