Possible 1000 Words Article:
How The Last of Us Last Episode Nailed Its Emotional Conclusion
The Last of Us is one of the most critically acclaimed video games of all time, hailed for its storytelling, gameplay, and immersive world-building. Developed by Naughty Dog, the game follows the journey of Joel and Ellie, two survivors in a post-apocalyptic America ravaged by a fungal epidemic that turns people into monsters. Along their way, they face various challenges and encounter different factions, including infected, bandits, hunters, soldiers, and even cannibals. However, their main goal is to reach the Firefly in Salt Lake City, who might have the cure for the outbreak.
The Last of Us spans across multiple locations and timelines, exploring themes such as love, loss, loyalty, sacrifice, and redemption. The game also introduces a cast of compelling characters, each with their own backstory and motivation. However, at the core of the game is the relationship between Joel and Ellie, who gradually form a bond that transcends the harsh realities of their world. Joel, a rugged smuggler and father grieving for his daughter, sees in Ellie a chance to redeem himself and protect someone he cares about. Ellie, a brave and curious teenager, finds in Joel a surrogate father figure and a guardian of her innocence. Their dynamic is both heartwarming and heartbreaking, as they grow closer while facing the horrors of the infected and the human cruelty.
The Last of Us also features some of the most poignant and memorable moments in video game history, such as the giraffe scene in which Joel and Ellie witness the beauty of nature amidst the ruins of society, or the winter chapter in which players control both Joel and Ellie and switch their roles and perspectives. However, the ultimate test of the game’s storytelling prowess comes in its last episode, which has to deliver a satisfying and emotional conclusion to the players’ investment in the characters and the world.
The Last of Us’ last episode is divided into three parts: the escape from the hospital, the confrontation with Marlene, and the final conversation between Joel and Ellie. Each part builds on the previous ones, adding tension, suspense, and tragedy to the narrative. The escape from the hospital is a thrilling and brutal sequence that pits Joel against armed guards and surgeons who want to use Ellie’s brain to create the cure. The players must navigate through corridors, rooms, and elevators, using stealth, gunplay, and quick-time events to survive. The atmosphere is tense, as the players hear the doctors discuss Ellie’s fate and the Firefly leader Marlene order her execution. The players also witness some disturbing implications of the Fireflies’ ideology and methods, such as the euthanasia of infected children or the experimentation on live subjects.
The confrontation with Marlene is a pivotal scene that reveals the true cost of Joel’s decision to save Ellie from the surgery. Marlene, who was once Joel’s ally and friend, becomes his adversary and accuses him of dooming humanity to extinction by denying them the cure. She also reveals that Ellie had no say in the matter and that Joel killed many people, including her friends, to protect her. Marlene’s performance is superb, conveying both desperation and despair as she pleads for Joel to let her take Ellie. The scene also raises ethical questions about the value of a single life versus the welfare of many, and the balance between science and morality.
The final conversation between Joel and Ellie in the car is a masterful piece of writing, acting, and direction that seals the emotional impact of the game. The players control Joel as he drives Ellie back to his hometown, but the dialogue between the two characters is what fuels the scene’s power. Ellie, who was unconscious during the escape and woke up confused and panicked in the car, asks Joel what happened and why he lied to her about the outcome of the surgery. Joel, torn between guilt and love, tells Ellie that the Fireflies failed to make the cure and that they don’t need to sacrifice her for a chance that might not work. He also confesses that he couldn’t bear losing another daughter and that he would do anything to protect her. Ellie, angry and hurt, challenges Joel’s morality and integrity, asking him if he thinks she is still worth saving and if he even believes his own lies. The dialogue is intense and raw, and the actors Troy Baker and Ashley Johnson deliver some of their best performances in their careers. The scene also showcases the game’s attention to detail, from the realistic facial expressions to the subtle animations of the car’s interior.
The Last of Us ends on a bittersweet note, as Joel and Ellie reach his house and share a moment of reconciliation and ambiguity. Ellie, who had previously wanted to know more about Joel’s past and his daughter Sarah, asks him to swear that what he said about the Fireflies was true. Joel swears, and Ellie leaves it at that, but not before adding that she is not his daughter. The players can interpret the ending in different ways, but one thing is clear: Joel’s decision to save Ellie has consequences that he must live with, and that Ellie may or may not fully understand. The ending also leaves room for a sequel, which was eventually released in 2020 and continued the story of Joel and Ellie in unexpected ways.
In conclusion, The Last of Us last episode nailed its emotional conclusion by delivering a tense, tragic, and meaningful climax to the game’s story. The escape from the hospital, the confrontation with Marlene, and the final conversation between Joel and Ellie all build up to a cathartic and ambiguous ending that resonates with the players long after they put down the controller. The Last of Us is a remarkable achievement in video game storytelling and a testament to the power of interactive media to evoke empathy, emotion, and reflection.
