Why Joel’s Controversial Choice In The Last Of Us Might Actually Be Right

Summary

Joel’s decision to save Ellie instead of sacrificing her for a vaccine reflects his fatherly nature.
The Fireflies are morally ambiguous and not the heroes they initially appear to be.
Ellie’s sacrifice for a vaccine would deprive the world of decency in a post-apocalyptic society.

Back in 2013, the release of The Last of Us sparked widespread conversation. This PS3-exclusive game significantly bolstered Sony’s standing for creating exclusive titles with captivating stories. It served as proof that video games could boast narratives on par (or even surpassing) those found in box-office films. Time and again, it has been praised as a work of art, and rightly so.

In contemporary discussions, many gamers continue to grapple with the moral dilemmas presented in the game’s narrative, particularly its climactic finale. This sequence provided players with one of gaming’s most ethically intricate moments, leaving them torn between sacrificing a character like Ellie for potential global salvation or opting for vengeance to protect her. Interestingly, Joel’s choice wasn’t as challenging as one might expect, leading to a violent confrontation. Since then, fans have been divided over whether Joel made the correct decision. Both perspectives hold merit, but the following points lean towards justifying his actions.

7. Would A Vaccine Even Work?

Curing Cordyceps Would Likely Not Be Easy

Joey isn’t a scientist, but the things he observes in the hospital would be enough to make him question if a vaccine could actually work. The doctors’ recordings and notes show that the Cordyceps on Ellie’s brain has changed, and somehow her body has learned to deal with it. They are hoping that by taking out and studying the fungus, they might (possibly) be able to develop a vaccine.

However, there’s an underlying feeling that the Fireflies are hasty and performing a potentially fatal operation. As the player delves into one of the game’s most challenging zones, it seems unlikely that the Fireflies possess the sufficient workforce and resources to produce a vaccine. Nevertheless, their makeshift team of doctors and nurses appear capable of using a single patient to synthesize a vaccine. Moreover, Marlene herself seems conflicted in her logs. To add to this conundrum, how could a vaccine be disseminated among a global populace primarily engaged in warfare?

But it’s clear they’re rushing and possibly putting lives at risk. The player finds themselves in one of the game’s toughest areas where it’s hard to imagine the Fireflies possessing the necessary personnel and equipment for vaccine production. Yet, their motley crew of medical professionals seem capable of manufacturing a vaccine using just one patient. Even Marlene, in her logs, shows signs of being torn. To top it all off, how would they distribute a vaccine to a world largely divided by warring factions?

6. Ellie Has No Agency

No One Asks Ellie What She Really Wants

One common critique of Joel’s actions is that by choosing to kill the Fireflies to protect Ellie, he essentially took away her ability to make her own decisions, a point which holds merit. In hindsight, Joel could have attempted to negotiate with them and given Ellie time to awaken and choose for herself whether she would undergo the procedure after being informed of the truth. However, it’s worth noting that the Fireflies were in a hurry and didn’t seem inclined to wait around to ask Ellie-—Marlene claims to know what Ellie would want in this situation.

From what Joel understands, Ellie isn’t aware that the process will claim her life. During their numerous discussions throughout the game about post-Fireflies plans, Ellie expresses a desire to stay with Joel. The tragic aspect is that both parties inadvertently strip Ellie of her autonomy. In the early stages of The Last of Us 2, Ellie herself criticizes Joel for this, making one of her most memorable statements. Despite saving Ellie, Joel’s deception remains a questionable action. However, it does provide Ellie with the opportunity to make her own choices moving forward.

5. The Fireflies Aren’t Heroes

They’re Just Another Violent Group Vying For Power

Initially, in “The Last of Us,” the Fireflies are portrayed as rebels challenging the oppressive and militaristic FEDRA regime. However, as the game unfolds, it becomes evident that the Fireflies aren’t simply heroes; they exhibit complex moral behaviors, capable of committing atrocities much like FEDRA. This moral grayness is a significant factor contributing to “The Last of Us” having one of the most compelling stories in PlayStation exclusives.

At the start of the game, players observe characters performing actions that might be labeled as violent, terroristic acts against isolated zones meant for quarantine, potentially endangering innocent lives. These characters also establish martial law within their own territories and are prepared to use lethal force against anyone who threatens them. As Joel and Ellie arrive at the hospital, these individuals have transformed into fanatics, ready to sacrifice an innocent child for their goals. Instead of acting selflessly, they seem more inclined to weaponize any potential cure for a virus and employ it as a tool for power struggles against FEDRA and other opposing forces. The way the group interacts with Joel after reaching the hospital makes him fully grasp their true character.

4. Joel Has Already Loved And Lost

He’s Only Following His Nature As A Father

Following the demise of his daughter Sarah in the game’s introduction, Joel transformed from a doting father into a guarded, jaded, and merciless outlaw primarily concerned with self-preservation. Over time, his journey with Ellie began to unveil Joel’s underlying character – beneath the tough exterior, he remains a loving parent at heart. This aspect of Joel’s personality is consistent in the series, which introduced some modifications to Joel but preserved his fundamental character traits.

In the winter segment of the story, Joel refers to Ellie as “little girl,” much like how he addressed his own daughter. During the flashback scene set at the university, Joel expresses his fear of losing someone dear once more to Tommy. When Joel takes a critical action at the hospital, it’s not merely a self-centered choice; instead, it reflects his innate role as a father, which is to safeguard his child. This is echoed by the game’s creative director who stated, “For me, he did the right thing,” and “As a parent, I would want to do what Joel did in that situation.

3. A Vaccine Probably Wouldn’t Do Much Good

Stopping The Cordyceps Fungus Would Probably Be Too Little, Too Late

Hypothetically speaking, if we assume that the process succeeded and Ellie’s demise resulted in Fireflies’ medical team developing a vaccine, let’s also imagine that Fireflies, despite their initial appearances, proved to be selfless at heart and chose to distribute the vaccine globally. However, even if this were true, the world is grappling with far greater challenges than just a pandemic. This game, one of the finest post-apocalyptic titles ever created, requires more than a cure to heal its devastated landscape.

Joel has witnessed enough of the world in The Last of Us to question the effectiveness of a vaccine. There are no functioning governments, no reliable supply chains, and no operational communication networks. Instead, there are infected individuals wandering the streets, as well as cannibalistic gangs and dangerous groups of raiders. Essentially, society collapsed years ago. A vaccine might be too insignificant, too late; the Cordyceps is barely one of humanity’s problems compared to the current state of affairs, and Joel has personally experienced this.

2. This World Isn’t Worth Saving

Losing Ellie Is A Big Sacrifice To Save A Crummy World

Despite Ellie’s influence, Joel remains a doubter. Given his past experiences and the world he inhabits, it’s hard to fathom why he would strive to save humanity. The remnants of kindness in this world are scant, with even supposedly civilized groups focusing on self-preservation over altruism. David and his followers’ attempt to harm Ellie serves as a chilling reminder of this fact. In the grim landscape of “The Last of Us,” Joel is just one of many monstrous survivors.

However, instead of sacrificing his newfound daughter Ellie, as expected, Joel feels that humanity isn’t worthy of such a sacrifice after all they’ve experienced together. Given what the player witnesses during the game, this perspective is understandable.

1. Ellie Is A Good Person (At Least For Now)

In A World Of Monsters, Ellie Shines Bright

In The Last of Us, it’s no secret that genuine good-hearted individuals are hard to come by. However, Ellie stands out as the ethical core of the game. Time and again, she demonstrates empathy towards others, remains optimistic even in dire situations, and is one of the bravest characters. From comforting Sam, tending to Joel’s wounds, to making people smile, she’s a beacon of hope in a bleak world.

Opting for her in a theoretical vaccine scenario would deprive the world of what it truly yearns for—compassion. By shielding Ellie, Joel is safeguarding an innocent who may one day grow into a remarkable leader or intellectual. He’s a person who embodies kindness, even after witnessing unspeakable horrors, which makes him all the more extraordinary. The irony lies in the fact that Joel’s actions—his slaying of the medical personnel and his deception towards Ellie—directly precipitate the occurrences depicted in The Last of Us Part 2, events that present Ellie in a drastically altered light.

2025-04-20 09:46