The Last of Us Show Changed Ellie And Fans Are Furious

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As an ardent film enthusiast who adores apocalyptic tales, I must say that “The Last of Us” stands out as one of the finest stories ever crafted across video games and television. However, given its dual origins, adaptations inevitably involve alterations, not all of which resonate seamlessly. If it were a book-to-show adaptation, perhaps the response would be more favorable. But gamers are known for their candid opinions, sometimes lacking in patience. Some need more than one episode to fully appreciate the nuances.

However, I must confess that as a fan of both the games and the series, there’s one change in the latest episode that has left me puzzled.

I tend to lean towards apocalyptic genres due to the diverse perspectives authors offer on how humanity responds to societal collapse. Particularly, I’m drawn to stories featuring anti-heroes as protagonists, as they present a challenging and intriguing exploration of their moral dilemmas during their survival journey. Characters like Joel and Ellie from “The Last of Us Part I” and “Part II” are flawed individuals who make questionable decisions, but their complex motivations make them captivating. It’s the struggle to sympathize with these protagonists during their darkest moments that adds depth to their characters, which can be disappointing when a character like Ellie’s morally ambiguous side is simplified to portray her as more heroic.

Ellie’s Original Reaction Showed How Revenge Was Consuming Her

The scene under discussion occurs near the end of Season 2, Episode 4. Upon learning that her beloved won’t perish, Dina discloses she’s carrying Jesse’s child. Overwhelmed with love, they kiss and make love. Later, Ellie expresses immense happiness about the prospect of a baby, playfully stating she’ll be a father. Despite Ellie pleading for Dina to remain behind while he searches for Abby in a war zone, Dina insists they embark on this journey as a team, emphasizing their unity and shared purpose. They are partners, working together.

In contrast to her response in The Last of Us Part II, Ellie’s reaction to Dina’s pregnancy in this scenario is significantly more positive. After they both escape an attack by infected and find refuge in a theater, Dina reveals that she is pregnant. This revelation catches Ellie off guard due to their secretive journey up until this point, but what troubles her most is the impact of Dina’s pregnancy on their mission to find Abby. In a moment of cruelty, Ellie calls Dina a burden and offers an insincere apology the following morning.

As a passionate fan of “The Last of Us”, I was taken aback when Ellie called Dina a burden in this particular scene. Her words immediately cast doubt on her sincerity and moral compass. If we’re fighting against what Abby did because it was wrong, why are we causing harm to the one individual who has been instrumental in our journey? Yet, that seems to be the underlying theme of the series. The second part of “The Last of Us” isn’t about a hero rising from the ashes; instead, it’s about a character being consumed by revenge. This moment with Ellie is the first clear indication that whether she kills Abby or not, she won’t prevail in this conflict because she’s lost her way. Her single-minded pursuit of vengeance has led her to overlook the wellbeing and emotions of her loving partner, Dina.

In the show, if this particular aspect isn’t present, it suggests that I am still supportive of Ellie. However, even though I empathize with Dina’s struggles with self-worth, I find myself disagreeing with Ellie in the context of The Last of Us’ narrative. As viewers, we should question Ellie’s actions and raise concerns about her moral compass. It’s crucial that we witness Ellie acting cruelly towards someone she cares for, as this will help us comprehend the story’s message more deeply.

However, Ellie and Dina Deserve a Brief Moment of Happiness

Initially, upon my first viewing, I found the shift in the story problematic since it didn’t align with Ellie’s character development as a relentless individual destined to be solitary. Prior to the premiere, and reinforced after the finale, this was my perspective. However, upon rewatching the episode, my opinion slightly shifted. Instead of the change now fitting Ellie’s arc as planned, it began to make sense in terms of Dina’s character progression.

Moving from the game to the show, I find that Dina’s character evolution has been quite intriguing. While in the game, she was the supportive friend who found her voice only at the last moment, the Dina portrayed on the screen offers a more expansive narrative. With Ellie’s father figure gone, Dina buries her own doubts and uncertainties to stand by Ellie.

Subtle hints are scattered throughout the show suggesting that she questions her sexuality, a result of her mother’s prejudice. She grapples with feelings of inadequacy as a romantic partner to Jesse, and now as a companion to Ellie on this journey due to her pregnancy. It’s a complex portrayal that I find captivating.

Dina feels at ease and assured because Ellie is positive. The day following the revelation presents a heartwarming scene of two women in love, with one woman candidly discussing her struggles with suppressing her queerness. There’s a striking contrast between Jackson being a sanctuary and Seattle feeling like a battlefield, where it’s possible for two LGBTQ+ individuals to feel at home in their identities. This symbolizes a complex world that still has its fair share of good and bad spots, but love remains resilient.

Ellie Still Requires a Disappointing Sign of Regression

Although Ellie’s character in The Last of Us seems well-established, there’s a chance it could still evolve in unexpected ways. It might sound unusual to hope for a tale that turns its hero into an antagonist, but The Last of Us wouldn’t be as compelling if Ellie remained a perfect character who learned from her mistakes. It would be intriguing to explore both characters as two sides of the same coin, particularly in their quest for justice during harrowing moments. However, beneath this surface, they yearn for the power they lost when someone took away the one person they cherish most deeply.

In simpler terms, Ellie’s tattoo symbolizes a moth that represents her desire for revenge, which is like a beacon leading her down a destructive path, similar to how moths are attracted to fire despite its danger. Despite the pain she endures, she justifies it as serving a noble purpose. In ‘The Last of Us Part II’, I felt deeply saddened by Ellie’s predicament, even though she didn’t ask for her current situation. During the game, I often felt angry at her for discarding people who stood by her during difficult times, and I thought she didn’t deserve Dina. However, in the show, my feelings towards Ellie have shifted to love and joy, but I yearn for the complexity of emotions that ‘The Last of Us’ once evoked in me regarding Ellie. I hope the series will again make me feel conflicted about her character as it did with the minor change in the storyline.

New episodes of The Last of Us premiere every Sunday at 9 PM ET on HBO.

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2025-05-06 02:23