The Last of Us is arguably one of the greatest stories ever told in gaming and television. The game developers didn’t want to make another game about the apocalypse. Still, they made a compelling story about love and humanity, which justified the heinous actions of Joel Miller that later became the catalyst of the controversial sequel.
The original game was released a decade ago and the gaming community is still divided about what you were forced to do in the name of love. Despite the moral dilemma, some fans have yet to come to terms with what Joel did, but the original creator has set the record straight and shared his thoughts about that moment.
The Last of Us Director Thinks Joel Was Right to Save Ellie
If you have spent the last few years hiding under a rock or somehow missed the universally praised live-action adaptation, Joel went on a murder spree to save Ellie in The Last of Us Part I. Fans have spent years debating and arguing whether what Joel did was right. Director Neil Druckmann finally shared his thoughts about the subject, and his answer directly contradicts his co-creator, Craig Mazin.
I believe Joel was right
It is unsurprising since Druckmann viewed Joel’s actions as a father and not a hardened survivor with the opportunity to restore order to a broken world. Joel went through hell and back to guide Ellie across America in the first game and their relationship restored his humanity, which he values more than the chance to save the world from the Cordyceps virus.
If I were in Joel’s position, I hope I would be able to do what he did to save my daughter.
While Joel’s intentions were good, his methods could have been less violent. Joel can do unspeakable things and shows no signs of remorse, which is a testament to his love for Ellie and ultimately leads to his untimely demise in the sequel. On the other hand, Mazin agrees with Druckmann’s sentiments but doesn’t think he could do the same.
That’s so interesting, because I think that if I were in Joel’s position, I probably would have done what he did,
Mazin was intrigued by how the first game’s ending encouraged the player base to do terrible things in the name of love, but his conscience was stronger.
But I’d like to think that I wouldn’t. That’s the interesting push and pull of the morality of it. And that’s why the ending of the first game is so provocative and so wonderful. It just doesn’t let you off the hook as a player.
Regardless of Joel’s methods, his actions caused a chain reaction that spiraled out of control. Druckmann and Mazin may have different opinions, and it is exciting to see how these two creatives navigate the second season of the live-action adaptation.
Love Can Make You Do Horrible Things in The Last of Us Games
After experiencing a personal tragedy during Outbreak Day, Joel would rather commit crimes against humanity than lose a second daughter. Druckmann is a father and used that to connect with Joel, and while there could have been other ways that didn’t resort to bloodshed, it is what it is.
Joel is cold and ruthless, and the official trailer for the second season suggests he is willing to do more unspeakable things to keep the truth hidden from Ellie. Perhaps the showrunners will develop a new way to challenge the audience and longtime fans and see how they will react to more creative changes.
For more Thumb Wars Gaming coverage, check out how The Last of Us Season 2 could change a key moment from the source material, or Roger Clark’s stance on AI.
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Rouvin Josef Quirimit is a Content Writer, an avid gamer (on his PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch), and film enthusiast. He was fortunate to grow up with the Marvel Cinematic Universe and was enamored by the storytelling of a shared universe full of heart and spectacle. His love for movies led him to great single-player games and he intends to cover major franchises for years to come!
