Warning - This article delves deep into some of the main plot points of The Last of Us.Thanks to the multiple trailers and promotional materials released by Naughty Dog prior to The Last of Us's initial 2013 launch, people were already expecting Joel and Ellie to be the center of the studios' then newest IP. These two characters, brought together by a string of unlikely events, have to work together to survive a post-apocalyptic world inhabited by the Infected and desperate survivors. Along the way, Joel and Ellie have to make decisions that will put their humanity and relationship with each other to the test.
While the majority of The Last of Us takes place after the apocalypse, the beginning of the first game takes place as said apocalypse is happening. Instead of controlling Joel or Ellie, players are introduced to Joel's daughter Sarah. While she isn't present for most of the game, Sarah has a profound impact on the two protagonists as they grow, change, and perceive each other.
Her Father's Daughter
Players can deduce a lot about Sarah from The Last of Us's first few scenes. Like most teenagers, Sarah is rebellious. She stays up past her bedtime to greet her father a happy birthday, she loves listening to music Joel hates (as evidenced by her letter to him on his birthday card), and she constantly talks back to Joel. Despite her rebellious nature, Sarah is found to be a caring and loving person, especially toward her immediate family. She is particularly fond of Joel - who raised her as a single parent once he and Sarah's mother parted ways - and Tommy - who spent a lot of time with Joel and Sarah as the latter was growing up.
Likewise, Joel also cares deeply about Sarah. Because she is his daughter, Joel goes to many lengths to help and protect Sarah. Joel raised her himself pre-apocalypse and can also be seen protecting her from Infected once the outbreak occurs. Players see Joel in a completely different light when he is with Sarah. He cracks jokes, cares about the people around him, and generally acts how a father should.
A Father's Mourning
This all changes when Sarah is killed in the game's prologue. With his daughter gone, Joel breaks down and loses a part of himself. He becomes cold, bitter, and ruthless - traits that become magnified due to the ongoing apocalypse. It is hinted that prior to The Last of Us' main story, Joel and Tommy did unspeakable things in order to survive (they may have even been Hunters - cruel survivors who extort others out of their belongings and more). After the loss of his closest relative, Joel doesn't let people get too close to him for fear of the pain of losing them. This includes people like Bill and Tess - companions of Joel who are supposed to be closest to him.
The Wildcard That Is Ellie
When Joel and Ellie first meet, they immediately dislike each other. Joel sees Ellie as a burden who doesn't know how to survive outside the Boston quarantine zone. Meanwhile, Ellie sees Joel as a grump who doesn't trust her with anything. This animosity between the two continues until they reach the Capitol Building in Boston, where Tess forces Joel to carry her dying wish to deliver Ellie to his brother, Tommy. And so begins the pair's journey across the post-apocalyptic United States.
This lengthy journey causes the two to bond and become closer to each other. Joel begins to trust Ellie and gives her important tasks such as killing Infected or finding paths through obstacles. Likewise, Ellie teaches Joel that there is more to life than just surviving. As their relationship deepens and matures, players get a sense that Ellie is doing for Joel what Sarah would have done had she survived. Her rebellious yet caring nature is similar to Sarah's and keeps Joel grounded amidst all the horrifying things that are going on.
All this comes to a head in a confrontation between Joel and Ellie in a cabin in Jackson. Joel, his goal completed, wants to part ways with Ellie for fear of getting too close to her and getting her killed. Ellie, furious at Joel for his impulsive decision, reprimands him and tells him that she isn't his daughter. This makes Joel realize that even though Sarah may be gone, he may get a second chance with Ellie. This prompts him to take back his decision and become Ellie's ward once more as they try to find the Fireflies.
A Bond Reforged
From then on, Joel tries his best to make sure Ellie gets the life Sarah deserved. He starts talking more openly to Ellie about things that have nothing to do with survival (his old dream of becoming a singer being one of them). He even goes out of his way to save her multiple times. This is especially evident in St. Mary's hospital, where Joel makes the difficult decision to prioritize Ellie's well-being over the rest of humanity. By the end of the first game, Ellie has most definitely filled the gap in Joel's life that was left by Sarah.
There is a lot to be said about Joel and Ellie's relationship; some of it continuing to the events of The Last of Us Part 2. But the general outline of their relationship concerning Sarah is firmly established in the first game. Joel, who witnessed the death of his real daughter, becomes cold and stoic to those around him. Ellie, who has watched everyone she ever cared about die or leave her (save for Joel), retains her sense of humanity and optimism. Ellie's personality and youthfulness thankfully outshine Joel's grim outlook on life, giving him a reason to keep on living. The world of The Last of Us is extremely bleak, but relationships such as these provide sparks of hope that make trudging through the experience worthwhile.
The Last of Us Part 1 launches September 2 on PS5. A PC version is in development.