The Last of Us Just Revealed Ellie’s Fate

by

In a different phrasing, Catherine O’Hara’s character Gail in The Last of Us might come across as a personal “complete mess,” but after four decades on the job as Jackson, Wyoming’s sole psychotherapist, it’s clear that she has her professional life well-organized. She is intuitive, clear, direct, and seems to perceive things that others do not. Gail appears to have an uncanny understanding of people. As a result, when she speaks, her words hold more than just authority; they carry a sense of finality. This is why her brief conversation with Tommy during a kid’s baseball game was one of the most unsettling scenes in The Last of Us. What she said is as ominous for the show as it is for us viewers.

In the absence of Joel, Tommy finds himself taking care of Ellie. This isn’t an easy task even in ideal conditions, but it’s become more challenging than ever before. In episode three of “The Last of Us” season two, titled “The Path,” Tommy turned to Gail for assistance after the commune refused Ellie’s proposition. “I’m worried she might do something reckless,” he expressed his concern.

Once more, Gail demonstrated her intelligence by exposing Ellie as a deceiver during her town meeting speech. Both parties were aware that Ellie wasn’t truthful in her words. However, it seemed Ellie didn’t lie often; she might have told the truth to only one person, and he happens to be… Gail revealed this information, leading us to believe her as usual. What followed next was particularly chilling, transforming the peaceful baseball setting into something reminiscent of a scene from The Last of Us.

Tommy expressed his concern, stating, “I simply don’t want her following in Joel’s footsteps. I see nothing more than retaliation when he makes excuses.” Ellie, whether we share her sentiment or not, has a compelling motivation for pursuing Abby. After all, it was she and her group who brutally killed Joel. Seeking revenge, Ellie and Dina swiftly made their way to Seattle to find her target.

Similar to Dina, we could predict Ellie’s actions immediately after the council turned down her proposal. With four decades as a psychotherapist, one wouldn’t necessarily need to understand her better. However, Gail’s chilling proposition at that baseball game suggests that Ellie didn’t have the option to choose. Her fate was set in stone the day she was born. The terrifying aspect of Gail’s explanation transcends the boundaries of “The Last of Us”.

It seems you’re pondering if she could have acquired that behavior from him? However, upbringing (nurture) has its limits. The rest is innate traits (nature). If she’s on a path, it wasn’t one paved by Joel. No, I believe they were walking together right from the start. Tommy, I understand your feelings towards her and wanting to protect her. As a psychotherapist with 40 years of experience, let me tell you: some individuals…some individuals are beyond saving.

Some individuals seem beyond redemption, a fact that’s hard to accept but may hold some truth. What makes this notion particularly chilling is the reason behind it. According to Gail, certain people’s inherent nature prevents them from being saved. This is due to who they have been since their inception and will continue to be throughout their lives. She suggests that these individuals are destined to follow a path of self-destruction.

It’s natural for us to believe that we have control over our lives and that the decisions we make are solely ours. We also hope that we can protect and guide those dear to us towards a better life. However, it might not always be the case. Some people may be destined for self-destruction, and even if we’re fortunate enough to avoid such a fate, we may still be powerless as we witness their downward spiral from which they may never recover.

Raiders and a beast from fungi seem more manageable compared to them. We stand a chance fighting them. However, when it comes to destiny, be it ours or others’, there’s little we can control.

As Ellie heads towards Seattle with a vengeful intent on “The Last of Us”, Gail’s words take on a prophetic, sorrowful tone rather than a medical prognosis. This moment alone makes the baseball game one of the show’s most nerve-wracking scenes. However, it’s the implications of Jackson’s wisest resident’s words that truly send shivers down our spines, hinting at what lies ahead for everyone.

Mikey Walsh serves as a staff writer at TopMob, but he’s starting to worry that his diet consists of too many cheeseburgers. You can keep up with him on Bluesky at @burgermike, and he’s also known for ranking the Targaryen kings.

As a staff writer at TopMob, Mikey Walsh is concerned that his diet may be too cheeseburger-heavy. Find him on Bluesky at @burgermike or wherever people are evaluating the Targaryen rulers.

Read More

2025-04-28 19:07