HBO’s The Last Of Us May Confirm Heartbreaking Ellie Moment
Much like the slithering tendrils of the Cordyceps hive mind, there's seemingly no stopping HBO's The Last of Us from burrowing into our lives and making its nest. Proving its naysayers wrong, the latest episode just had a 17% jump in viewers.
As we approach the halfway point - with an early episode drop - Craig Mazin's live-action adaptation is shambling its way through the events of Naughty Dog's 2013 game. We know some of what's on the way, but now, we might've confirmed a heartbreaking fan theory.
The Last Of Us Teases Heartbreaking Ellie Theory
Way back in Episode 1, Marlene (Merle Dandridge) made a throwaway mention of "Riley," and if we didn't know Euphoria's Storm Reid was playing her, Riley's arrival might've been a surprise.
For those who aren't in the know, Riley was Ellie's best friend in the Left Behind DLC. Set before the events of the main game, Ellie and Riley holed up in an abandoned mall - which is something Bella Ramsey's live-action version has already alluded to.
HBO's Ellie told Tess (Anna Torv) that she was bitten while alone in the mall, but we always guessed this wasn't the case.
In Episode 4, Ellie saved the life of Joel (Pedro Pascal) by shooting an attacker. When Joel grilled her on whether it was tough using a gun on someone, she said it wasn't the first time... with a glass-eyed expression.
Later in the same episode, Joel tried to push Ellie on who she had to hurt, but the young survivor refused to answer him. Putting the pieces together, fans are already reaching for their tissues in anticipation of Riley's imminent demise.
It's not too much of a reach to imagine both girls are bitten in the mall, and while Ellie survives due to her immunity, she'll have to put a bullet in Riley. This is even more tragic because the pair had something of a romantic relationship in the game.
What Happens To Riley In The Last Of Us?
Details surrounding what actually happened to Riley are up for interpretation. The game claims she actually died from the Cordyceps infection. It's not true that everyone who is bitten turns - some simply die when the infection reaches their brain.
Responding to the theory, one distraught viewer wrote, "I can't watch Ellie kill Riley, I really can't." Another added, "Can't believe we got confirmation that Ellie had to kill Riley, what about my mental health," while a third asked, "Did Ellie kill Riley before she turned? Or after?"
Seeing Riley having to make the tough choice to put Riley out of her misery is sure to be one for the ages. It'll also make up for a cut backstory that we never saw for Tess. Will this show ever give us a break?
Like the critically acclaimed third episode, there are whispers Episode 7 will be another flashback one. This time, we're supposedly going to witness the Left Behind story, meet Riley, and learn how Ellie was bitten but survived.
We know Mazin's series has made some swings away from the source material, but unless he goes full House of the Dragon to save Riley from her dismal fate, we imagine the Left Behind chapter will play out pretty similar to the game. RIP Riley, we hardly knew ye.
