Was Ellie the Only Immune in The Last of Us?
The Last of Us is a critically acclaimed video game series that explores a post-apocalyptic world where a deadly fungus, Cordyceps, has spread globally, infecting most of humanity. The series follows the story of Ellie, a young girl who is immune to the Cordyceps virus, and her escort, Joel, as they navigate through a treacherous world. In this article, we’ll explore whether Ellie is the only immune in the Last of Us universe.
Background: The Cordyceps Virus
The Cordyceps fungus is a parasitic fungus that grows inside the brains of its hosts, manipulating their behavior to spread its spores. Once infected, humans become zombies, known as "Infected" or "Runners." Humans are initially unaware of the infection, but eventually, the fungus grows, and the Infected lose their humanity, becoming aggressive, and eventually, turn into a "Clicker." Only a few people, like Ellie, have a natural immunity to the Cordyceps virus.
Is Joel Not Infected?
One question raised by fans is whether Joel was ever infected with the Cordyceps virus. Joel says that he was exposed to infected pancakes and cake in the series’ pilot episode, but he was too quick to be infected. Although Joel wasn’t infected initially, it’s still unknown whether he developed immunity to the virus or not.
What Made Ellie Immune?
It’s still unclear what caused Ellie to be immune to the Cordyceps virus. Her father, Joel, discovered that she was immune shortly after she was born. Joel tried to understand the reasons behind Ellie’s immunity but couldn’t find any scientific explanations. It’s also important to note that Ellie’s immunity is not unique to her; other characters, like Riley, have also shown resistance to the virus.
Other Characters and Their Immunity
Riley, a character in the first game, was infected but never showed any symptoms, suggesting she was also immune. Although Joel’s fate was different, it’s unclear if he was ever infected or remained immune throughout the series. Abby, Joel’s killer, was not mentioned to have immunity, implying she could be infected or not.
| Character | Immunity Status |
|---|---|
| Ellie | Immune |
| Riley | Presumably Immune |
| Joel | Unclear (not infected initially, but uncertain about later development) |
| Abby | Unclear (not mentioned having immunity) |
What This Means for the Story
If Ellie is the only immune character, her existence poses a significant problem. With the Cordyceps virus spreading rapidly, it seems impossible for humanity to recover if only one person is immune. Alternatively, if other characters, like Riley, are also immune, the outlook for humanity might be slightly better. However, the question still remains: what caused these immune individuals, and can the fungus be eradicated or studied for a cure?
The Search for a Cure
Throughout the series, scientists, like Marlene and Dr. Ulysses, have been trying to develop a cure for the Cordyceps virus. Their efforts have been focused on Ellie, as she’s the most promising lead for a potential vaccine. The Firefly Laboratory, led by Dr. Alexander Ulysses, experimented on infected hosts to develop a cure. Joel, by killing the surgeon, inadvertently ensured that Ellie’s immunity remained the last hope for humanity.
Conclusion
While Ellie is the most prominent immune individual in the Last of Us universe, there may be other immune characters, like Riley. Joel’s status, both initially and later in the series, is unclear, and Abby’s immunity remains a mystery. The search for a cure for the Cordyceps virus is an ongoing theme throughout the series, and it’s possible that Ellie’s immunity may hold the key to humanity’s recovery or survival.