The Last Of Us 2: 10 Believable Plot Theories You Need To Know
2. Joel And Ellie Are On Bad Terms
One of the most heartfelt elements of an otherwise brutal and unforgiving story in the original was Joel and Ellie’s relationship. Ellie found the paternal figure she needed, and Joel the daughter he lost so long ago.
However, this is The Last of Us, and no one stays happy for too long. Evidence through the various trailers suggests that their relationship is rocky at best - at least in the early hours of the game.
Off to the side of a fairy-lit dance, featured in the gameplay reveal, a conversation between Ellie and newcomer Jessie suggests that Joel may be an outsider in Tommy’s community.
Said to only get involved when Ellie is due out for patrol, paired with the embarrassed and uncomfortable reaction from Ellie, it seems Joel clings to the guardian role from a distance. This is only further confirmed when it's Tommy who shows up to dissuade Ellie as she prepares for her quest of revenge.
Then partnered with the eventual reveal of Joel in the most recent trailer, in which Ellie gives an unimpressed reaction to his surprise appearance, it seems the two aren’t the happy surrogate family they had hoped they would be.
The previous game focused on the building of their relationship, and this game may well tear it down.