The Last Of Us showrunner Craig Mazin has defended the controversial ending of the first season.
The show’s first season ended with the Look For The Light episode, which aired in the UK today, March 13, and in the US yesterday (March 12). HBO renewed the series for a second season back in January.
The first season ended at the exact same point as the original video game. In the episode, Joel decides to save Ellie from the Fireflies, who want to operate on her in hopes of producing a vaccine against the infection, with the caveat that she will be killed.
After interrupting the operation, killing Marlene (Merle Dandridge) and rescuing an unconscious Ellie, Joel lies to her about what really happened. Instead, Joel tells Ellie that the Fireflies have found other untouchables like her and have been unable to create a cure for them. After Ellie asks again, Joel insists that this version of events is true.
While the episode was praised by many, some felt it was “rushed” and “disappointing” and disagreed with Joel’s decision, despite it being the same as the video game.
The finale of “The Last of Us…”, hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm…
— Kayla Braxton (@KaylaBraxtonWWE) March 13, 2023
The Last of Us skipped too much action and character development for the ending to stick.
— L., MA (@leslieleeiii) March 13, 2023
man why did our last show end so abruptly hi ??? looks like there should be another episode
— secret number booster (@joshuaIover) March 13, 2023
But showrunner Mazin defended the ending, telling The Hollywood Reporter: “When you love something unconditionally, logic goes out the window and you’ll do really horrible things to protect those you love. And there are many examples around the world where this happens all the time.”
He continued.[There’s] the greater and greater sacrifices Joel must make for Ellie, as well as the things he does to protect her.
“I’m morally confused about it. I think it’s a tough choice. I go back and forth. I think a lot of people will go back and forth.”
The Last Of Us is available on HBO Max in the US and NOW in the UK.