While officially unconfirmed, fervent speculation surrounds Ellie’s potential role in a hypothetical third season of “The Last of Us.” Given the current trajectory of the HBO adaptation, which has closely followed the narrative structure of the games, a Season 3 would likely draw heavily from the events of “The Last of Us Part II,” a game that focuses heavily on Ellie’s journey and transformation.
In “The Last of Us Part II,” five years have passed since the events of the first game. Ellie, now nineteen, is living in Jackson, Wyoming, with Joel and a thriving community. This supposed idyllic existence is shattered when a traumatic event upends everything. Joel is brutally murdered by a group led by Abby Anderson, a woman seeking revenge for Joel’s actions in the first game.
Driven by vengeance, Ellie embarks on a grueling and emotionally devastating quest to track down and kill Abby. This journey takes her and Dina, her girlfriend, across the ravaged landscapes of the former United States to Seattle, now a warzone between the Washington Liberation Front (WLF) and the Seraphites (Scars). The potential Season 3 would likely depict the graphic violence and morally grey areas of this revenge mission, forcing viewers to confront the consequences of their choices alongside Ellie.
The adaptation would likely explore the profound psychological toll of Ellie’s actions. Witnessing the brutal realities of the world and driven by a desire for retribution, she becomes increasingly ruthless and detached. She struggles with PTSD and the emotional burden of her actions, highlighting the cyclical nature of violence and its impact on the human psyche. The adaptation may also expand upon her relationships with Dina, Jesse, and Tommy, delving deeper into the complexities of their support and their own struggles amidst the chaos.
Furthermore, a Season 3 would likely intertwine Ellie’s perspective with Abby’s, offering viewers a broader understanding of Abby’s motivations and experiences. This parallel narrative structure allows for a more nuanced exploration of the themes of justice, forgiveness, and the subjective nature of good and evil. Ultimately, Ellie’s journey in a potential third season would be one of profound loss, moral compromise, and the search for meaning in a world ravaged by infection and human cruelty. It is a story of how revenge consumes and changes an individual, potentially leaving them more lost than they were before. The central question would likely revolve around whether Ellie can ultimately break the cycle of violence and find a path towards healing and redemption.