After she appeared in the HBO version, Naughty Dog revealed Ellie’s mom had been planned to appear in DLC forThe Last of Us, and it’s arguable that this was the best-case scenario. It preserved the game’s story structure while still adding to the TV series. Since its debut, HBO’sThe Last of Ushas demonstrated its appreciation for the source material with its accuracy and shot-for-shot recreations of certain scenes, but it has also broken away from these same sources to add its own flair and creativity, evidenced byBill and Frank’s radical yet well-received changes. Among these, somewhat controversially, is Ellie’s mother Anna.
Though Anna has been mentioned acrossThe Last of Us, its associated comic miniseries, and again in the game’sLeft BehindDLC, it was news to fans that Ellie’s mom could have appeared in her own DLC as confirmed by series creator Neil Druckmann. But while the HBO adaptation can use its format to better explore this untapped lore, the fact that Anna’s DLC was ultimately scrapped was likely the best decision for the game itself. After all, the relationship developed between Joel and Ellie, Ellie’s own characterization, and their overall narrative arcs all work best when Anna is kept out of the picture.
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The Last of Us Works Best with Ellie Isolated
Whether it’s her inability to swim or dialogue showcasing her naivety about everything from ice cream trucks to dieting, there aresmall moments between Joel and Ellie throughoutThe Last of Usthat both build their relationships but ultimately drive home the differences between them. With Joel painfully aware of life before the Outbreak and Ellie only knowing how to survive alongside the Infected, it’s made clear how alien Ellie’s life has been. In doing so, she is not only isolated from the likes of Joel but also the player, who likewise has no concept of what a post-apocalypse upbringing could be like for a lone orphan.
This characterization is vital for Ellie, as she highlights the game’s key themes and ideas, with examples ranging from the absurd parts of modern life to the luxuries and comforts which are taken for granted. However, whileEllie gradually learns about the world through Joeland thus builds their relationship, her sense of disconnection, isolation, and frustration is a huge factor behind her character arc inThe Last of Us,something best demonstrated during their ranch argument. Therefore, if Ellie’s mom had appeared in DLC and built a proxy relationship with Ellie via her pregnancy, then the weight of this characterization would be severely undercut.
Exploring Ellie’s Mom Through The Show Works Best
In terms of source material,The Last of UsTV show already has a strong outline for the kind of story it could tell with Ellie’s mom. Between the games and the comics, it’s understood that Anna became pregnant after the Outbreak and died shortly after giving birth, entrusting Ellie to Marlene due to their prior friendship. Already though, the TV series has augmented certain parts ofEllie and Marlene’s relationshipand even blends in parts of the game’sLeft BehindDLC with a reference to Riley. As a result, HBO’sThe Last of Uscould tell a significantly different origin behind Ellie and her mother.
However, while providing viewers with insight into Ellie’s birth and her mother, TV’s more flexible format compared to the rigidity of gameplay could ensure this backstory doesn’t detract from the main plot or from Joel and Ellie’s relationship. In fact, it could better inform the audience’s perspective on the pains ofThe Last of Us' post-apocalypse, where Ellie’s birth and motherly love will inevitably be cut short to deliver a stark, bittersweet message akin toBill and Frank’sRomeo and Juliet-like tragedy. So whereThe Last of Uscouldn’t explore Ellie’s mom through DLC, the TV series can in its stead.
The Last of Us Part 1is available now on PS5.
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