The Last of Us episode 1 ending explained: What does [SPOILER] mean?

The Last of Us’ series premiere left audiences with a lot to think about. What does it all mean?

The Last of Us finally made its long-awaited premiere on HBO and HBO Max this week with an extra-long thriller of a first episode. Not that there were any doubts given the cast, source material, and cable network that the show was on, but it quickly dispelled those concerns about whether it would fall victim to the video game adaptation curse that has befallen so many attempts to bring video games to the TV and movie screens.

In that premiere episode, titled “When You’re Lost In The Darkness”, we met Joel, a survivor of the deadly zombie apocalypse that has run its way through the world in a 20-year period. We also met Ellie, a young woman attempting to run from something with a survival instinct of her own and more witty comebacks than anyone in an apocalypse should have.

If you played the video game, you’ll already know all about these characters. If you didn’t, then you probably have questions. And on that note, The Last of Us episode 1 left us in need of some answers, so let’s dive into the ending of the episode and look at what it means for the HBO show.

*** This article contains major spoilers from The Last of Us episode 1. Do not read on if you haven’t seen the episode and don’t want it spoiled for you. ***

What happened to Ellie in The Last of Us?

The premiere episode of The Last of Us was very much concerned with what happened to the mysterious Ellie. Taken prisoner by the Fireflies after escaping from FEDRA, she was told that she held a greater purpose than anyone else living in the dystopian world. While we weren’t outright told what that purpose was, the pieces soon fell into place.

In the episode’s closing moments, Ellie, Joel, and Tess were caught during their attempt to break out of the FEDRA compound by a guard, who insisted that he check to see if they were infected. Joel and Tess passed the test, with the device giving them the green light. However, the light glowed red for Ellie, suggesting that she was infected by the fungi that turned people into the walking dead. Ellie, however, showed Joel and Tess her scar from the bite, claiming that she had been bitten three weeks ago and did not turn.

It appears that Ellie is immune to whatever type of fungi is ravaging humanity and that means that she could be the cure to stopping it. Remember how the doctor in the beginning said mankind would lose without a way to fight the infection? Well, Ellie is the key, and that explains why the Fireflies abandoned their mission to rebel and tried to get her to safety instead.

Can Joel and Tess do what Marlene asked and save Ellie?

What is the song that plays in the end of The Last of Us episode 1?

Right as Joel, Ellie, and Tess headed out into the dangers of the city, the premiere episode cut back to the apartment they left and the radio came on. The song that played on the radio was “Never Let Me Down Again” by Depeche Mode.

We learned earlier in the episode that the decades of each song that played on Joel’s radio signified a different message. “Never Let Me Down Again” was released in 1987. As Ellie cleverly deduced, ’80s means trouble. And given that Joel, Tess, and Ellie are on their way into the dead city, that feels appropriate.

What did you think of The Last of Us‘ season premiere? Will you be tuning back in for episode 2? Let us know in the comments below!