The Last of Us giraffe scene could be coming soon (and we’re not ready for it)

The Last of Us giraffe scene is one of the most beautiful and emotional scenes in the video game, and it could very well be coming in the season 1 finale of the HBO adaptation. 

When The Last of Us game first arrived, it was quickly praised for its storytelling, character development, and gameplay mechanics, with many considering it to be one of the best video games ever made.

For this reason, it was no shock when the game spawned a sequel, The Last of Us Part II, which was released in 2020 and continued the story of Joel and Ellie.

Both games have been praised for their emotional depth, intense gameplay, and stunning graphics. They have become cultural touchstones in the gaming industry, showcasing the power of video games to tell compelling stories and provide immersive experiences. So it was only a matter of time before the game was adapted for either television or movies. Thankfully, it was HBO who opted to adapt the series and they’ve been doing a masterful job of doing so across the show’s first season thus far.

Like in the game, The Last of Us takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where the majority of humanity has been infected by a fungus that turns people into zombie-like creatures, following Joel, a smuggler tasked with escorting a young girl named Ellie across the country, with the hope of finding a cure for the infection.

Already across the show’s first episodes, fans have gotten the chance to see several key moments from the game play out on their screen with the show staying true to the scenes that define the game. So it’s likely of little surprise that, with the season nearing its end, fans are beginning to question what video game scenes might be adapted for the show before season 1 ends.

Among the scenes many fans seem eager to see adapted is The Last of Us giraffe scene which was a major moment in the video game.

The Last of Us giraffe scene explained

Before the final act in The Last of Us video game, Ellie is shaken by an encounter with a man named David … and his group of cannibals. That’s right, we said cannibals. Without going too deep into the spoilers from the encounter, let’s just say it’s one that is quite traumatizing for Ellie and creates some serious doubts about her journey wondering if her immunity to the Cordyceps fungus is actually the answer to finding a cure.

Just when Ellie is nearing her lowest, she encounters a scene unlike anything she’s ever seen: a herd of wild giraffes wandering through Salt Lake City. As it turns out, giraffes have begun migrating through the city as a sign of nature persisting.

The encounter manages to help reignite the spark of hope within Ellie, and Joel as well, as the pair are able to take a moment to enjoy the beauty around them as they get up close with the giraffes and take a moment to pause and watch them make their way through the city. It’s a rare moment in the game when players can choose to watch the giraffes for as long as possible, giving them a break from the chaos around them just as Ellie and Joel do in the game.

It’s a moment that essentially shows how life goes on without humanity and also is used to essentially reinvigorate Ellie and Joel. It gives them the chance to begin thinking about their lives after their journey is complete and how they might be able to continue their lives just as the giraffes have found a way to. It also gives Ellie a much-needed jolt to continue their journey heading into the game’s final act.

When could The Last of Us giraffe scene happen in The Last of Us season 1?

Considering how closely The Last of Us season 1 has followed the narrative of the first game in the franchise, it seems highly likely it will find a way to incorporate the giraffe scene before the show’s first season comes to a close. The question among fans is when exactly that might be.

Given The Last of Us giraffe scene unfolds just before the final act in the game, it would seem likely that HBO’s adaptation could adapt the scene in either episode 8 or episode 9 depending on how the timing unfolds in the episode.

The scene could be a perfect way to end the penultimate episode of season 1 as a way to give viewers time to pause before the finale similar to how the game used the scene to give players a break before the final act. It could also be a great way to end the episode on an uplifting note ahead of the finale which is sure to be intense.

It’s also possible the giraffe scene could unfold in the finale, perhaps in the early part of the episode before the final act plays out setting up the final act of season 1. After all, in the game, the scene helps Ellie and Joel reflect and recharge before soldiering through the events that unfold after.

While we’ll have to wait to see when the giraffe scene could come, the one thing we know for certain is that we’ll be absolutely shocked if HBO were to exclude the scene given how impactful it was to players of the game.

Are you hoping to see HBO’s The Last of Us adapt the giraffe scene before the show’s first season comes to a close? When would you like to see The Last of Us giraffe scene air in the show and are you hoping the show will indeed adapt the scene? Share your thoughts in the comments!