#which isn't there to justify these characters' actions or soften any blows

[mod2amaryllis]

so, and i know this will spoil for most newbies so u can private, is the fact that the ending will be loved or hated cause joel keeps them from using ellie's brain? (i had that spoiled ages ago, i just still havent played yet lol) I just can't remember if that's the END end or just some part of it i saw

answering publicly with a spoiler tag cuz i don't really mind spoiling a game from ten years ago: yes I'm referring to joel preventing the fireflies from making a vaccine from ellie's brain and killing most of them in the process.

this ending has always been so great to me because it's just like. the absolute worst thing he could've done. on every level. not only because he prevented a vaccine that could literally save the world AND killed the only people who knew how to make it, but because ellie didn't get any input at all. we know she would've agreed to it. joel does too, that's why when she wakes up, he lies about what happened. IT'S SO BAD, IT'S SO SELFISH.

and!!! it's the only ending that makes sense for his character. it's such utter tragedy disguising itself behind the fact that they both live and make better lives together. it's not a happy or sad ending but a secret fucked up third thing.