The last of us Showrunner Craig Mazin defended the controversial ending to the first season.
The first season of the show ended with the episode look for the lightwhich aired in the UK today March 13 and in the US yesterday (March 12). HBO renewed the series for a second season back in January.
The first season ended at exactly the same point as the original video game. In the episode, Joel decides to save Ellie from the fireflies, who want to operate on her in hopes of producing a vaccine against the infection – with the caveat that she will be killed.
After aborting the operation, killing Marlene (Merle Dandridge), and rescuing Ellie in an unconscious state, Joel lies to her about what really happened. Instead, Joel tells Ellie that the Fireflies found other immune people like her and failed to create a cure from them. After Ellie asks again, Joel insists that this version of events is true.
Although the episode was praised by many people, some felt it was “rushed” and “disappointing”, and disagreed with Joel’s decision, despite being the same as the video game.
The finale of “The Last of Us…” ummm – anyone else a little disappointed?
— Kayla Braxton (@KaylaBraxtonWWE) March 13, 2023
The Last of Us skipped too much action and character development to stick to the ending.
— L., MA (@leslieleeiii) March 13, 2023
man why did the last of us end so abruptly hello??? looks like there should be another episode
— secret number promoter (@joshuaIover) March 13, 2023
But showrunner Mazin defended the ending, saying The Hollywood Reporter: “When you love something unconditionally, logic goes out the window and you’ll do some truly awful things to protect those you love. And there are plenty of examples around the world where this happens all the time.
He continued: “[There’s] the ever-increasing sacrifices Joel has to make for Ellie, and likewise what she goes through to protect him.
“I am confused about this morally. I think it’s a tough choice. I go back and forth. I think a lot of people will go back and forth on that.
The last of us is available to stream on HBO Max in the US and NOW in the UK.