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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Gradine" data-source="post: 8963365" data-attributes="member: 57112">I think there's a lot more nuance to the decision than just "Joel choosing Ellie over humanity".In the game it's a lot more ambiguous as to whether their surgery on Ellie is going to work or not. It might reveal something that might lead to a cure. There's definitely a sense of hope there, but it's a lot less clear cut than "We have a doctor ready to synthesize a cure here."And there's more. First... is this necessary to save humanity? Sure, FEDRA's borking things up left and right, but you've got a flourishing commune in Wyoming that's doing just fine, to say nothing of the show's addition of the Due North reunion and their rendition of Frank and Bill living a rich full life. Cordyceps is dangerous and destructive, but life has moved on. Yes, it would help people, and yes, Ellie would 100% do it, but the question of "Is it worth it?" is a worthy one; especially since they didn't actually give Ellie the choice. It's the trolley problem, which is a moral quandary for a reason.And there's more. More importantly... is saving humanity good? One of the most incredible and unique things The Last of Us did as a post-apocalyptic game? Color. Most post-apocalytpic games are awash in browns and greys. The Last of Us, meanwhile, is green. Verdant, beautiful nature overtaking destructive cities. The giraffes aren't just there for the cute moment (or to give lifelong nightmares because you never knew giraffe tongues did that). Humanity isn't doing so hot, but the Earth? It's doing just fine. Great, even. And most of the humans that are surviving aren't exactly... great, you know? Raiders? Cannibals? The Committee for Public Safety Kansas City Edition? Hell, Joel? In the end, as a parent of a young daughter myself, it was an easy to sympathize with the choice. Spoilers for the sequel:[SPOILER="Seriously, These are Spoilers"]Then the second game comes along and is like "Did you know an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind? Bet you never heard that one before. Bet you thought we were gonna be like 'Yeah revenge is cool actually.' Well you're wrong. We're so clever."[/SPOILER]</blockquote>

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