The Last of Us Episode 1 was certainly an impressive start for the new HBO series. The 77-minute premiere managed to explain the dangers of cordyceps evolution (and global warming), establish Joel's backstory, and confirm why Ellie is so special. Interestingly, it also added something that was not featured in the Naughty Dog video game, and it gave the episode an emotional moment in the final minutes.
In the latter part of The Last of Us Episode 1, Joel and Tess grudgingly agree to smuggle Ellie out of the Quarantine Zone. But as they emerge on the other side, they are caught by the soldier Joel sold drugs to earlier in the episode. When the soldier tries to check if they are infected, Ellie fights back in fear of being discovered and it leads to a tense stand-off.
In the game, there are actually two soldiers who are quickly incapacitated by Joel and Tess. But the major change in the episode has Joel trying to stop the soldier from shooting Ellie and remembering what happened to him and his daughter Sarah 20 years earlier. The trauma causes Joel to attack the soldier and beat him to death.
It's an emotional moment and anyone who saw what happened to Sarah earlier in the episode would understand why the still-traumatized father acted this way. Additionally, it hints at Joel's fatherly instincts being activated now that he has Ellie under his care.
Although it wasn't featured in the game, fans loved how the series changed things up slightly to provide depth to the scene. Needless to say, we can't wait to see what other changes will be featured in the next episodes of The Last of Us.
The first episode of The Last of Us is currently streaming on HBO Max. The second episode, which is titled Infected, will premiere on Sunday, January 22, 2023.
Related: The Last of Us: Joel and Sarah Already Hinted at How Cordyceps Outbreak Was Spread