How Ellie and Abby will complete the Hero's Journey in TLOU3

In this video, I explain how Ellie and Abby might complete their own cycle of the Hero's Journey in The Last of Us Part III, concluding a bittersweet trilogy that explores redemption and sacrifice, the unity of opposites, and bringing the end back to the beginning, while leaving room to tell so many other stories in the haunting and beautiful world that Naughty Dog has created.
Opening Art modified from work created by Katarina @AbbyStanAccount on Twitter
Music in this Video
All music by el maestro Gustavo Santaolalla
Last of Us (New Dawn)
Left Behind (Together)
All Gone ( No Escape)
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• Moth Symbolism in The ...
English Captions generously provided by PatientElijah
Much love from WOLF OF THORNS 🤠
#TheLastofUs #TLOU

[@tomkennyjackett1996]

Part 1: Love Part 2: Revenge/hate Part 3: redemption/sacrifice

[@WolfofThorns]

Right on, Tom.

[@johngoldfield6602]

and 2 out of 3 of them is about Abby ugh

[@johngoldfield6602]

@@RubyReactsss this series started with Joel and Ellie now its just about some random retcon bitch

[@TheSkylark16]

Part 1 : sold 20+ millions copies Part 2 : sold 4 millions copies Part 3 : sold 1 millions copies Part 10 : sold 20 copies

[@IRedpunk]

@@RubyReactsss story was shit dude, there’s no way around it. And for a game which core is the story (gameplay is rather basic and even stale), it’s bad. It’s not the fact she killed him, it’s a combination of false marketing, terrible setup and broken scenario where characters act in ways they would never have done.

[@captainobvious1415]

Sorry but any timeline where Ellie doesn’t become an astronaut 20 years after a vaccine is unacceptable.

[@WolfofThorns]

How right you are.

[@onb_tris9345]

agreed, 0/10 worst timeline

[@snowyvulpix5203]

Maybe tlou is Ellie just being in a deep sleep When she went to space years ago but she lost contact with others and cuz space is cold and all idk how she survived but What if that was a possibility It's dark yet so cool cuase she went to space? Or the 3rd game is like most actoin games and Ellie gets sent to space idk Either one works haha

[@ChibiHoshiDragon]

Then you would HATE my ending cause I would SO have the game end with Ellie being mortally wounded and dying in a cave. The final shot would be a dozen children playing and you see blue spores floating towards them out of the cave where her body is and her immune fungus has grown and spored.

[@snowyvulpix5203]

@@ChibiHoshiDragon me personally idrc how it ends bad story telling or not i enjoy the game for the game but i do love stories ovi and play games for the story too if ellie died that way sure id be upset maybe but idrc how it ends as long as they tried and put effort in than id still like it even if i dont My point is i play games for the story/game if ive been waiting for tlou2 and heard that it sucks i still got it ik o sound confusing

[@creek_0419]

I really hope they keep Ellie and Abby as the focal points. I just feel like their stories aren’t finished yet

[@WolfofThorns]

I could not agree more

[@Amadeus_]

Abby and Ellie are the faces of the franchise now. There's no way they're not the focal point of the next game.

[@ADcommenter]

​@@Amadeus_ especially after abby ruined... the previous face.

[@mellomoose_]

@@ADcommenter literally

[@sam_apollo1187]

yes agree

[@settlepetal9928]

I am so on board on the idea of Abby and Ellie joining forces. Quite frankly, I just want them to actually have a conversation; They're more alike than they realize.

[@briyanapanton7437]

Exactly

[@dougpederson5625]

This is one of the few things that doesn’t make the game a masterpiece for me. The two times they spoke was probably abbys most memorable lines. They damaged their own game not having the two protagonists communicate more or have a shared link

[@lostindreams5341]

@@dougpederson5625 not really, they made the point, that’s these two people are so invested in themselves, that they can’t see past themselves, they see their own pain, and no one else, they justify their own actions but can’t do it for the opposite side, that contrast is very well done

[@dougpederson5625]

@@lostindreams5341 forgiveness from Ellie’s point of view was heavily influenced by Levs presence. That felt like a cop out to me. We know Ellie isn’t a monster and we know she wouldn’t abandon a child to live on their own in this world, so when she forgives Abby, it’s cheap to have her “forgive Joel” in the moment as the reason for sparing Abby. There was never any communication which takes away from the possibility that Ellie may have forgiven Abby, she didn’t have a choice... it’s either revenge and dead Lev or nothing. She chose nothing because she’s a good person as we would expect her to. I felt the Entire theme of the story and forgiveness would make more sense if she actually you know... forgives Abby in the end. Still a really good game don’t get me wrong, I just think some of y’all call tlou2 a masterpiece to compensate for those who call the game trash

[@emmak9670]

@@dougpederson5625 i dont think it’s completely ellie forgiving joel, but more so her accepting the fact that she will never have a chance to forgive him and move on. the last flashback she had of joel in pt 2 wasn’t of his death, but of the night before where she told him that she wanted to try to forgive him. another thing to keep in mind is that ellie is suffering from ptsd, which warps all of her actions, reactions, and decisions. also, i really like your analysis! it brought up a lot of points I haven’t thought about :)

[@woolypuffin392]

I just want a happy end for Ellie in the third part. She deserves it.

[@nicolecunha9860]

I love Ellie but she had a happy ending and she ruined it for revenge.

[@Luvnap]

A family

[@kevinthunder3375]

@@Ryley280 that would be a terrible ending

[@kevinthunder3375]

@@nicolecunha9860 who said she ruined it? The ending was ambiguous

[@TheRadScientist_]

@@Ryley280 Ellie wants her life to mean something, not specifically her dying for a cure. The game just has to end with her finding meaning in her life, this can happen without her dying. I honestly think her dying for the cure would just be too on the nose of an ending and naughty dog ain’t about that.

[@michaelmartinez9042]

Ellie going to Joel old Texas home sounds like a great idea for part three.

[@ngawangdechen9857]

Yeah....that part will be one hell of a sad part of the story....

[@thedude4619]

If Ellie were to go to Joel’s old house and go specifically to Sarah’s room, she might come to terms in part III with why Joel stole her from the hospital in Part I. In part II she was very upset in the flashback that Joel deprived her of her “life having meaning” or whatever so if she were to see Sarah’s room, she’d understand that Joel loved her just as much as she did Sarah and would come to terms why Joel took her from the hospital. It would be a perfect way to end the series while also bringing everything full circle.

[@thedude4619]

@Mannen i den vita hatten I disagree. Sure the place might be picked clean, but all the personal belongings like all the stuff that was left in Sarah’s room would be there bc no one would want to take it. Also, the house I think would be able to last a few decades it’s not like it would just crumble to the ground because of an apocalypse. The house would be picked cleaned, but it would still be standing and you’d be able to go inside.

[@thedude4619]

@Mannen i den vita hatten In part 1, tommy went back to Joel’s Texas house and retrieved a picture of Joel and Sarah for him. It was a picture of Joel and Sarah after she had some kind of soccer game. Tommy showed Joel the picture, and Joel rejected it. There would be personal belongings, e.g. the picture, that would be left behind in the house that would not be taken. Just like the picture tommy went and got over 20 years after outbreak day.

[@thedude4619]

@Mannen i den vita hatten Yea because infected are known to attack random objects and not people 🙄

[@jeremywaterton6296]

Man.. if part 3 is even remotely close to this, the world will be a mighty fine place to live in. Thank you for this.

[@WolfofThorns]

It's absolutely my pleasure to share some thoughts.

[@danielsan9850]

When Abby and Ellie meet, players should be able to switch between them during tense scenes

[@moonchasesme.9524]

THAT WOULD BE SO COOL

[@moonchasesme.9524]

Maybe during fighting, too? Like, when they're fighting infecteds we could "change angle"?

[@flameofsurtr953]

Everyone would pick Ellie

[@shampoo_conditioner]

@@flameofsurtr953 well they would have to balance it out. Maybe a new game feature where each character has their own unique abilities, for example, Ellie could have an ability where she could clear a room of spores or something, then Abby could have like a ground slam. Those were both very dumb ideas but yeah, they would have to make it so players are inclined to choose both.

[@eyeyamjstn628]

@@shampoo_conditioner it’s not dumb, it makes sense to me. Abby is physically stronger than Ellie so a ground slam or something makes sense. Ellie is immune so she can take alternate paths

[@leleigh6338]

Words cannot express how much I would LOVE for Ellie to eventually see Joel’s old home. Going through Sarah’s room to get a more in depth look at the girl that inspired Joel to become the eventual father figure for her.

[@hu4l154]

I doubt Sarah’s room would still have stuff in her room. Imagine all of the people that looted that house and took all of her shit with 25 years

[@ngawangdechen9857]

Love to c that.....n sad to know JOEL really is death.....can't imagine it at all

[@jrmizzgaminglounge]

And Tommy mentions in the 1st game that most of the stuff was gone.....most of it..

[@hu4l154]

@@jrmizzgaminglounge your right he did say that, but imagine how much more stuff was taken from that house after the 4 years that passed during TLOU2

[@duncanb.a.s2886]

Dont know, this feels a bit too... dont know what right word to use here, but it feels cheap I think, sorry. plus, you gotta take into account, Joels house probably wouldnt even exist anymore, that would be 30+ year, surely nothing in the house would be recognizable

[@thesimplestickman5169]

we'll just have to wait 7 years before the 3rd one comes out.

[@kabbyoahmed7347]

Atleat 5 years,,,

[@martinlofqvist9405]

Have we not soon waited 1 of these 7 years? 6 more to go...

[@HeavenXxX]

Wait till PS6 almost out. TLOU is a end cycle of PS Consoles.

[@yourpapa6410]

I would be 25 by then.

[@kirinnaicker8871]

@@yourpapa6410 same man 😂

[@danielcielak9228]

I love everything, except Ellie dying at the end. I feel like Ellie going back and getting a vaccine would just return Ellie to how she started. Her whole journey has imo been to learn that the vaccine doesn’t define her and that she’s more than just the cure. She has always wanted to do that, so that wouldn’t really show any real development in her character. I think it would be better if the game ended with either Ellie finding another way that wouldn’t kill her to make a vaccine, or Ellie finding another way to help that doesn’t include making a vaccine and ends with a happier ending for her Also, I really hope we get at least one Joel flashback. If we don’t I’d be extremely disappointed… it would be really cool if the source of that flashback(s) is that Ellie wears Joel’s watch throughout the game or something like that

[@MiSZMARiiE]

She didn’t die for me?

[@inyourgrillbrunson9575]

I can understand your statements.

[@YunSir]

They should hire you ASAP and that ending would have replay all 3 and then down the line they could re-release all 3 together with next gen Graphics

[@WolfofThorns]

You are very sweet, Marcus, but I don't think Neil is accepting unsolicited ideas for his story. I know I wouldn't be about my own IP. But thank you.

[@tg.tyrant2302_]

Please find a way to get in touch with him, my dreams would be complete with this game. It would redeem Part II for everyone and conclude the series with a emotional climax.

[@winstonmiller9740]

I don't like ANY story line in which Ellie dies, I just couldn't take it.

[@colleenkyle7741]

I couldn't have said it any better..

[@darkknight-yd5mr]

Same but I mean dont lie this man should become a director

[@sirnaru4681]

@@darkknight-yd5mr Ikr!!!

[@keirabishop5813]

I was so heartbroken for Ellie at the end of part 2 just for her simply looking sad and being alone. Damn I’d be shattered completely if she dies I’m so attached to her character 🤣

[@MichaelSunny]

It would break me

[@MRHUMMUUS]

If it ended as your story, I would had peacefully say “what a story”

[@WolfofThorns]

Thank you, Antonio.

[@MRHUMMUUS]

@@WolfofThorns np man keep up then KZbin uploadsss

[@halloweenfan158]

@Mannen i den vita hatten facts. I wanted to play as Ellie more since she is more of a stealth character and stealth is more fun than going guns and blazing

[@brandondelacruz8134]

aw, yis.

[@MRHUMMUUS]

@@halloweenfan158 fr Joe is a brutal type but at least I could stealth type and I love stealth games

[@aaronm4841]

That male immune character is a MUST have in the franchise, just imagine Ellie or Abby having trouble with this guy because he uses spores or infected to his will. Maybe he can be played by marsahli ali or Robert Pattinson. And I have to say, man you killed it with this video. This pitch is genuine amazing and a perfect way to continue the story.

[@canada1529]

The only thing that bothers me about this pitch is Abby and Ellie meeting by sheer coincidence 2/3 into the story. It’s fine to start a story with a coincidence, but coincidence shouldn’t bind the plot together. Perhaps Tommy hear’s wind of Abby’s movements and sends Ellie off to her location (whether she knows it or not. Probably not) with the intention of following her, but maybe he gets set back or something. That’s a lot more organic a way for the meeting to happen.

[@ryzen2240]

but if there is someone else immune then the name of the game wouldn't make sense

[@ryzen2240]

it's because Ellie is the one and only immune person that she will always be the last alive (Riley died before her, then Tess and Sam ... and it's probably not over) She is and will always be "the last of us"

[@canada1529]

@@ryzen2240 why do you assume that’s why that’s the title of the game?

[@ryzen2240]

@@canada1529 well, it is my interpretation (to me but not only) of the title of the game. the interpretation can thus vary according to the people. it says the fact that there is someone else immune will destroy the basis of the story.

[@Nick-cy2tn]

Finally a channel where the comments aren't full of childish vitriol towards ND. I can't see any other ending except Ellie choosing to sacrifice herself for the cure.

[@Jared-mo4ew]

fuck yeah

[@bobjenko]

I see it going one of two ways. One is what you say, Ellie sacrifices herself for a cure. Two is linked to the line at the end of Part II about her life "mattering" - have Part III be a story of Ellie realising her life matters in other ways than her immunity.

[@wearenotthewalkingdead]

There is really no point for a cure at this point.. the world has gone too much to shit, there’s more infected than people by billions probably.. even if they do develop immunity how can they possibly kill off all of the infected?

[@Xurimix]

The famous good side. If you didn't like the game you are childish. Okay. Always the same arguments.

[@albertovazquezparedes457]

That's not an option anymore. Sirry Ellie could not do it, she would fell it as a betrail to Joel's memory

[@josederwis8459]

Another intresting story would be is how Joel and Tommy survived the outbreak before part one.

[@Sta11ion]

The outbreak started in part 1, so idk what u saying

[@josederwis8459]

@@Sta11ion lol, i get your point. I meant i want to see how tommy and joel survived during those 20 years after after sarahs death

[@bjbawesome]

@@josederwis8459 I think it'd make great DLC for TLOU2. Since we got Ellie DLC in the first game, why not give us Joel DLC in the second?

[@Sta11ion]

@@josederwis8459 ohhh I see, ya it’s be interesting, and how they met Tess

[@bobaphet4125]

I don't think you want to see how bad it's implied they were.

[@dramfq9195]

I really hope they make things right between Ellie and Dina.

[@briyanapanton7437]

I hope so too I think Dina went back to Jackson

[@anabelmiousse1966]

Part II already give you hint of that at the end. When Ellie leave Dina and JJ to go searching for Abby, a second time, she don’t have the bracelet that Dina gave her. And when she come back to their house, in the final scene. She has it on her arm. Meaning she had gone to Jackson before returning to the house and make things right between her and Dina.

[@rhalum]

Dina deserves better.

[@anabelmiousse1966]

@@rhalum couldn’t agree more

[@wilsinhodfs]

Sorry fam, but Dina would never accept Ellie back :(

[@TheConquerorOfLife]

If the villian looks badass like that I’m all for it and he sets booby traps everywhere he’s like a hunter and Ellie and Abby are the prey

[@dinukajay]

See, the problem with these stories and the reason why some people got mad for LoU2 is because everyone expects a "happy ending". We've been conditioned from our childhood that happy endings are a must. But have a look at life itself. How often do people get happy endings? Yes, there are happy moments, exhilarating ones at times. But often, it's a rollercoaster of bad and good moments and never a "happily ever after". I love how LoU2 ended. Initially I was really really mad. But I came to terms with it after I set aside my conditioning to believe that a happy ending was a necessity. Just my thoughts. Happy to converse!

[@Tobar68]

Most Fairy Tales have happy ending and when we like people we wish well for them and its nice to see them happy. My theory is when I read of play games like this with good story line. You put yourself in there shoes so you do want them to find happiness EVEN MORE SO - when the world around them is CRAP. Ya know.

[@SilvaArmour3000]

that's honestly not true. besides the minority who may think like that, the vast majority of where the criticism comes from is not exactly Joel dying, but the manner he died and how soon it happened. The biggest issue in this game imho is the chronology of the story itself. Besides the multitudes of flashbacks (especially the ones near the end of the game), the fact that they didn't do a back-n-forth with Ellie's and Abby's story in Seattle was pretty infuriating. You do all of that work with Ellie with those 3 days just for you to essentially do another 3 days with Abby when their stories could be swapping sides to keep it interesting. Big waste of time and I only credit my curiousity of how the story would turn out for the completion of this game. If they make a 3rd one, then I hope they learn from the mistakes of the 2nd one because there were many.

[@marsim5044]

@@SilvaArmour3000 I have to disagree with what you said, me and everyone I know would do anything just to go back in time and play this game all over again and experience that emotional roller coaster again, exactly the way it was presented. What they did to Joel was insane and that’s what makes TLOU2 better, because that emotional roller coaster started right from the beginning of the game and the anger I felt, fuelled me to play the game more aggressively.

[@justanotheridiot3862]

People wanted this game to be like: Yay! Ellie and Joel are alive and enjoying some coffee back in Jackson meanwhile Abby is in her f* grave. Imagine if the game was like that... it was gonna be worse than it already is... (i mean the game is not bad (i played it and i loved it), but its not perfect too)

[@helenline1790]

Or maybe it's because of poor writing and characterisation?

[@HeroesFanProductions]

I love this series so much. Part 2 was a hell of a game and an excruciating painful story to accept. This entire outline just feels so right. Going back to Texas, Tommy and Ellie riding a Harley, and Abby and Ellie teaming up to not only resolve their broken souls but to save the world together. Not to mention Ellie visiting Joel’s original home one last time ugh I will definitely be emotionally wrecked. I hope each character finds their closure and inner peace before the end of their paths. Especially Ellie. She deserves to find the light again, they all do.

[@spec_wasted]

Ellie is very dark in part 2, it's not her, no matter how lonely she is, she's the charmer, She was so un Charming in part 2

[@mistere3501]

Closure defeats the purpose of the ending the first game..You're not supposed to have closure..that's the fkin point of a cliff hanger

[@lucaspetersen9446]

@@mistere3501 bruv it could be a cliffhanger that gives people a reason to buy the next game dumbass

[@ben3218]

@@VannywiththeFanny all the original characters were very out of character in this game

[@anderson_abigail3322]

@@ben3218 abby will comeback isn’t?

[@wrustria]

I truly can’t see a part 3 where abby and ellie dont interact again. That dynamic would be too interesting to not explore.

[@Cap_The_Captain]

Doesn't seem like it'll happen but I honestly wanted a DLC with Abby & Lev on their ventures, perhaps it could have even directly tied into Tlou part 3 by having the two be with the fireflies by the end of it. Perhaps 10 years or so pass between Tlou2 events & Tlou3 that'd be awesome

[@g.danielvelazquez7494]

@@Cap_The_Captain why do u say it doesn’t seem it’ll happen? Based on what?

[@Cap_The_Captain]

@@g.danielvelazquez7494 Based on Druckman stating in an interview/podcast that they have/had no plans for DLC for tlou2. That's not to say there absolutely won't be, people got secrets, but it points to it not being likely to happen unless we hear something else.

[@g.danielvelazquez7494]

@@Cap_The_Captain You heard the composer saying "this is just the beginning"? Could mean anything...he may be talking DLC, LoU3, or the HBO show...but im hopeful. LOTS to explore

[@g.danielvelazquez7494]

@@jaimebecerraacostagarcia8784 oh get over it.

[@MilkMan-jm5fd]

I would like to see Dina and Ellie get back together or at least start talking again

[@charlottefrantzen4579]

Me too, I think it’d be a good way to show rebuilding broken trust. Also, it would give my gay heart some peace

[@francescarobles8301]

@@charlottefrantzen4579 SAME LMAOOO

[@alexakimxd4572]

@@charlottefrantzen4579 AHAHAHAHHA YEP

[@bobjenko]

I could die happy if Ellie ended up with Dina.

[@Ri_5475]

I dont think they broke up in the first place cause at the end of the game when she comes back to the farmhouse from her fight with abby shes wearing Dina's bracelet which she doesnt wear during the fight

[@jazzy4397]

This is such an interesting and compelling concept. Honestly everything you said, Tommy & Ellie and Abby & Lev being together, Abby and Ellie meeting once again and then Ellie having to make the ultimate sacrifice in hopes to save humanity and bring forth a new world would make so much sense and be perfect for ending the story. I feel this would be a bittersweet ending for fans as we've seen and grown with both Ellie and Joel, but it would need to happen. Can also definitely see Abby and Ellie becoming allies and teaming up for this to work. IMO, this end would make everything right and justify the story.

[@reddragon0624]

Please just let Part 3 end with Ellie being happy that’s all I want 🥺

[@David-gd3qm]

Me too,me too

[@CesarGarcia-nd5xz]

Nope, it will be about the daughter of a npc abby killed and her quest of revenge. Besides, if Joel couldn't have a happy ending, why should ellie? and lest face it the kind Ellie of the first game is no more, she's now a horrible person.

[@hannahwaggott4310]

@@CesarGarcia-nd5xz ellie is not an awful person at all, she is overwhelmed with ptsd and the need for revenge. yes, she may have grown up to be a mass murderer, but she was never a horrible person, only someone who has been struggling without her father.

[@Pista80]

@@hannahwaggott4310 tlou2 players: haha killing everyone I see go brrrr

[@iammonke9203]

Ellie fucked up and got what she had coming. But I also hope she gets a satisfying ending.

[@MeggyMoVlogger]

I'm still mourning 😭😭😭 with Joel's death and Ellie and Dina's breakup. TLOU 3 would be nice.

[@princesscaroline198]

I’m still traumatized from when Ellie kills the dog in the aquarium 😭😭

[@luislovera2351]

Yeah it would be nice but I doubt part 3 is going to happen because part part pretty much kill the series

[@somerled5513]

@@luislovera2351 We probably now won't get a part 3 after all of the backlash and abuse Naughty Dog/Druckmann received from the toxic man-children for Part 2. Honestly, these people are disgusting.

[@lethalsoldier8082]

@@somerled5513 nah i have a feeling ND would want to make things right with a part 3. A dlc would be nice too

[@somerled5513]

@@lethalsoldier8082 Make things right? He didn't do anything wrong. The story and ending were brutal, but so is the universe of the TLOU. A DLC would be great, but it would not be to 'right any wrongs'

[@Vanessa-wu5yi]

I love how you included the “Harleys” reference in your storyline. After hearing that part of the video, it made me feel emotionally driven and contented to reminisce the old characters and the lovable connections of the first game. I hope Naughty Dog can make a Part 3 with a much more sensible storyline and jaw dropping experience.

[@the_kidd3944]

I would love to see Abby and Ellie join forces in any way

[@qubachanner3843]

Join forces and do what

[@bmxbandit5911]

A redemption story for ellie for all she had done would be the perfect trilogy end

[@mohaameed7637]

Yep

[@doomvictor3934]

Agreed.

[@CKzoidYT]

69 likes Nice.

[@raingerdiesalot]

Accept that more than half of the fan base believes that Ellie is perfect and does no wrong. 😭 And they just blamed Abby for everything.

[@ol1163]

I don’t want her to die🤧

[@trybeanpole1873]

Tommy: Ellie, I have a plan. Ellie: YOU ALWAYS HAVE A DAMN PLAN

[@friedpotato6037]

*HAVE SOME DAMN FAITH ELLIE*

[@thomascg4907]

PLAN? WHAT GODDAMN PLAN? TAHITI? TUMBUCTU?

[@obesegranny69420]

AND THERES ALWAYS A GOD DAMN TRAIN!

[@durableproductions]

*Dutch has joined the chat*

[@cinderfall1396]

" Got a towel or anything " Tommy Miller

[@TheGunGamerLife]

Man U gassed me up I can’t wait till they make TLOU 3 now

[@charlottefrantzen4579]

I really want Ellie and Dina to get a happy ending together, or atleast that they’re together somehow, but that probably won’t happen.

[@kyleacutt6452]

It probably will happen but it might come with a cost

[@eat_pray_porg8450]

I like the story idea, Dan! I too would also hope that they are working on Part III. So much potential with a story of redemption here!

[@WolfofThorns]

I know, Moses. I am very excited to see where Neil takes it.

[@danielmarquez467]

@@jacobelmes7686 ...totally agree.

[@brandonwalker5057]

You said it 😃

[@itsblitz4437]

I mean I like to see that However Naughty Dog needs a long break and some reconstructing due to the crunch time controversy surrounding Part II. So many people left Naughty Dog because of it.

[@brandonwalker5057]

@@itsblitz4437 you said it.

[@acartonoj]

Where Ellie ends up in Joel's house is really where that got me

[@cognitivearchitect]

Wow dude, this is such an amazing idea! I know anything Naughty Dog comes up with for Part 3 will be absolutely phenomenal but daaaamn, yours is pretty fantastic too! Awesome stuff man :)

[@meridianspark]

The way you presented this outline to us was off the charts. The flow from one point into another, the way you detailed each plot point and hook, everything. You made a simple outline feel like a story. My personal favourite idea you had is absolutely sending Ellie to Joel's old house. I've always loved a good hero's journey, and the idea of Ellie's redemption through the ultimate sacrifice just feels *powerful*. Keep up the good work! You should totally pitch this idea to Naughty Dog!

[@littlelordglitterboy4777]

I love the idea of an immune villain to tease use with a cure. A vaccine originating from an antagonist would feel like dessert to the gamer’s soul. But as you said, Ellie gaining her own agency is really the chicken soup we need, sad as it is. Can the bad guy be really dashing and super handsome at least?

[@WolfofThorns]

Haha. Absolutely, perhaps voiced and motion performed by Bill Skarsgard or Cameron Monaghan, am I right? They seem to go with custom sculpts and face models for all of the main character aesthetics, though.

[@littlelordglitterboy4777]

Wolf of Thorns ahh, yes. I can clearly see Vaccine Daddy now.

[@WolfofThorns]

@@littlelordglitterboy4777 lol

[@foxboy8760]

How does this video have so many view but he still only has 800 subs

[@WolfofThorns]

@@foxboy8760 A great mystery, COD Mobile. I rely on you guys to spread the spores of my content into the world in any way you can!

[@LucasDimoveo]

I really hope that a cure is developed in the story. I think that we need a light of hope in these difficult times in the real world. We have enough hopeless and cynical apocalyptic tales.

[@WolfofThorns]

I hope a cure is developed as well, Lucas. Hopeless and cynical is one thing, but honest and bittersweet is quite another. And a vaccine would only be a spark of hope. It would by no means be the immediate solution to this haunting and beautiful world's problems, and would in fact present certain problems in and of itself, which I will likely do a video on at some point in the future. Knee deep in several projects for the channel atm.

[@LucasDimoveo]

@@WolfofThorns I think that a post-apocalyptic world where a cure is already developed but needs to be distributed would be an awesome direction to go in. We all know that people would fight over a cure. Hell, some people might even reject it. It would be interesting to see how the Saraphites and WLF would respond to that information.

[@wilsinhodfs]

@@LucasDimoveo That's true! But I'm pretty sure the WLF and the Seraphites doesn't exist anymore, whoever's left will create a new group with a new leader and structure to take control of Seattle.

[@halloweenjack95]

I hope so but without Ellies death please.

[@nonuvurbeeznus795]

I know this is a really old comment but TLOU is actually on the grand scheme of things a pretty good apocalypse. There are still lots of human civilization left, including very strong bastions of FEDRA, i.e the US government. So it stands to reason there are governments still standing all over the world, too. And then you have placed like Jackson, which are wholly good institutions and while Jackson can and does struggle there's no sign that Jackson will ever succumb. Jackson is thriving. The Seraphites and the WLF were also thriving but they were tearing each other apart in a total war

[@weatherman4093]

Damn that was a beautiful way of making a part 3 bro. I just found your channel just now and I gotta say your amazing my friend.

[@Youo8989]

I’m literally getting so excited listening to you with these ideas!! Holy cow

[@dude16171]

Shivers when you brought up Ellie walking through Joel’s house

[@WolfofThorns]

Always a pleasure to provide an emotional connection to someone

[@RazorwireReviews]

A pretty decent concept! The first game was about Joel's redemption, regaining his humanity. Part II was about Ellie losing hers. It would make for a pretty great trilogy if a possible Part III focused on Ellie finding her humanity again, bookending a three part story with redemption arcs for Joel, and then Ellie. Another meeting between Ellie and Abby would be incredible, there's just so much baggage there.

[@Kadosknight]

Exactly! Too much possibilities left between them. I think it was intentional, so as this point, both of them know very little of the others' motivations or history. Ellie doesn't know that Joel killed Jerry, and Abby doesn't know that Ellie was the one who murdered Nora, Mel and Owen. So there's plenty of space for some twists and turns.

[@briyanapanton7437]

@letslaugh2gether4 Agreed I want and hope they will find each other again and talk it out and become friends.

[@charlos8744]

Man... This is all REALLY good! You really thought this through and it all pretty much makes sense. I love your ideas for part 3. Good job!

[@michaelrichter3169]

I can't even describe how emotional I got watching this. Absolutely amazing storyline, I'd love it to be like that!!

[@TheKingSlayer745]

I want Ellie to go to Joel’s home in Texas and look at his picture and call him Dad and not Joel.

[@matthewstein5854]

Damm that wld just be heartbreaking

[@rishikhosla3985]

Don't!!! I can't handle that much emotions

[@kabbyoahmed7347]

Uffff.i wish... Report naughty dog....,,,

[@6ixstarz216]

Maybe hallucinate him and can see him one last time

[@denji5426]

i would just start sobbing tbh

[@Timothymukansi]

Conspiracy theory: Wolf of Thorns is a Naughty Dog writer

[@qualitygardenchair9334]

I hope that's true

[@g59tothegrave]

If something happens like this in lou3, People will begin to actually learn to appreciate lou2

[@zanetlou1689]

Yknow I'll never appreciate what TLOU 2 did

[@XIIIMPC]

It would position TLOU2 as The Empire Strikes Back of the trilogy, the darker middle chapter. I think it would be great.

[@mryoung6090]

Maybe a lot of people but not everyone

[@blackspine343]

Bro... wonderful. I love that you're looking at this through the lens of the Hero's journey, because it IS incomplete (and maybe the reason some people found it unfulfilling) and I can't wait to see it finished in the next game.

[@simbasingh4997]

This version is gonna leave me a wreck but I accept 😭✨❤️

[@evanjensen792]

I like the idea of the Antagonist for Abby's arc being this insanely good fighter that is hunting down Abby for being in their territory, and Ellie saving Abby from them.

[@conyer8104]

I could see Ellie looking for the fireflies after leaving the farmhouse and eventually run into Abby and lev. At first they will be hostile towards each other but will be forced into a situation where they have to work together to survive. Then they could maybe grow to like each other and find out that they aren’t so different and they could have a talk where they both admit how they were in the wrong and apologise for their actions and eventually become friends

[@sunnymoniz7636]

This is ..... absolutely beautiful. Why did it almost bring me to tears? 💕

[@brianna_0551]

Tlou writers watching this: " write that down, write that down"

[@mjbailey18]

I hope you nailed it- this sounds like a natural, engaging conclusion. Bitter sweet indeed.

[@joe-ox5rc]

Dude you are amazing!!!! This sounds so fucking good

[@paigepopejoy]

This was really thoughtful. Well done.

[@jackr_4382]

Would love to see how the relationship between ellie and tommy develops

[@WolfofThorns]

I agree. Plenty of potential for a wonderful mixture of warmth and unresolved tension.

[@mohaameed7637]

@DD Chittick relax

[@danielmarquez467]

Maybe Tommy and Ellie don't resolve the tension and part ways when Ellie and Abby team up.

[@nam9085]

@DD Chittick abby lost people too because of joel and ellie, look at it from the other perspective and you'd be calling joel and ellie bitches

[@Sid_Vintage]

@@nam9085 exactly

[@onemv529]

In part 2, when Tommy approached Ellie and told her where Abby was I really thought Ellie would change her mind on her way to Abby and seek redemption by travelling to the remaining fire flies together so she could sacrifice herself. I had the same impression that Abby had overcome whereas Ellie had not up until the very last scene.

[@tiffanyillig48]

I was super upset why Tommy told Ellie to kill Abby. It seems that Ellie is forgetting about Abby and letting her live, till Tommy invene.

[@omarbravo8758]

@@tiffanyillig48 she had pstd

[@kyliesmith9199]

That would've been such an interesting way to end, but a really sad one. Also that would make the game longer since Ellie wasn't the one who heard the rumor about them regrouping somewhere.. meaning she would have to gather stuff to find out where they are

[@lambdaweaponscache5394]

You have earned a subscriber- absolutely beautiful and tear jerking.

[@dustinmacdougall24]

Great video and rough draft of a storyline. You really have me thinking now

[@tierk4328]

I'm really interested in Tommys arc for TLOU3. Him wanting to be in control is something that contributes heavily to his character motivations. He was helpless to save Sarah, helpless to save Joel, helpless to save Jesse, helpless to help Dina and Abby fight Abby. No wonder he was a leader in the fireflies and jackson. He hates feeling helpless and that pushed him to be in a place of control. Now he's lost that physically and is now helpless. I really want to know where this will take him especially when he finds out Ellie didn't kill Abby.

[@WolfofThorns]

Great observations. Will be very interesting to see where it all goes.

[@JAAAYCOBB653]

Didn't Tommy give up on Ellie going for Abby? Because Tommy got mad that Ellie didn't want to go for Abby again. And Ellie did go for Abby but we don't see Tommy knowing that she went for her at all. That's why I think he wouldn't be suprised at all to find out Ellie didn't kill Abby.

[@WolfofThorns]

@@JAAAYCOBB653 Hey there, Pewe. I think Dina and JJ's return to Jackson (that they would have needed the help of Jacksonites to accomplish), coupled with Ellie's absence for her months-long journey to California, in addition to returning with missing fingers--there's reason enough to assume he will know what happened. How he will feel about the truth, if she chooses to disclose that to him, will be fascinating to see play out, if Neil indeed chooses to explore it.

[@JAAAYCOBB653]

@@WolfofThorns Yeah but Tommy would still be suprised to see that she went for Abby. Tommy seeing her without 2 fingers would really make him questionable where she was and what she was doing. When Ellie reveals that she went for Abby, Tommy will either know that already (somehow), or will be suprised. Idk, your story goes good with Tommy but reality is that he doesn't know where Ellie goes after their argument. Maybe Ellie went to Jacksons to tell Tommy but I doubt it.

[@WolfofThorns]

@@JAAAYCOBB653 Indeed, Pewe, the possibilities are endless. Regardless of what lies in store for us and these characters that we love, I can't wait to explore it and see where the road takes us.

[@Eweezy8004]

YOURE... HIRED!! *vince mcmahon face *

[@WolfofThorns]

lmao This made my morning, Eweezy!

[@carlosenriquebonillasantos4373]

This has to be single handedly the best video pondering on the last of us ever. This is one of the few videos I would love to give more than one like

[@WolfofThorns]

Awww, thank you so much for the immensely generous and sweet words, Carlos! That really means a lot to me

[@SniffiSniffton]

Wow this made me cry, such an amazing concept. I just found your channel and you remind me of an amazing Dungeon Master. Great work dude.

[@WolfofThorns]

Wow, thank you, Susan!

[@lilscenechick1995]

It's so great to see another KZbinr speak of Abby's character development and journey, without being stuck on hating her. I would love to see TLOU3 feature both Ellie and Abby. Tommy also deserves a conclusion to his journey. The poor man has suffered and lost so much. Ellie was on the path to healing at the end of TLOU 2 but Tommy was a bitter, broken man.

[@duncanb.a.s2886]

Yeah, I felt really sorry for Tommy too.

[@bencarter123]

@@duncanb.a.s2886 I did until the scene in Ellie and Dinas house it’s genuinely one of my biggest issues with part 2. He was an absolute dickhead and made me really not like him any more

[@duncanb.a.s2886]

@@bencarter123 Yeah, I hear you, I also kind of thought "Tmmoy, you're a dick man" but I also kind of understood him. Dude was broken as F***. Actually, who was not broken in the story? maybe that is what I love about it so much. Every single character was driven by their own rage. Played the game 6 times now and every single time, I get a new perspective.

[@DB800187]

It has taken me a long time to finally get over and accept Joel's death. When it happened playing it the first time, i just stopped playing the game for about 2 weeks i was so disgusted with how it transpired. But I eventually started playing again, still pissed off, but grew to accept it, and appreciate the game for how it was anyway. I played through a second time afterwards, the gameplay is just so good in my opinion. I really hope tbey do make it a trilogy, and look forward to seeing what happens next with Ellie.....it better not be an unexpected death though😡😡

[@JayB_Cnt]

Makes me laugh when people get so anal over a game. I've never known anything like it. The games an 18 aswell and I thought it would of been a juvenile that would act like this. How wrong was i😂😂

[@nubman5170]

You have a fantastic point of view and ability to express it

[@louiekim824]

I REALLY love this narrative you've made! I hope Part III is something like this!

[@giacomomutti2589]

Crazy to think that this could one day be a trilogy of games.

[@mrtyrant1680]

Crazy, because that's probably not going to happen. TLOU2 wasn't exactly well received and it didn't exactly sold much.

[@kapono299]

@@mrtyrant1680 Both of those things are not true. 10/10s across the board and one of the highest selling games of 2020

[@sebastianhaney1425]

​@@mrtyrant1680 Yeah bro, despite the backlash it received it got a lot of $$$, and deservingly too. It was the best story told through a videogame thus far. Memorable and emotionally engaging. A Part 3 is justified and wanted, as long as it follows its predecessor by being an unpredictable story.

[@16.5m2]

@@kapono299 numbers are lying, it didn't sold so much. Don't trust about the saying "best selling" from other website because it's a fake news. You can ask to your nearest PS4 shop. I asked many PS4 stores in America and they all said that TLOU2 is not much sold for months after the release.

[@bharatchawla8514]

@@16.5m2 and then what about winning the. game of the year

[@Karlsefni_mc]

I love this idea especially the part where you said Ellie visits Joel & Sarah’s old house in Texas before she sacrifices and redeems herself

[@IIthisIIguyII]

I have been recently working on a TLoU TTRPG setting and after binging countless video essays and lore dumps, this is one of my favorite videos.

[@likeaboss6562]

This is super talented, and I feel like Naughty Dog needs to see your storyline. I couldn’t stomach an ending where Ellie is deceased tho it just makes me so depresso.

[@WolfofThorns]

I appreciate that. To me, there could be no greater loving ending than Ellie's willful sacrifice, passing her into legend, Iron Man or Neo style. To me, that actually is a happy ending, and... it's what she would want.

[@allegramafrica2586]

I just found your channel and I love how you talk about the last of us and how you explain theories. This channel deserves more

[@Kev-cito]

man that would be a great story hopefully they do make a part iii

[@WolfofThorns]

Absolutely, Kevin. I have no doubt that we will see a part III, just a question of whether or not Naughty Dog will start that as their next project or not. Hopefully so.

[@katiehartt]

I don't think ND would miss an opportunity to include Dina in the game. She was a huge fan favorite and played an important role in the Part 2. Also, you forgot about JJ! I think he's going to play a big part in Part 3.

[@alejandrof4680]

Awesome video!!!!

[@flo-floflo4151]

Just watching this video made me so emotional all over again. I didn't expect part 2 to take me in that journey so your vision for part 3 will honestly heal me from the disappointment I felt. I'm hopeful for part 3 and to see where these characters take us.

[@Ellieemcmahon]

Duuuuude- if they don’t make part three this is canon Love the video x

[@WolfofThorns]

What a sweet thing to say, Ellie! Thank you so much!

[@Abbinal]

I love that your name is coincidentally Ellie, amazing for this video and the response from Wolf

[@ChRiS-ep4gc]

This is hella dope!

[@taegithetiger]

what an interesting take on a part 3. ive had trouble appreciating part 2 but this right here--we come full circle and it ties back around nicely. would love to play this story if this is what a tlou trilogy would offer up

[@alexander8200]

This would actually tie everything together so nicely

[@TheMarine316]

I love that story breakdown, I’m sure many would but there’s gonna be some of “THOSE” gamers who’ll never get onboard with Abby returning, their little brains explode at the idea of her having any redeeming qualities, for this reason I hope it happens

[@nintandao64]

Gosh, after dealing with their bs for over 3 months after the game's release I just felt a sudden rush of anxiety thinking of all the terrible criticisms they had for this game lol

[@TheMarine316]

@@janvukovic8717 I didn’t get manipulated by anything, I played the game, saw the story unfold, didn’t overreact like a little bitch as soon as something happened that I didn’t like & formed an opinion at the end of the experience, I loved it just as much if not more then the original.

[@joshualuke7003]

@jan vukovic you’re providing ample evidence that Abby haters are empathically deficient and emotionally immature. You’d have to be to get to the end and STILL hate her/want her dead. Ellie didn’t kill her because she’d learnt that nothing good would come of it, it wouldn’t heal her, wouldn’t bring Joel back and would just do damage to Lev and to herself. She went after her months later because she has PTSD and wanted closure but violent closure wasn’t the way. These are pretty basic concepts if you’re an adult who’s lived any kind of life and been through shit.

[@TheMarine316]

@@joshualuke7003 well said 👏👏👏

[@infectedmoth9264]

Lmao I totally agree

[@khairenmohdazree5823]

I can appreciate the amount of thought that this guy put into this. Good stuff 👍

[@mattdughi9761]

Dude!!!! If this was in fact the game???!!! I’ve seen other videos of yours and OMG!!! You have a special way of telling stories. Thank you for this.

[@WolfofThorns]

Sweet of you to say, Matt. Glad you're enjoying the content!

[@tombsofak]

I am shaking in the goodness of how amazing this is. This would be a phenomenal way to wrap things up.

[@peanutsauce7134]

I really hope that is exactly how part 3 is, just watching this video made me want to play it already the story sounds awesome

[@rat_king2801]

oh man i actually just shed a tear thinking about the story line you've imagined here. a happy ending for Ellie and Abbey would be nice but it definitely feels like Naughty Dog would probably keep with their theme of crushing heart break and sadness

[@waynegarbutt3386]

Amazing work 👏

[@WolfofThorns]

Thanks a lot 😊

[@joseville]

Really loving all your TLOU content! You bring out so much depth and symbolism that I would have missed otherwise!

[@WolfofThorns]

Thanks for sharing the love, Jose. Very glad you're digging the conversations I'm trying to have about this incredible game.

[@DekonTLOU]

Nice vid! Some may say what you mentioned is predictable and ND wouldn't do it for that reason, but ever since the 2016 trailer people predicted what would go down with Papa Joel and they still did it even it was predictable! tlou1 wasn't most original or "unpredictable" story but the execution is what made it what it was! Naughty Dog could def pull off what u mentioned imo 🔥

[@WolfofThorns]

I completely agree. A good story stands on its own merits in time, regardless of whether some people can see some of the main movements of where a thing is going. Imagine a reality where George Lucas went a different direction simply because people predicted that Vader was Luke's father. Sure, the revelation is shocking if you don't know, but the story is excellent in and of itself regardless. I feel like, in recent years, some major IPs strayed away from excellent stories simply because some folks on the internet deciphered some clues prior to the full story being told, and, to me, that's a crime of the highest order. Stories are the only true sacred texts possessed by mankind, and a good story should always be told, regardless of how many tribesman around the campfire already know it.

[@rutherhood5961]

I like it, you definitely deserve more exposure

[@kikijewell2967]

Nice concept!

[@Tobias_R]

Man I just wanted to say that I just found your channel, and this video and I think your ideas are great. You clearly understand the key themes of the game and how further development can take place. Your idea for the ending particularly struck me, as that is essentially exactly what I hope to see as well.

[@WolfofThorns]

Thank you, Tobias! Really glad to have you here, man.

[@andystamas]

Wow, great job on this! Love the storyline ideas.

[@omgitsrossy3122]

Love it mate

[@lilquentint2447]

I‘m really looking forward to Part III. I finished Part II 3 days ago and I found it was incredible. It is not a classic good vs evil story. It‘s a story about survival, strong human feelings, a little bit of revenge and hope. If Ellie managed to kill all those people because of pure hatred and blind thoughts of revenge, they will definitely be able to save humankind. I found the second perspective very well done and Abby and Ellie will most likely forgive each other and learn to work together. They both lost a father or father figure because of certain actions. Both have lived through their consequences. Brilliant game and highly underrated by the community. Guess people weren’t ready for that story. It was always about Ellie

[@keithdeibert2978]

I think part 3 is going to be Abby and the fireflies looking for Ellie. Ellie and Abby can never be friends or on the same team, that would destroy all the emotional attachment your supposed to have with the characters, because Joel killed abbys dad and Abby killed Joel.

[@wilsinhodfs]

I agree, it doesn't fit. They can spare one another, but teaming up is unlikely. I mean, how could I team up and trust someone that brutally murdered my father and Jesse or how could one trust someone that killed all my friends and the love of my life?

[@lauren_eb]

@letslaugh2gether4 totally agree. ellie and abby's anger makes sense in tlou part 2 because they're both so young and their trauma is so recent--they're both only 20 years old--but after years have passed and their revenge plots have left them both with so much heartache, it makes sense they'd both find a way to move on, especially if relying on one another was important to their survival

[@MattyBudzzz]

The emotion you feel for joel and Ellie in the first and second game is incomparable to whatever you feel killing a random Npc in the first game who happened to be this random new character Abbie's father.

[@cityrat3237]

@@jonnyhill1239 it would work, they don’t become friends but both end up in a situation where they have to rely on each other to survive whether they like it or not. The dynamic and the tension would cause A lot of mishaps and create a story that can truly be emotional. In the end of part 2 things were heavily unresolved and just pushed aside. Both Ellie and Abbie left with a lot of pain and ache. To see two characters who hate each other forced to rely on one another for survival is an interesting take. Almost like the Abby part with the scars but more more emotional and fleshed our.

[@Zapdos97]

Yeah. It's either they're going realistic or not. Thor could never be in the same room as Thanos and be cool. You can forgive someone and still not want anything to do with them. That's the vibe both Abby and Ellie showed.

[@ThomasLF]

This is such an intriguing idea. It feels like a natural and fitting continuation/conclusion to the Last of Us story. I did make my own video about a potential LoU Part 3 story idea, but yours feels stronger. If Naughty Dog did something similar to this, with Ellie walking through Joel's old home and having one last flashback before sacrificing herself to find a cure, I think fans would be in for one heck of an emotional rollercoaster. And I love the trope of former enemies begrudgingly working together to face against a bigger threat. Really great video.

[@WolfofThorns]

Thank you, Thomas!

[@OddOneOut99]

This was put together very well I could see this being part of the series....

[@Emmaa21]

That gave me serious chills