The Last of Us 1×07 “Left Behind” was a gut punch. Partially because we wanted to see what happened to Joel ASAP. But also because we knew what was coming for Ellie and Riley. And it was going to hurt like all the others stories have. Because Ellie has experienced pain and loss that she has buried away. And “Left Behind” pulls back the veil and helps Ellie decide what she’s going to do. Does she fight? Does she go? Or does she stay for the father figure she never thought she could have?
How Riley Changed Ellie
“Left Behind” was an introspective look at Ellie, who she is, and what it’s like to grow up in the apocalypse. Because growing up, choosing a career, and finding who you want to be in this life is part of it all. But it changes when you have no family, can’t go out and explore the world as a means of finding yourself, and your career choices are limited by walls that keep the infected out but keep a community under the rule of the military shit show that is F.E.D.R.A.
As a viewer, it was also an experience to realize that all the flashbacks were running through Ellie’s head as she contemplated what she was going to do when it came to Joel and if she should leave him. And the most important parts of Riley that she remembered was how her friend (and love interest) opened her eyes to the reality of the world and the hardships that follow us all. But most importantly, how to get back up again and keep going because every moment matters.
And as a queer viewer, 1×07 hurt because Ellie and Riley could never be. Sure, the spark was there. The kiss was there too. But an infected came and ruined what could’ve been. That’s why Ellie was so hard in the beginning. She’s experienced loss too and was scared of connecting. But after this episode, I think she’s going to be different. Because she still loves Riley. Always will love her. And she will honor Riley by living a life she’d be proud of. For both of them.
The Tragedy of Riley
Storm Reid‘s Riley was absolute perfection. And I will die on this hill when I say that Reid is criminally underrated and needs more roles ASAP. And hopefully The Last of Us 1×07 will shine a new spotlight on her that shows how much of herself she gives to the characters she plays. Because seeing her as Riley was fantastic. But it wasn’t enough of Reid and everything that she can offer as an actress. (Ok, I’m done with my soap box moment for Storm Reid.)
On the long list of things I was afraid of seeing when The Last of Us was first announced, the story of Riley was one of them. Like Sarah, she could’ve done so much more in this world. But a monster snatched that possibility and light away before she could change the world. Because that’s what Riley wanted to do. She wanted to be part of something, the Fireflies. She wanted to be the change and reshape the world. And she could’ve absolutely done it if she hadn’t been bitten.
In “Left Behind,” Riley also showed that nothing can dampen the human spirit. Even at the end, when she knew that she was going to turn, she chose to live every last second on her own terms. Because the world is going to come after you and try to rip you to shreds even without zombie/infected creatures out there. So you cherish each moment, make your own memories, and remember that “…we don’t quit. Whether it’s two minutes or two days, we don’t give that up.”
That Pivotal Hand Holding Scene Between Ellie & Joel
This scene between Ellie and Joel might be one of my favorites of the entire series. Because The Last of Us has shown the blossoming bond between these two develop over 6 episodes. But there is something about the way that Joel’s fingers curled around Ellie’s that tugs at my heart. Joel is 100% done with pretending that he doesn’t care for Ellie, that he did this for Tess, or that he wouldn’t do anything and everything to protect his young charge. He will, with everything he has, because she came back for him.
Joel really thought that he was going to die in that basement, alone and far from what he thinks is his last bit of family aka Tommy. But Ellie chose him. Not out of convenience because it might’ve been easier to leave him there and get to where she’s going ASAP. She chose him because he matters, is her priority, and is the closest thing she has to family in this fucked up world. And it was all beautifully shown by The Last of Us in the way that his hand held hers and the way that he looked at her.
This scene in “Left Behind” acts as the beginning of the end of a truly remarkable show that has paid tribute to where it came from while setting off on its own path. And it’s going to be interesting to see what people think of the divisive choices that these characters make when it comes to family. Because love changes you, from top to bottom. It also makes you look at the world differently and what you’re willing to sacrifice for an unforgiving one.
