The Last of Us: Part II finale was originally scripted at the start

The final porch conversation between Ellie and Joel in The Last of Us: Part II was originally scripted to happen at the very beginning of the game, before Joel's death. Naughty Dog moved this pivotal scene to the end to serve as a stronger emotional conclusion for players. This narrative adjustment transforms what was initially intended as an opening hook into a haunting conclusion for the story.

Naughty Dog moved the pivotal scene to the end for stronger emotional impact

The development team at Naughty Dog made this structural change to better align with the story's emotional arc. Troy Baker, who voices Joel, noted that the new placement made the episode significantly stronger. The repositioning allows the game to build tension toward a definitive end rather than resolving the relationship early.

Voice actress Ashley Johnson, who plays Ellie, had objections to the original script's ending of the conversation. The initial draft concluded the scene with a hug between the two characters. Johnson argued that Ellie was not ready for such intimacy after the traumatic events at the Fireflies hospital. She preferred to leave the relationship defined by uncertainty and tension rather than closure.

The decision to keep the characters apart reflects a commitment to narrative consistency following the hospital sequence. Johnson's feedback ensured that Ellie's emotional state remained consistent with her recent trauma. The final game presents this unresolved tension as a core part of the ending experience.

Source: IXBT