If boiled down to its bones, Last of Us, is a commentary on the consequences of using violence as a tool for survival. In a world where hope is more scarce than food and shelter, surviving is not a necessity but a burden. However, in such an existence of pain, even death is not an escape. 

In the Last of Us, violence and survival walk parallelly. Strength and lack of empathy are vital skills one has to acquire in order to survive. But even in such a world, which is consumed by darkness, one can “Look for the Light”, if they open their hearts and dare to fight for their love.

(Spoiler ahead)

The Last of Us is the embodiment of ‘When Life Gives You Lemons, Spray It Back in Its Eyes’

The classic phrase, ‘when life gives you lemons, make lemonades’ is a proverbial phrase used to encourage optimism and a positive can-do attitude in the face of adversity or misfortune. But in the world of TLOU, there is no place for positivity, instead, one has to take substantial risks and forcefully take what one wants. 

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The entire story revolves around Joel and Ellie. An unlikely duo that developed paternal feelings through their harsh journey. In the very first episode, the audience witnessed Joel losing his daughter in front of his eyes. Years later, he got another chance to become a father, and he didn’t leave any room for effort. 

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In the story, we see Joel committing severe acts of violence, all in the name of saving his newfound daughter, Ellie. Ellie herself goes through a lot of suffering. From raiders to cannibals, she fights to save herself and her only family, Joel. They turn their pain, their suffering into aggression and return it to the ones to subject them to that dire situation. 

Not just Joel and Ellie, but other characters such as the rebel brothers Henry and Sam or the survivalist Bill and optimist Frank, all suffer from the harshness of life. But instead of accepting it and rotting away in a corner or living a fate worse than death, they fight. They fight back till their last breath, to win a chance, to be happy.

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In the upcoming episode 9 of the Last of Us, the epic journey of violence and hope will come to an end (for now). Our protagonists will witness a last test of life, where they have to adapt and survive to show it, who is the boss!