Warning! This article contains spoilers for The Last of Us episode 1 and game.HBO's The Last of Us episode 1 uses its longer-form storytelling to add elements to the stories of Joel and Tess, two main characters, seemingly confirming a longstanding game theory in the process. The Last of Us is created by Chernobyl showrunner Craig Mazin alongside the director and writer of both the original The Last of Us Part I game and The Last of Us Part II, Neil Druckmann. Due to Druckmann's involvement, the HBO show is already proving to follow the events of the game very closely, with only a few changes being made here and there to fit the TV medium.
These changes allow the characters to be explored in a much deeper way than the game characters of The Last Of Us already were. From The Last of Us episode 1's significantly expanded opening sequence featuring Sarah to the exploits of Joel and Tess in the Boston quarantine zone, the show is already proving the best course of action for video-game adaptations: expand on the original while not changing what made it great. Through these additions in The Last of Us episode 1, the show may have confirmed a longstanding theory surrounding Joel and Tess that was only subtly hinted at in the first game.
Are Joel & Tess In A Relationship?
The theory suggests Joel and Tess are in a relationship. In the game, the subtle hint to this comes after Joel and Tess reach the Massachusetts State House. Before Tess willingly stays behind to deal with the FEDRA agents chasing them, she implores Joel - played by Pedro Pascal in The Last of Us - to take Ellie to the Fireflies. To convince him, Tess states, "There's enough here that you have to feel some sort of obligation to me." This suggested that Joel and Tess are either currently in a relationship or have been before. The Last of Us episode 1 all but confirms the theory.
The Last Of Us Episode 1 Supports The Game's Theory
In The Last of Us episode 1, shortly after Joel passes out while trying to find leads on Tommy, Tess enters their apartment. Tess walks to the bed and rolls Joel to the other side before getting in behind him. She then puts her arm around Joel and falls asleep beside him, seemingly confirming that the two have some kind of relationship in HBO's The Last of Us video game adaptation. While this does not overtly confirm that the two are involved in a romantic relationship, it is clear enough that Joel and Tess are comfortable enough with each other to be somewhat intimate.
Through this scene, The Last of Us episode 1 is supporting the game theory in a way similar to what spawned it in the first place. While not openly confirming that Joel and Tess are a couple, there are hints of their past intimacy, similar to Tess's words in the game. With HBO's The Last of Us likely adapting the scene in the Massachusetts State House in episode 2, it will be interesting to see how the TV series continues to develop the idea of Joel and Tess' potentially romantic relationship after its premiere.
New episodes of The Last of Us release every Sunday on HBO.