The Last Of Us was a PlayStation exclusive from developer Naughty Dog that was originally released in 2013. The game follows an older survivor with an emotionally-heartbreaking past as he's tasked with smuggling a young girl with a special gift across the country.
In a post-apocalyptic world filled with both fungal and human dangers, the two meet plenty of unforgettable people along the way. It's important to appreciate the journey in its entirety and look back at the entrances and exits of The Last Of Us' most notable characters.
8 David
- First - "Um, name's David, this here's my friend James. We're from a larger group -- women, children. We're all very, very hungry."
- Last - "You think you know me? Huh? Well, let me tell you somethin'. You have no idea what I'm capable of."
Something was off about David from the very moment he introduced himself. Naughty Dog did an excellent job of sneakily foreshadowing the reveal that David led a group of cannibals by having him mention that his group was very, very hungry in his opening line. David's biggest character flaw was his hubris and unwavering confidence. In his final moments, he decided to use fear in an effort to scare Ellie, not knowing that her heart was filled with hate and vengeance, and she was waiting for a reason to instill violence.
7 Bill
- First - "Get off your ass and on your feet!"
- Last - "Then get the fuck out of my town."
The beauty of Bill as a character is that he is a representative of the LGBTQ+ community, and it's revealed in a way that feels natural and authentic. He's a tough individual to read as he works alongside Joel and Ellie, but with the underlying understanding that the alliance is based on mutual gain. He isn't afraid to shout demands when action is needed and introduces himself to Ellie by shouting at her to get up. The realities of survival set in when Bill utters the last words Ellie and Joel hear from him as he commands them to leave his town following an altercation in which they come close to death, but narrowly escape.
6 Marlene
- First - "You can still rise with us. Remember, when you're lost in the darkness... look for the light. Believe in the Fireflies."
- Last - "Wait! Let me go. Please."
The best story-telling expertly showcases how every antagonist sees themselves as the one doing the right thing. Speaking gospel and acting as a savior the way Marlene does in her opening dialog is a useful leadership tool, but it can also push away those who may interpret the entire thing as an act. Most people fear death, and at the moment in which it can be taken from you, you'll beg to be spared. Marlene's final words are just that, as she asks for Joel to spare her life.
5 Tess
- First - "How was your morning? Want one?"
- Last - "No, just go! Just fucking go."
Without her introduction, you'd assume that Tess was a tough-as-nails smuggler who only cared about her vested interests. That may be mostly true, but she also happened to care for those she was close with. She was Joel's long-time partner when it came to smuggling and served as a bridge relationship for Joel between the loss of his daughter and his formed relationship with Ellie.
Tess cared for Joel and since they were partners for so long, she knew when he had a rough day, made clear by her first line in the game. Despite her selfish tendencies, in her final moments, she sacrifices herself so that Joel and Ellie could survive, dismantling the crueler side of her forged by her surrounding circumstances.
4 Tommy
- First - "Sarah, honey, I need you to get your daddy on the phone."
- Last - "There's a place for you here, you know."
Though Tommy Miller's name can be heard at the beginning of the game, it isn't until the outbreak occurs that his voice can be heard. Tommy is a much more empathetic and compassionate man than his brother Joel. The two didn't always see eye-to-eye, especially when Tommy pursued a new life meaning by joining the Fireflies. His empathy made him realize that scaring Sarah would have done nothing for the situation and calmly asking for her father helped alleviate some worry. This same perspective is clear when he offers Joel and Ellie a safe place to stay, with the understanding that his brother would likely decline.
3 Ellie
- First - "Get the fuck away from her!"
- Last - "Swear to me. Swear to me that everything that you said about the Fireflies is true."
Ellie is such a complex character considering the journey she goes on throughout The Last of Us series. She begins as a combative and vengeful person who simply wants to protect those she cares about. Her secret immunity also makes it so she has a tough time trusting others she feels might use her. This lack of trust is immediately recognizable as Ellie is introduced by brandishing a knife against Joel when they first meet. Ellie's growing closeness with Joel and her eventual trust in him are the primary focus of her final line in the game. It's a question asking for reassurance from Joel that he's being honest about what happened with the Fireflies.
2 Sarah
- First - "Fun day at work, huh?"
- Last - "Daddy, what about uncle Tommy?"
Sarah Miller is Joel's daughter and a character who serves a critical role during the game's opening moments. Ultimately it's her death that changes the way Joel approach's the post-outbreak world and is likely why he loses his faith in humanity. The similarities between Sarah and Ellie are apparent, which likely endears Joel to Ellie.
Sarah and Joel have a loving relationship where they like poking fun at one another which is evident in her first line. She's also deeply empathetic and in the scariest moments of her life, all she can think about is whether or not her uncle Tommy is safe or not. The world didn't deserve her.
1 Joel
- First - "Tommy I- Tommy. Tommy listen to me, he is the contractor. He's the contractor, okay? I can't lose this job. I understand..."
- Last - "I swear."
Joel Miller is a character that experiences such heartbreak and tremendous trauma that it ultimately changes who he is at his core. The once lovable father molds himself into a ruthless smuggler who's simply trying to take things a day at a time following the cordyceps brain infection outbreak. You're first introduced to him as he talks to his brother on his phone, expressing that keeping his job is much more important than any drama. Familial bonds and relationships are important to Joel. His final line in The Last Of Us has him lying to Ellie when she asks him if what he said of the Fireflies was true. Joel felt he had to protect her by lying to her, and he'd do anything to protect those he loved.