Game Theory: Ellie Is NOT Immune! (The Last of Us Part 2)

TL;DR

Ellie from The Last of Us is not immune to the zombie fungus, but rather infected with a different strain that suppresses her immune system.

Transcript

no cutesy jokes here let's just cut to the chase ellie isn't immune period end of story and today i'm gonna prove it to you because the implications of what this means for the entire franchise are huge [Applause] [Applause] hello internet welcome to game theory the show that was bit by an infected nerd back in 2009 and hasn't been showing any sympt... Read More

Key Insights

• 🌍 The Last of Us Part 2 revolves around Ellie seeking revenge in a violent post-apocalyptic world.
• 😷 Ellie's supposed immunity to the zombie fungus is debunked by analyzing the game's medical information.
• ❓ The strain of cordyceps that infects Ellie suppresses her immune system, explaining her inability to react to the infection like other characters.
• 👨‍🦳 Ellie's low white blood cell and red blood cell counts support the theory that she is infected with a different strain of cordyceps.
• 👾 The game's storyline and Ellie's abilities contradict scientific knowledge, but the explanation provides a more reasonable understanding of her condition.
• 🤰 Cordyceps unilateralis, the strain believed to infect Ellie, is a real fungus that turns ants into zombies.
• ❓ Another strain of cordyceps, cordyceps inflatum, can suppress the immune system, like the strain hypothesized to infect Ellie.
• 😷 Ellie's immunity to the zombie strain of cordyceps explains why she doesn't wear a mask in the game, as she is already infected with a different strain.

Questions & Answers

Q: Is Ellie immune to the zombie fungus in The Last of Us Part 2?

No, Ellie is not immune to the zombie fungus. She is infected with a different strain of cordyceps that suppresses her immune system.

Q: Why does Ellie's medical chart show low white blood cell and red blood cell counts?

The chart indicates that Ellie's immune system is not functioning properly. The strain of cordyceps she is infected with, known as cordyceps unilateralis, lowers her white blood cell and red blood cell counts.

Q: How does Ellie avoid being infected by the zombie strain of cordyceps in the game?

Ellie's infection with a different strain of cordyceps, likely cordyceps inflatum, protects her from being infected by the zombie strain. This other strain acts as an anti-fungal, preventing her from getting any other version of the fungus.

Q: Can Ellie's immunity be explained by real-world science?

While the game takes liberties with the science, the concept of different strains of cordyceps affecting humans is plausible. However, the specifics of Ellie's condition and the immunity it provides may not be scientifically accurate.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The Last of Us Part 2 revolves around Ellie seeking revenge in a violent post-apocalyptic world.

• Ellie is believed to be immune to the zombie fungus plaguing the world, but a closer look at the game's medical information reveals that she is infected with a different strain of cordyceps that suppresses her immune system.

• The game's storyline and Ellie's abilities contradict scientific knowledge, but the explanation provides a more reasonable understanding of her condition.