Does Ellie Know What Joel Did to the Fireflies? The Truth in the HBO Series and the Game

One of the most debated questions among  The Last of Us fans is whether Ellie ever learns the truth about Joel’s actions at the Firefly hospital.

In this pivotal moment, Joel chooses to save Ellie at the cost of humanity’s potential cure, which forms the emotional backbone of both the HBO series and the original video game.

Did Joel Tell Ellie the Truth in the HBO Series?

In the season 1 finale of HBO’s The Last of Us, Joel and Ellie finally reach the Fireflies’ hospital in Salt Lake City. Joel is knocked out and, upon waking, learns that the Fireflies plan to operate on Ellie to try to create a cure, a procedure that will kill her.

Unable to accept this, Joel goes on a violent rampage, killing the Fireflies-including their leader Marlene-and rescues an unconscious Ellie.

When Ellie wakes up, she asks Joel what happened. Joel lies, telling her that the Fireflies had stopped searching for a cure and that there were many other immune people like her, but none had led to a breakthrough.

He insists that nothing could have been done, shielding her from the truth that he killed the Fireflies to save her life.

This lie is a central theme of the show’s conclusion. Joel’s motivation is to protect Ellie from the trauma of knowing she was denied the chance to save humanity and to prevent her from possibly sacrificing herself if she knew the truth.

What Happens in the Game? Does Ellie Find Out?

The events in the original The Last of Us video game closely mirror the HBO adaptation. Joel’s massacre of the Fireflies and subsequent lie to Ellie are nearly identical. 

In the game, as in the show, Ellie directly asks Joel if what he said about the Fireflies is true. Joel reassures her with a lie, and Ellie-clearly unconvinced-asks him to swear he’s telling the truth. Joel does, and Ellie simply replies, “Okay,” ending the game ambiguously.

However, the story doesn’t end there. In The Last of Us Part II, which takes place several years later, it is revealed that Ellie eventually learns the truth.

Early in the sequel, Joel confesses to Ellie that he lied about the Fireflies and the cure. This revelation devastates Ellie and creates a rift between them, shaping much of the emotional conflict in the second game.

Why Did Joel Lie to Ellie?

Joel’s decision to lie is rooted in his deep attachment to Ellie. Having lost his own daughter at the start of the outbreak, Joel cannot bear the thought of losing Ellie, who has become a surrogate daughter to him.

His choice is selfish and protective: he wants to keep Ellie safe but cannot face the pain of losing her.

Will Ellie Learn the Truth in Future Seasons of the HBO Series?

Based on the video game’s storyline, it is expected that Ellie will discover Joel’s lie in HBO’s The Last of Us season 2. This confrontation is a major plot point in The Last of Us Part II.

It is likely to be a focal moment in the upcoming season, further exploring the consequences of Joel’s actions and the impact on his relationship with Ellie.

About The Last of Us 2

The second season of The Last of Us, premiering on HBO on April 13, 2025, continues the post-apocalyptic story based on Naughty Dog’s video game franchise.

Set five years after the first season, Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) now live in Jackson, Wyoming, alongside Tommy (Gabriel Luna), Dina (Isabela Merced), and Jesse (Young Mazino).

Renewed shortly after its January 2023 debut, the season adapts The Last of Us Part II, with co-creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann joined by writers Halley Gross and Bo Shim. Filmed in British Columbia (February–August 2024), the seven-episode season features directing by Druckmann, Mazin, Peter Hoar, Kate Herron, Nina Lopez-Corrado, Mark Mylod, and Stephen Williams. Gustavo Santaolalla returns as composer.