Last of Us 2's Final Scene Was Almost at the Start, Troy Baker Reveals

Did you know that The Last of Us 2's most heartbreaking moment almost happened at a totally different point in the story? Troy Baker, the voice of Joel, just dropped a behind-the-scenes bombshell that changes how you might see that final conversation.

In a recent Party Chat interview, Baker reacted to the game's closing scene six years after release. If you've played it, you know the moment: a pre-death conversation between Joel and Ellie where she says, "I don't think I can ever forgive you for that... But I would like to try." Joel, fighting back tears, replies, "I'd like that." It's a gut-punch that leaves their relationship unresolved, and that's exactly what makes it so powerful.

But here's the twist: originally, that scene was supposed to play right before everything goes down, not at the very end. Baker says he had "no idea" it would be moved to the finale until afterwards. "And originally, that scene was supposed to play right before everything goes down," he explained. "And to put it at the end, it's just like, 'Oh god,' it's so good."

Even more interesting? The scene almost included a hug. Baker revealed that director Neil Druckmann had scripted Ellie to hug Joel, but Ashley Johnson (Ellie) pushed back. "Ashley was like, 'I'm not there yet, I can't,'" Baker recalled. "It's not that she was right, but it's better that they don't get that hug, that we leave it in the tense, we leave it unresolved." That choice keeps the emotional wound open, and honestly, it's hard to imagine it any other way.

Moving the scene to the end also recontextualizes Ellie's entire revenge spree. As the article notes, Abby didn't just kill Joel—she robbed Ellie of the chance to tell him she loved him. That adds another layer of tragedy to Ellie's rage, making her journey even more understandable. It's a reminder that letting go of grudges is healthy, but our hearts don't always cooperate when it comes to the people we love.

Baker's reaction to watching the scene again? Pure emotion. "God damn, Ashley Johnson," he says, tearful. "We spent all day on that scene." It's clear this moment meant as much to the actors as it did to us.

So, does this change how you see the ending? Would you have preferred the hug, or was the unresolved tension the right call? Let us know in the comments—and maybe it's time for another playthrough.