The Last of Us has had a number of heartbreaking episodes, and episode seven was no different. With its gripping plots and endearing characters, Season 1 of the eagerly awaited TV version of the well-liked video game series has won over millions of fans’ hearts. But there is one character whose fate has left fans emotionally shattered: Riley Abel (Storm Reid), the close friend of Bella Ramsey’s Ellie. The latter recently embarked on a heartbreaking trip down memory lane, remembering one of their most agonizing experiences during episode 7.
The events of Ellie’s discovery that she was immune to infection were revealed in this episode. She and Riley spent a brief time playing in an abandoned shopping center, enjoying the same kind of fun that teenagers often do. Nevertheless, their happiness was short-lived, as they were both bitten by a clicker attack.
Naturally, Ellie proves to be immune, and as the episode comes to a close, we are left in the dark about Riley’s fate. According to Bella Ramsey, it is a good thing the scene was not made to leave that plot thread hanging.
WARNING: This article contains spoilers!
The Last of Us Season 1: What Happened To Riley Abel in Episode 7
Riley and Ellie’s story was the main focus of The Last of Us episode 7 (Left Behind), which ended with Riley’s future remaining somewhat mysterious. The latter started having flashbacks to the moments just prior to the first episode of the show after rescuing Joel and making an effort to halt the bleeding from the stabbing wound he sustained at the conclusion of episode 6.
Ellie’s encounter with Marlene and the fireflies, her bite, and her realization that she was immune were all prearranged by these incidents. Her relationship with Riley was highlighted prior to this, though. The latter’s future was actually left somewhat unclear, despite the tragic conclusion.
Riley and Ellie team up to fight off an infected host in the pivotal scene of The Last of Us, episode 7. However, both recognize they have been bitten and fear the worst after killing the infected.
Ellie described their final few hours together as “losing their minds”, and that was how episode 7 closed. The mystery surrounding Riley’s fate lingered because the other episodes of The Last of Us revealed what happened to Ellie. The former would have eventually become infected because Ellie is the only character in The Last of Us who is known to be immune.
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Bella Ramsey is Reflecting on The Last of Us Season 1’s Wise Decision
Significant implications for Ellie’s future storyline stem from Riley’s (Storm Reid) fate in episode 7 of The Last of Us. Without being explicitly shown, the latter’s death scene in the seventh episode echoes the conclusion of episode 3. Bella Ramsey discussed Riley’s last moments spent off-screen in ComicBook and Entertainment Tonight’s The Last of Pod:
“I think it’s up to people’s imaginations really. But from our point of view, I think Ellie probably had to make a really hard decision, and do something she really didn’t want to do, and experience great loss.”
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Ramsey continued, recalling a conversation from a previous episode in which Ellie claimed to have killed someone before, possibly Riley:
“I don’t know if we ever did explicitly agree, and I think it’s more powerful that it’s kept unspoken, and kept to people’s imaginations.”
It appears that the creators made a compassionate and considerate choice by choosing not to graphically portray Riley’s death. By sparing viewers the agony of this loss, the series makes it possible for viewers to appreciate the struggles of the characters while respecting the impact that the game had on long-term fans.
The second season is scheduled to premiere in 2025.
The Last of Us is streaming on HBO.
