The Last of Us Episode 1 Recap: What Happened
In 2003, Joel attempts to flee Austin with his daughter Sarah as the outbreak begins, only for her to be killed by a soldier. Twenty years later, Joel is a cynical smuggler in the Boston QZ who is tasked with escorting a mysterious girl named Ellie to a group of rebels.
The Nightmare In Austin
The series opens with a harrowing sequence as Joel, his brother Tommy, and his daughter Sarah witness their neighborhood descend into chaos. As the Cordyceps infection turns their neighbors into monsters, they attempt to drive to safety, but they are met with a military blockade. In the confusion, Sarah is shot and dies in Joel's arms, a trauma that leaves him an emotionally hollow man for the next two decades.
A Job For Marlene
Twenty years later, Joel and his partner Tess are hired by Marlene, the leader of the Fireflies, to smuggle a teenage girl named Ellie out of the city. During their escape, they are caught by a FEDRA guard and discover that Ellie is infected. However, Ellie reveals a bite mark that is weeks old, proving that she is the only person on Earth who hasn't turned after an encounter with the fungus.
Episode Cliffhanger
Joel, Tess, and Ellie step into the rainy ruins of Boston, beginning a journey that will change the course of humanity.