Why Does Henry Kill Himself?
Short Answer
Henry kills himself after shooting infected Sam because his entire reason for surviving was protecting his brother.
Why It Matters
This question matters because it connects Henry, Sam, Joel Miller to the larger conflict rather than treating the moment as a twist in isolation.
What It Changes
The answer reshapes how viewers read the surrounding episodes: character choices, world rules, and the ending all become clearer once this point is understood.
Related Characters, Places, and Concepts
More Questions About Henry
Sam turns because he is bitten during the Kansas City escape, and Ellie's blood cannot cure him despite her desperate hope.
Joel lied to protect Ellie from guilt and to ensure she would stay with him.
Bill and Frank build a life together in Lincoln, grow old in relative safety, and choose to die peacefully together after Frank becomes terminally ill.
Joel saves Ellie from the hospital because the Fireflies would have killed her to try to create a cure. His choice is driven by love, trauma, and fear of losing another daughter figure, but it also destroys Ellie’s chance to choose for herself.
Ellie's 'Okay' suggests that she does not fully believe Joel, but chooses to accept his lie to preserve their relationship.
Joel becomes protective of Ellie because she replaces the emotional role of his daughter Sarah.