The Hidden World of The Last of Us: Unveiling the Mysteries of Cordyceps Fungus

The highly anticipated HBO adaptation of The Last Of Us breathes life into the captivating narrative of the beloved video game. Follow Joel (played by Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (played by Bella Ramsey) as they navigate through a treacherous and pandemic-ravaged United States, desperately evading infection from the Cordyceps fungus. While Ellie possesses immunity, both she and Joel find themselves in a perilous and harrowing predicament.

But is the Cordyceps fungus a real entity? How exactly does it propagate within The Last Of Us? And do our protagonists fall victim to its contagious grip? With numerous inquiries surrounding the Cordyceps within The Last Of Us, the show dutifully unravels all the pertinent mysteries for its audience.

What Is The Cordyceps Fungus In The Last Of Us?

The Last Of Us is widely regarded as one of the finest survival games, as it revolves around the transformative effects of the Cordyceps fungus on infected individuals. In September 2013, alarming reports surfaced regarding this devastating fungus, capturing the attention of people across the United States. Initially, the outbreak originated in South American crops, leading to widespread illness.

Reacting to this dire situation, people adopted drastic changes in their behavior, believing that maintaining distance from others while being outdoors would minimize the risk of infection. The game's characters even went as far as donning gas masks for protection. Interestingly, while the game unfolds with the fungus originating in South America, the television series takes a refreshing creative approach by setting the outbreak's origins in Jakarta. This alteration stands out as one of the remarkable adjustments that The Last Of Us successfully implemented.

In The Last Of Us, the Cordyceps brain infection progresses through four distinct stages. Initial symptoms include a swift decline in logical thinking, followed by a transformation into a terrifying and violent state within two days of infection. The second stage, occurring within two weeks, impairs the infected person's vision, making it increasingly challenging for them to see properly. By the time twelve months have passed, complete blindness sets in, accompanied by severe facial scarring. Even in this state, the infected individual may live for up to ten years before entering the subsequent phase of the infection, characterized by the emergence of "fungal plates" on their body.

The most horrifying aspect of the Cordyceps brain infection is its ability to spread even after death. Once infected, the body releases spores that can infect others, perpetuating the cycle of the infection.

Cordyceps are indeed genuine, and the infection does indeed propagate among ants. Discover Wildlife states that ants become infected by O. unilateralis, resulting in the creation of spores that can then infect other ants. In addition to ants, the Cordyceps fungus also infects various insects, all with the purpose of seeking out new hosts to infect.

How Do People Get Infected By Cordyceps In The Last Of Us?

In The Last Of Us, there are two methods through which characters can become infected by Cordyceps. One way involves coming into contact with spores released from the deceased body of an infected individual. Alternatively, the infected person can transmit the infection through biting. Both scenarios are undeniably terrifying to contemplate.

Does Joel Get Infected In The Last Of Us?

The pilot episode of The Last Of Us retains key elements from the game, including the gripping origin story of the infection. What sets these infected characters apart from traditional zombies is their terrifying nature, largely due to the rapid spread of the infection. Journeying across the United States, Joel and Ellie face constant tension and a pervasive sense of terror. The looming presence of potential horrors is palpable, with both characters acutely aware of the constant threat they face.

Joel's character development has consistently remained robust, and this remains true in The Last Of Us TV series. One pivotal inquiry surrounding the inaugural season of the HBO adaptation revolves around Joel's potential infection. Remarkably, he manages to evade the clutches of the Cordyceps fungus, and there exists a compelling explanation for this unforeseen outcome.

In the captivating and emotional episode "Long, Long Time" of The Last Of Us season 1, there is a poignant scene where Joel and Ellie discuss the origins of the virus that transformed people into zombie-like creatures. The viewers may recall that in the first episode, Joel's daughter Sarah (Nico Parker) intended to make pancakes for him but ended up cooking eggs instead. Interestingly, this decision ensured that Joel avoided consuming pancake mix or flour contaminated with the Cordyceps fungus.

Joel provides an explanation, stating, "The prevailing theory is that the cordyceps fungus mutated and found its way into the food supply, possibly a common ingredient like flour or sugar. These particular food brands were widely distributed, both nationally and globally. Bread, cereal, pancake mix. Consuming a sufficient amount of these contaminated products could lead to infection."

The changes in Ellie's character in The Last Of Us are noticeable, but both she and Joel remain intelligent and captivating characters to follow. Their conversations about the Cordyceps fungus in the TV series are particularly chilling and leave a lasting impression.