Zendaya praises the extraordinary performance of her colleague from Euphoria, Storm Reid, in the seventh episode of The Last of Us. Titled “Left Behind,” the episode is a flashback that sees Ellie’s friend Riley (Reid) return to the Boston Quarantine Zone and take Ellie to an abandoned mall for a night of fun before her departure to Atlanta. Unfortunately, their night is ravaged by an infection, leaving both girls bloodied and bitten.
Zendaya took to social media, praising Reid’s performance in The Last of Us. With a simple heart, Zendaya praises the critically acclaimed work Reid put into the episode of The Last of Us. Here’s what she shared:
“Why Riley Was Vital For Ellie’s Journey in The Last of Us”
Based on the original story add-on from The Last of Us video game of the same name, “Left Behind” tells the origin of Ellie’s bite. The revelation of her immunity is the impetus for the Firefly’s new mission and for Joel’s employment as a smuggler by the revolutionary faction. It also sets up a major character motivation for Ellie through a painful loss.
Prior to the events of “Left Behind,” Ellie and Riley had developed a strong friendship at school in the Boston Quarantine Zone. However, after Riley returned after an unplanned six-week absence, Ellie expressed her romantic interest in Riley, ending the night with a kiss. The promise of a better future with Riley is taken from her in the grip of an infected. The two decide to go through the infection together, where Riley’s fate is left ambiguous.
That fateful night proved to be an important moment in Ellie’s growth, with her first kiss, her first love and her first murder. Ellie’s trauma at losing her fuels her desire to use her blood to find a cure for the Cordyceps fungal infection plaguing the world. Ellie’s determination is clearly evident in The Last of Us, as she fought alongside Joel throughout their perilous journey in the hope that no one else will ever have to suffer the same fate as Riley.