Who (Spoiler) Is In The Last Of Us: Part 2

[WARNING: Major spoilers for The Last of Us: Part 2 below]

Players are introduced to JJ near the end of The Last of Us 2 when they wander around as Ellie in the farmhouse she shared with Dina. After learning Dina was pregnant during their journey to Seattle, and narrowly escaping their encounter with Abby, the couple settled down on a farm like they talked about in order to raise JJ together.

JJ’s full name is never revealed by the end of The Last of Us: Part 2, and the game’s creative director, Neil Druckmann, has revealed on Twitter the second “J” does not stand for “Junior.” Fan theories have suggested it’s a tribute to Jesse and Joel, both of whom died over the course of the game. It’s understandable Ellie would want to honor Joel, who was very much a father-like figure to her. But it may be more confusing why they chose to pay tribute to Jesse, who is technically Dina’s ex.

Even though he’s also Ellie’s best friend, there’s one reason specifically that makes sense as to why JJ is named after Jesse – Jesse is his dad. Although The Last of Us: Part 2 never actually mentions the baby’s paternity, they still manage to make it crystal clear through cut scenes as well as hints that can be discovered with a bit of searching that Jesse fathered JJ before he died.

Why Jesse Is JJ’s Dad In The Last Of Us 2

The Last of Us 2 makes it very clear that JJ is the son of Jesse. At the beginning of the game, players learn that Dina and Jesse had just broken up after several years together. After Dina becomes romantically involved with Ellie and joins her on a quest to avenge Joel’s death, she reveals that she’s pregnant. Ellie doesn’t even need to ask whose it is, considering The Last of Us: Part 2 makes it clear Jesse has been Dina’s only other partner in the last few years. When Jesse later catches up to them in Seattle, he asks Ellie whether Dina is pregnant. When she confirms it, he doesn’t feel the need to ask who the father is, since he knows he’s the only possibility. He’s also shown to be more protective over Dina after learning about her condition, insisting to Ellie that they return to Jackson County to properly care for Dina.

There’s more proof that JJ is Jesse’s child, even after Jesse dies. Players can find a note in Ellie and Dina’s farmhouse that appears written by Jesse’s mother. In the letter, she says Dina and JJ always have a place in their family at Jackson County. She also tells her the family doesn’t hold her responsible for Jesse’s untimely death. Also, in Ellie’s journal, players can find an entry in which she mentions that Jesse’s family came up to visit from Jackson County. Considering Dina had broken up with Jesse before his death, it only makes sense his family would do this if they believed JJ to be his.

Given all of the evidence scattered throughout The Last of Us 2, it seems clear that Jesse is the father of Dina’s son JJ.

Source: Neil Druckmann/Twitter

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