Everyone remembers the first time they played through The Last of Us Part II. The gut-punches. The misery. Most of the discourse centers on Joel, Ellie, or Abby. But then there's Jesse. He's arguably the most level-headed person in the entire franchise, yet he's often reduced to a side-note. People call him the "baby daddy" or the "useful friend." Honestly, that's a disservice to one of the few characters who actually had his head on straight in a world gone mad.
Jesse is the moral anchor. He’s the guy who shows up when things are falling apart, not because he wants revenge, but because he gives a damn about his people.
Jesse in The Last of Us: More Than Just a Supporting Act
When you first meet Jesse in Jackson, he’s leading patrols. He’s a natural leader. While Ellie is stewing in her own teenage angst and Joel is trying to be a "regular" dad, Jesse is out there doing the work. He’s dependable. It's why Maria trusts him so much. You’ve probably noticed that even after Dina dumps him, there’s no weirdness. At least, not on his end. He’s mature enough to realize that life goes on.
Then Seattle happens.
Jesse doesn't go to Seattle for blood. He goes because Tommy left, and then Ellie and Dina left. He goes to bring them home. Think about that for a second. While everyone else is on a suicide mission fueled by hate, Jesse is on a rescue mission fueled by loyalty. He manages to track Ellie down in the middle of a literal war zone between the WLF and the Seraphites. That takes some serious skill.
The Problem With How Jesse Dies
His death is arguably the most jarring moment in the game. It’s not "grand." There’s no final speech. No slow-motion tragedy. Just a door opening, a flash of light, and he’s gone. Abby shoots him in the face the second he bursts into that theater lobby.
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It feels cheap to some players.
I’ve seen people complain that Naughty Dog just "threw him away." But that’s the point, isn't it? In this world, you don't always get a hero's exit. Sometimes you just get a bullet. It’s supposed to be unceremonious because that’s how violence works in The Last of Us. One second you’re planning a trip back to Jackson, and the next, you’re a memory.
Playing as Jesse in No Return
If you felt robbed of time with him in the main story, the No Return mode in the Remastered version actually lets you step into his boots. It’s a totally different vibe. Jesse is built for players who like to be resourceful. He’s got this "Gorilla" upgrade branch that focuses on craftables and stealth.
- Starting Gear: He kicks off with a silenced pistol and a pipe bomb.
- The Perk: He earns 30% more currency.
- The Vibe: You’re basically playing as the "prep king" of Jackson.
Playing as him highlights his tactical side. He’s not a powerhouse like Joel or a speedster like Ellie. He’s a survivor who uses his head. He starts with a silencer recipe, which basically tells you everything you need to know about how he operates. He’s quiet, efficient, and avoids unnecessary risks—which makes his sudden death in the main story even more of a "wrong place, wrong time" tragedy.
Why Jesse and Dina’s Relationship Matters
Dina and Jesse's "off-and-on" history adds a layer of realism to Jackson. It feels like a small town. People date, they break up, they stay friends because they have to. When Dina reveals she’s pregnant with Jesse’s kid, it complicates everything for Ellie. But look at how Jesse handles it.
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He doesn't get possessive. He doesn't try to "win her back." He just accepts that Ellie is the one Dina wants to be with. He even helps Ellie when she’s struggling. That kind of emotional maturity is rare in a game where everyone else is stabbing each other over slights from years ago.
The Voice and Face Behind the Character
Stephen Chang did the performance capture and voice for Jesse. He’s talked before about how the Naughty Dog team let him bring a lot of his own personality to the role. That "cool under pressure" attitude? That was a deliberate choice. He wanted Jesse to feel like a guy you could actually rely on.
Interestingly, for the face model, they used Jasper Jeon. The combination works perfectly. Jesse looks like someone who has spent a lot of time outdoors but hasn't lost his humanity to the "darkness" of the world yet.
Some fans have pointed out that Jesse is the "Henry" of Part II. He’s the companion who makes you feel safe, right up until the moment the game reminds you that safety is an illusion.
What Jesse Leaves Behind
After the credits roll, Jesse's legacy is literally the only "good" thing left. JJ—Dina’s son—is named after Joel and Jesse. It’s a bit on the nose, sure. But it’s a reminder that even though Jesse is gone, the community-focused life he lived in Jackson continues.
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Dina eventually takes JJ back to Jackson to be with Jesse’s parents. It’s a quiet ending for his storyline. No revenge. No more blood. Just a kid growing up in a town his father helped keep safe.
If you’re revisiting the game or playing No Return, pay attention to his dialogue. He’s usually the only one asking, "Is this worth it?" or "What are we actually doing here?" He was the voice of reason. We just weren't listening as closely as we should have been.
Actionable Insights for Players:
If you want to get the most out of Jesse's character, don't just rush through the Seattle sections. Read Ellie’s journal entries from the early days in Jackson. They provide context on how Jesse was basically the "golden boy" of the community and why his loss hit the town so hard. In No Return, prioritize the Trading Post early. Since Jesse gets a currency boost, you can snowball into a high-tier build much faster than other characters. Use those extra parts to get the Crossbow as soon as possible; it fits his stealth-oriented kit perfectly.
Stop thinking of him as a side character. He was the moral compass the story eventually broke. That's worth remembering.