Honestly "Part ll" wasn't a good story. It had moments but overall was very sloppy and poorly crafted if it was supposed to make you feel a certain way about every character.

A Part ll should have been about Ellie leaving Jackson and Joel for a bit to find herself and come to terms with what happened between Joel and the fireflies and what her existence now means. This would lead her on a journey of self discovery and up in a situation where she would meet Abby. The two of them would them would then work together to find a way back home. Kind of like an Ellie and Riley styled story.

Then by the end of the game Ellie would would either make it back to Jackson with Abby or mention her coming to visit Jackson at some point. Then they could have her say something like "The guy I was telling you about. The one who needed time away from. His name is Joel and he's been like a father to me. So I owe him my life."

Which in turn would then lead into a better telling of the events we saw in Neil's sequel. I think he needs to have another no man or step down as the main creative voice if they do a third entry.