The Last of Us Season 2: Joel’s Shocking Death Was a Necessary Twist

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**Warning: This article contains major spoilers for The Last of Us season 2 episode 2.**

After the surprising turn of events in the second episode, we’re now aware of the direction The Last of Us season 2 will take next.

Building on last week’s debut, the story subtly introduced the peaceful coexistence of Joel, Ellie, and Tommy (Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey, and Gabriel Luna respectively) in Jackson. By hinting at an impending wave of infected and Abby’s group closing in on the settlement, we were prepared for a level of conflict.

In a surprising turn of events, Joel was brutally taken by Abby (played by Kaitlyn Dever) in a long-planned act of revenge, while Ellie looked on helplessly, unable to prevent it, as Joel had previously been instrumental in saving her.

The initial response has been mixed – some gaming enthusiasts expected the impending turbulence, while others might view this as an error that signals the downfall of the series, although such an assessment could be misleading.

As a devoted cinema enthusiast, I’ve noticed that The Last of Us doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of its post-apocalyptic world, unlike some shows that maintain an unrealistic safety net for their characters or preserve fan favorites indiscriminately (with one notable exception). Shows like Game of Thrones have thrived on shocking deaths, while others like Orange Is the New Black and The Walking Dead have faced criticism following similar choices.

In The Last of Us series, it appears that characters often face the repercussions of their decisions, and Joel’s eventual demise seems to be no exception. For instance, Tess chose to risk her life by smuggling Ellie across the country, only to meet her end; Kathleen, driven by revenge, disregarded the dangers posed by the infected, leading to her downfall along with her army; and Henry took his own life when he couldn’t bear the guilt of shooting his infected brother.

It’s up to us if we believe Joel could peacefully retire in Jackson, having quelled the Fireflies rebellion and developing a vaccine. But that outcome was unlikely from the start. In this series, no character escapes unscathed – not even Joel Miller.

As a movie buff, I’d rephrase that as: Even film enthusiasts like me aren’t exempt from making decisions we might later wish we hadn’t. Joel won’t look back on his decision to save Ellie with regret, but it was his act of killing the Fireflies that ultimately sealed his destiny. To viewers, though, this grim choice can be seen as a balance between saving Ellie and fulfilling his duty.

For Abby, the man who callously killed her defender father, who was trying to protect humanity, is the most despicable individual she can imagine. Without remorse, he ended the lives of her entire family at the hospital. Though Joel may have been a complex character, morally ambiguous or otherwise, in the eyes of the survivors, he was nothing more than a ruthless, cold-blooded killer who mercilessly took out 18 people in an instant.

As a movie enthusiast, I’ve been following Joel’s journey, and while he never claimed to be admirable, his past actions have been clear for all to see. He’s trying to redeem himself, but the question remains: Can someone erase the damage they’ve caused?

Joel finds himself in the company of other complex characters like Walter White and Don Draper – men who, despite their terrible deeds, are glorified by some due to a refusal to delve deeper into their characterization. They are often celebrated for more than just their masculinity or the ‘impressive’ actions they take. Instead, it seems that their flaws and complexities are overlooked, making them seem larger-than-life and even heroic in the eyes of some viewers.

The course of the series has been significantly altered. From now on, Ellie and Abby will take center stage. Our previous focus on our found family is now behind us, as we delve into a complex relationship driven by an unrelenting thirst for retribution, fueled by blind rage. Ramsey will have the opportunity to shape Ellie’s character, while Abby, Dina, and Jesse will introduce us to the first generation who have only known a fractured world.

As a movie reviewer, I found myself deeply moved by the complex dynamics between Abby and Ellie in this gripping narrative. Both characters embody a relentless pursuit for justice that feels authentic and resonant. Abby’s rage and thirst for vengeance are palpable, especially considering the presumed deception she experienced at Joel’s hands. Ellie, too, grapples with her own need for revenge, which is equally understandable in light of her loss.

In essence, these two characters mirror one another; they embody the duality of pain and anger that arises from a futile quest for retribution. Killing Joel will not bring Abby’s father back to life, just as taking down Abby cannot restore Joel to us. The cycle of vengeance is a destructive one, but it serves as a poignant reminder of the human capacity for forgiveness and healing.

Even though Ellie and Abby’s journey is just getting started, Joel’s tale has reached its conclusion. He fulfilled the unfinished task of not being able to save Sarah by managing to save Ellie. Moreover, he reconciled with Tommy and regained his capacity for love. With twenty-five years having passed in the apocalypse at this point, it is now time for fresh protagonists to step forward.

How does Joel’s death in the Last of Us differ from the game?

In The Last of Us Part II, we’re shown fewer insights into Abby’s reasons for acting as she does. Accelerating this process is beneficial, since it would be agonizing to wait week after week to learn about her character and why she matters, given the complexity and depth she brings. This approach may also help reduce online hostility towards Dever, the actress who performs Abby’s motion capture and provides her voice. For years, Laura Bailey has faced relentless criticism for merely embodying a richly developed female character.

In the game, the storyline doesn’t emphasize on the infected throng storming the city walls of Jackson. Instead, this event appears to be a red herring, and as our main characters move further away from Jackson, we tend to lose track of it in the narrative.

In the thrilling world of cinema I’m immersed in, my character, Joel, teams up with Tommy during our last mission. Along the way, we encounter a newcomer named Abby. On-screen, my partner shifts from Joel to Dina, leaving Tommy and Maria to protect Jackson. Meanwhile, Ellie finds herself paired with Jesse instead of Dina.

The main elements are consistent, including the scenery and the injury inflicted by a gunshot to the knee and excessive violence with a golf club. But instead of a series of punches causing Abby’s death in the game, it is another blow from the golf club that proves fatal, with the broken end piercing through her neck this time.

It appears that our storylines may follow similar themes, and based on unseen shots of Joel from the trailer, it seems likely that this season will feature numerous poignant flashbacks showing Joel and Ellie’s relationship over the years between seasons 1 and 2.

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2025-04-21 13:34