Jackson’s Dark Turn in The Last of Us Season 2: A Shocking Twist No One Saw Coming

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

In The Last of Us season 2, I wasn’t prepared for Jackson town to be in such a ruined state as the trailers hinted, but it adds an intense dramatic twist to the narrative. The second episode, titled “Through the Valley,” expands on the cliffhanger from the premiere by unleashing a swarm of infected right onto Jackson’s defenses. As the residents defend themselves with guns, flamethrowers, and barrels of inflammable liquids, it escalates into an epic battle reminiscent of a large-scale engagement from Game of Thrones.

In a clever twist by creators Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin, they subtly misled the non-gaming viewers into believing that the character Joel might die, when in fact, he did not. This was achieved through the attack on Jackson, creating an illusion of impending doom as the bloater closed in on Tommy. However, the major character who ultimately perished was not Joel but Abby, who fulfilled her promise to kill Joel brutally and painfully. The unexpected infected invasion of the town served not only to divert attention from Joel’s survival but also enriched the storyline for the Jackson community.

The Infected Horde Invading Jackson Was A Surprising Twist In The Last Of Us Season 2 Episode 2

The Infected Never Get Inside Jackson’s Walls In The Game

In The Last of Us season 2, it was quite unexpected when a swarm of infected breached the fortifications of Jackson. Previously in the game, Tommy had stated that the town had repelled infected assaults before, but on-screen, no such incidents occurred near the town walls. Despite numerous infected roaming in areas such as the supermarket during Ellie and Dina’s patrol, they never approached the town itself. Therefore, this massive horde approaching the gates marks a significant deviation from the original content.

In the game “The Last of Us,” Tommy, rather than Dina, accompanies Joel on patrol and is the one who meets Abby. This situation allowed Tommy to have a significant part in the storyline, even though he was back at Jackson, bravely protecting the community from the infected invasion. This event also provided an excellent chance to depict how the people of Jackson rallied together as a close-knit community during a crisis.

The Invasion Gives Jackson An Important Storyline For The Last Of Us Season 2

The Town Has A Long Road To Recovery Ahead

Jackson successfully withstood the infected attack, however, the town suffered a catastrophic blow. Many lives were lost, bodies soaked in blood litter the streets, several structures have been destroyed, ammunition stores are depleted, and worst of all, the defenses have been breached. The town faces a long and arduous journey to rebuild. Meanwhile, Ellie will be embarking on her own quest to track down Abby and her companions in Seattle, but the aftermath of the invasion ensures that The Last of Us maintains some emphasis on the community’s struggle for survival and recovery.

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2025-04-22 12:27