This Shocking Theory About Joel’s Death Changes Everything in The Last of Us!

by

In the second season of “The Last of Us,” Joel’s demise packs a powerful punch. The initial season follows Joel’s unwilling journey, becoming a surrogate father to Ellie, a girl who is immune to the world-wide infection. His goal is to escort her to an organization called the Fireflies, who believe they can create a cure using her. However, once Joel enters the picture, he faces a heart-wrenching decision: either let the Fireflies kill Ellie to make the cure, or sacrifice the Fireflies to save his newly found family member. In the end, he opts for the latter, which leads directly to his death in Season 2.

As a fan looking back, when the girl I inadvertently orphaned by one of my actions reappeared five years on, I came to terms with my destiny. I didn’t beg for mercy because deep down, I knew I’d make those same choices again if given another shot. Yet, the second season of the HBO series is introducing a significant alteration to the events following my demise that has left me pondering and theorizing about its implications.

The following contains SPOILERS for The Last of Us: Part II game.

Joel’s Final Resting Place in The Last of Us Season 2 Is a Hard Sell

In contrast to the video game “The Last of Us Part II”, its upcoming Season 2 is based on where Ellie endures a three-month hospital stay following her altercation with Abby and her group. After Manny delivers a brutal kick to her abdomen, she’s left in a weakened state requiring time to recover, much like the community of Jackson that survives an infected invasion but sustains significant damage. This period allows everyone some time for reflection. Upon leaving the hospital, Ellie and Dina are prepared to discuss with Tommy their plans for revenge against Joel’s killer.

Tommy openly expresses his backing for the group and eagerness to aid them, yet he requires authorization from the council prior, as there’s a considerable amount of work left undone with limited available labor. In the interim, he advises Ellie to pay respects at Joel’s burial site, located about ten miles beyond town limits. The significance of this may seem minor, but in contrast to the game, the show placed Joel’s grave within Jackson’s boundaries. Tommy doesn’t offer an explanation for why they bury their deceased so far from home, though it could be a precaution to keep infected individuals away from populated areas. However, another reasonable explanation might arise if HBO chooses to explore this aspect further.

Joel’s Ghost Always Looms Large in The Last of Us Part II

In the second season of “The Last of Us,” it’s evident that no one is willing to accept Joel’s death peacefully. Quick-witted Dina swiftly devises a strategy to locate Abby and her group, and once Ellie gets approval, she jumps right in. The storyline unfolds in a similar manner in “Part II,” though Dina doesn’t have as strong a stake in the game. Together, they make their way to Seattle and eliminate most of Abby’s team. However, Abby becomes aware of their actions and kills Jesse and wounds Tommy before focusing on Dina. With no other choice, Ellie retreats and returns to Jackson with Dina, her task unfinished.

Over the following twelve months, Ellie and Dina reside on a rural property near Jackson, accompanied by Dina’s child, JJ. Despite their efforts to progress, Ellie finds it difficult, but when Tommy provides her with a clue about Abby, she decides to abandon her tranquil existence.

It’s uncertain if the narrative of The Last of Us Seasons 2 and 3 will follow the same path as the game, given that HBO has limited time to cover all the content. To make Ellie’s struggles more authentic in live-action, it might be beneficial for the farm where she and Dina reside to serve as Joel’s final resting place. With her connection to Jackson fading away, Ellie could persuade Dina to stay near Joel, who continues to haunt her thoughts. This proximity to Joel may lead her to abandon any hope of forming a genuine family.

The Last of Us Season 2 is streaming on Max.

Read More

2025-05-01 00:42