Joel’s Tragic Death in The Last of Us Season 2: A Surprising TWD Parallel Unveiled

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Caution: Spoilers Ahead!

As a passionate film enthusiast immersed in the captivating world of ‘The Last of Us’, let me share some intriguing insights regarding the climactic events of Episode 2, Season 2. If you’re yet to explore all that has transpired thus far, tread carefully as we delve into the heart of this riveting tale.

As someone who’s more into films than gaming, having never played “The Last of Us” series, diving into HBO’s adaptation has been a refreshingly novel journey for me. Thus, you can picture my shock when Joel, one of the main characters, met an untimely end in just the second episode of its second season!

The demise of Pedro Pascal’s survivalist character evoked memories of one of the saddest scenes from a series that shares similarities with both “The Last of Us” and “The Walking Dead”. Although it may seem familiar, let me clarify that I am not referring to the episode where Joel meets his end, but instead another touching moment that resonates. Firstly, I’d like to acknowledge the parallels between Joel’s passing and the death of a beloved character from “The Walking Dead” before delving into the specific scene I have in mind.

Abby’s Brutal Actions Drew A Lot Of Comparisons To Negan Killing Glenn

As the daughter of a doctor brutally murdered by Joel at the end of “The Last of Us” Season 1, I, Abby (played menacingly and powerfully by Kaitlyn Dever), seize an opportunity to lure him, accompanied by Dina (Isabela Merced), to our sanctuary. Once my true motives are revealed, I mercilessly pummel him with a golf club until it shatters, then slowly but surely pierce his neck with the remaining handle as Joel’s foster daughter, Ellie (Bella Ramsey), bears witness.

In simpler terms, this intense scene reminds me of Glenn’s (Steven Yeun) heartbreaking death in “The Walking Dead,” especially Season 7 premiere where he was brutally killed by Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) with his bat Lucille, witnessed by his wife Maggie (Lauren Cohan). While the scene itself is vivid, it wasn’t immediately reminiscent of Glenn’s death for me; instead, Joel’s demise sparked a memory that might be considered controversial.

The Details Surrounding Joel’s Death Actually Reminded Me Of Lori’s Death In The Walking Dead

Even though Lori Grimes isn’t a favorite character for many “Walking Dead” fans, I’ve always found her compelling. Her death during childbirth, which occurred in just the fourth episode of the third season, struck me deeply. It remains one of the most shocking deaths in the series, as such an essential character was written off so early on.

I felt the same intense shock when Joel met an untimely end in his series, just as he did. Yet, it’s not only their premature deaths that share similarities; both Joel and Lori die during attacks by what are called “The Infected” in The Last of Us and “Walkers” in The Walking Dead. What makes this even more poignant for me is another shared aspect between their stories.

Both Lori And Joel Died While On Bad Terms With Those They Loved Most

In the first few episodes of The Last of Us Season 2, it isn’t clearly explained why Ellie stops talking to Joel, but we do know that some event during the five-year gap between seasons damaged their previously solid relationship. Regrettably, the 19-year-old didn’t get a proper chance to make amends with her fatherly figure.

Just like Lori, Rick Grimes’ marriage was strained too, especially during Season 3 due to complications like Lori’s affair with Shane while he was thought to be dead and her manipulation of his decisions. However, there were signs they might have reconciled by the time of Lori’s death episode, making Rick’s emotional collapse upon learning about her passing even more heart-wrenching. (Andrew Lincoln played Rick before departing from The Walking Dead in Season 9.)

You might not wish to relive this particular scene from “The Walking Dead”, but if you have a Netflix subscription, you can do so. Moreover, there are still five episodes left in Season 2 of “The Last of Us” that air on HBO Sundays and are also available for streaming with an HBO Max subscription.

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2025-04-25 12:07