The Last of Us: How Jackson’s Community Heals After Joel’s Death

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Be advised, if you haven’t seen the latest episode of HBO’s show “The Last of Us,” titled “The Path,” there are potential spoilers ahead. Proceed with caution!

In natural and easy-to-read language:

The second season of The Last of Us is living up to its predecessor’s entertainment value and heartrending moments as it airs on the 2025 TV schedule. Fans of the Naughty Dog video game series were anticipating that this season would include a heartbreaking scene involving Joel, skillfully portrayed by Pedro Pascal. And indeed, it did occur, and it was just as painful as I had expected. However, I’ve found some solace in the community of Jackson, Wyoming following that event.

In the closing scene of episode 2 from The Last of Us Season 2, militia leader Abby avenges her father’s death by killing Joel, who had taken Ellie away from the Fireflies years prior. The subsequent episode delves into the emotional fallout following Joel’s untimely death and how his family members deal with their grief. Notably, the city of Jackson plays a significant role in this season, unlike it did in 2020’s The Last of Us Part II game, which serves as the source material for this TV show adaptation. I find two aspects of this change particularly appealing.

The Community Has Time To Mourn Joel And Others Lost During The Attack By The Infected

Episode 2 showcases a substantial number of victims when Abby inadvertently sets off an incident, awakening a mob of infected. The town endures heavy losses, and in the wake of the chaos, the remaining survivors work to put the pieces back together. In the following episode, set three months later, it’s fascinating to witness the town dealing with the aftermath. Residents are involved in the reconstruction efforts while simultaneously mourning their fallen comrades following a series of funeral services.

A key element I found fascinating was how Ellie grappled with Joel’s death, who served as her father figure. In The Last of Us Part II, the fast-paced and action-packed gameplay leaves little room for characters to express their grief openly. Therefore, it was fitting that Ellie paused to mourn before deciding to seek retribution against Abby. Additionally, Joel’s brother, Tommy, and Ellie’s friend, Dina, also had to cope with the loss in their unique ways.

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Shared sorrow gives rise to heartfelt character scenes, especially one deeply emotional scene between Tommy and local counselor Gail. On a broader scale, Joel’s demise significantly affects the entire Jackson community, which segues us into my next point.

Viewers See Jackson Come Together To Weigh The Pros And Cons Of Avenging Joel

Some might contend that the abundant focus on Jackson in Episode 3 is just fluff, but I personally believe the public hearing scene serves a more substantial purpose. On a fundamental level, it portrays how democracy operates within the town, yet it also delves deeper into showcasing the diverse ideologies held by its residents. The disagreement isn’t confined to whether it’s morally right to avenge Joel or if it’s financially sound; rather, it reflects a deep split in viewpoints among the citizens.

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It didn’t surprise me at all that the council decided against sending a posse of 16 to pursue WLF members, even after Ellie’s heartfelt speech. (Still, I remain curious about who among them voted for or against.) What did catch me off guard, though, was how remarkably insightful series creators Craig Mazin and their team were in handling the political dynamics and personal beliefs of this town’s residents.

Absolutely, Elie, accompanied by Dina, has made her way to Seattle with the goal of eliminating Abby. I’m both thrilled and apprehensive as we delve into Season 2 of The Last of Us, knowing that the episodes ahead promise an intense journey. Although Ellie’s quest is central to the narrative, I eagerly anticipate further exploration of Jackson, perhaps through the upcoming episode focused on Eugene or in other creative ways.

Every Sunday at 9 p.m. Eastern Time, you can catch new installments of “The Last of Us” on HBO. If you have a Max subscription, you can also stream these episodes immediately when they air.

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2025-05-03 21:09