Viewers of The Last of Us Season 2 may have been taken aback if they weren’t familiar with the game’s backstory, as the show requires a certain level of patience to fully grasp its narrative. To clarify, HBO’s The Last of Us Season 2 is based on The Last of Us: Part II video game and follows up on the events depicted in Season 1, which was centered around the first game. Five years have passed since Joel (Pedro Pascal) smuggled Ellie (Bella Ramsey) away from the Fireflies and killed the doctors who wanted to use her immunity to create a cure for the cordyceps fungal infection. Since then, a rift has developed between Ellie, now 19, and Joel, with their lives intertwining in Jackson, Wyoming alongside Joel’s brother Tommy (Gabriel Luna) and other companions. The first episode of Season 2 was primarily expository, but the second episode left fans heartbroken.
MASSIVE SPOILERS FOLLOW For The Last of Us Season 2, Episode 2!
In Season 2, Episode 2 of “The Last of Us,” titled “Through the Valley,” the peaceful town of Jackson is under threat from an enormous horde of infected when Joel and Dina (played by Isabela Merced) as well as Ellie and Jesse (Young Mazino) are absent on patrol. A heavy snowstorm and the influx of infected create chaos, and it’s during this turmoil that Joel encounters Abby (Kaitlyn Dever) all alone and in need of help. Abby guides Joel and Dina to her militia comrades who, under her command, have been pursuing Joel. Seizing the opportunity, Abby has Dina drugged, shoots Joel in the knee, and brutally attacks him with a golf club. Just as Ellie rushes into the room, she’s quickly subdued, leaving her to witness Abby delivering the lethal blow to Joel. This intense scene left many viewers feeling queasy, but those who feel deceived by “The Last of Us” should pause and consider before abandoning the series altogether.
Through Joel, Ellie & Abby, The Last of Us Proves That Perspective Is Everything
In essence, the opening episodes of “The Last of Us Season 2” serve as an introduction to the larger narrative, with Joel’s demise igniting Ellie’s mission for revenge against Abby, who is responsible for killing her surrogate father. The majority of viewers are likely to dislike Abby and deeply sympathize with Ellie’s desire for vengeance. However, those who can spot hypocrisy may notice that these three characters share striking similarities in their reasons for committing violent acts. Thus, those who empathize with one character but not the other may need to reconsider their perspectives.
In The Last of Us, when Joel decides to eliminate the Fireflies and flee with Ellie after learning that creating a cure would cost her life, he feels justified in his actions and believes he’s truly saving her. However, others might view him as a transgressor, arguing that he ruthlessly thwarted humanity’s last hope for survival. Yet, this isn’t about revenge, but rather the deep emotional trauma of losing his daughter at the start of the pandemic driving Joel to protect Ellie. This attachment is so strong that even if the Fireflies had already carried out the procedure and rescuing Ellie was no longer an option, Joel would have retaliated against them, fueled by a desire for vengeance.
At the start of Season 2, it’s disclosed that among the Fireflies Joel had killed was Abby’s father. This sets Abby on a path to track down and exact revenge upon Joel. In her perspective, Joel is merely a ruthless being who stole someone dear from her, thus deserving of retribution. Both Joel and Abby rationalize their violence using an ‘eye for an eye’ philosophy. It’s worth noting that neither character seems to factor in the loved ones left behind when carrying out their acts of vengeance.
The narrative circle returns with Ellie, who decides to retaliate against Abby for mercilessly killing Joel. Although Ellie’s sorrow echoes Abby’s, viewers find themselves siding with Ellie due to the extensive portrayal of her and Joel throughout the series, which gives them a more emotional connection. However, The Last of Us urges its audience to think critically and avoid hasty judgments. Often, fans quickly choose a side without considering different viewpoints. In The Last of Us, characters perceive themselves as heroes while labeling others as villains based on their personal losses, unaware that their violent actions stem from the common struggle of surviving in a post-apocalyptic environment. Ultimately, the character most favored by audiences will be the one they choose to protect. In The Last of Us, there are no clear-cut heroes or villains; instead, it’s the complexities that make this story so captivating.
Viewers Will Eventually Appreciate The Last of Us‘ Emphasis on Perspective
First-time viewers of Joel’s death in The Last of Us TV show might be shocked and upset, but it’s crucial not to form negative opinions too quickly. Fans of the series should be aware that The Last of Us will make them reconsider their feelings towards Ellie and Abby. Although some may dislike a character now, their perception could change by the end of the series. All three characters – Joel, Ellie, and Abby – go through immense sorrow that transforms them into harsh, vengeful individuals. It’s essential for viewers to empathize with all of them equally. It might be challenging to understand Abby’s situation at this moment, but The Last of Us is likely to teach a valuable lesson about perspective in due course.
In The Last of Us, creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann portray a recurring pattern of violence born from sorrow and critical situations. This cycle convinces individuals that their actions are righteous, yet the series underscores how people share more similarities than differences, and prolonging this violent cycle ultimately leads to one life being taken after another until there’s no one left. The desire for vengeance is passed from Joel to Abby, and now to Ellie in The Last of Us Season 2, causing viewers to empathize with their feelings as each episode unfolds.
If you’re skeptical, take a moment to recall the swift change in fan perception of Ellie from the Season 2 opener to Episode 2. Prepare yourself for further surprises.
New episodes of The Last of Us air on HBO and Max on Sundays.
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2025-04-24 20:15