A new The Last of Us character may impact Joel and Ellie’s relationship in season 2

The Last of Us Season 2 officially debuted on April 13, 2025. Along with the season debut, the first episode of season 2 also featured a character debut. Dina, played by Isabel Merced, might be responsible for an altogether different relationship between Joel and Ellie. Dina is set to be a really important character throughout The Last of Us Season 2, as she will portray Ellie's best friend and eventually her love interest.

The premiere features a look into the developing relationship between Ellie and Dina as they go on a patrol mission together and end up encountering a smart infected variant. By the end of the first episode, the two of them end up sharing a kiss during the New Year's Eve party in the barn. Their moment is ruined by a homophobic resident until Joel interferes. Even though he has the best of intentions, the scene shows exactly how much has changed in Joel and Ellie's relationship.

Here's how Dina might impact Joel and Ellie's relationship in The Last of Us Season 2.

Dina might affect Joel and Ellie's relationship in The Last of Us Season 2

Dina and Joel's relationship

The Last of Us Season 2 premiere episode revealed that Dina and Joel have a deep relationship as well since they started living in the Jackson community. The episode features Joel for the first time on Season 2, opening his door to someone and responding, "Hey, kiddo". It was revealed later that the visitor was not Ellie, but Dina. She wanted Joel's help with a construction project. Dina is a part of the Jackson patrol team, much like Joel, Ellie, and Tommy.

Dina wants to learn what Joel is doing, showing a close bond between the two. Their interaction also proves that at the moment she is a kind of bridge between Joel and Ellie. She is curious why Ellie is so mad at Joel and even attempts to bring the two together when she invites Ellie to join her and Joel in watching Curtis & Viper movies. This is in par with Isabel Merced's opinions on Joel and Dina's relationship.

"If she's Ellie's best friend, they would have interacted. And so this is an opportunity to see how and I think they have a very light, warm relationship, where he's like the fun uncle, and she can confide in him, and he can confide in her. But mostly, you know their point where they really connect is their love for Ellie that they both have and share. And I think Dina, when we see her, she's sort of noticing this rift between them and trying to mend that."

Joel and Ellie's relationship has changed since Season 1

Joel and Ellie's relationship has changed drastically since Season 1, owing to what happened with the Fireflies. It is also revealed during Dina and Joel's conversation that Joel has started seeing Gail, the therapist in the Jackson community, played by Catherine O'Hara. In Joel's session with Gail, his changed dynamic with Ellie comes up. It is apparent their changed relationship is a result of the Fireflies' altercation, but Joel is unable to get into details of the incident with Gail, therefore failing to get to the bottom of why his relationship with Ellie is strained.

Additionally, Joel's bond with Dina, which seems to be growing deep, is also a constant reminder to Joel regarding what he's lost with Ellie. The relationship between Joel and Dina is a big step away from the inspiration, The Last of Us Part II video game. In the video game, Joel and Dina did not have any sort of relationship, but the fact that in the show, they do have one makes much more sense for the upcoming storyline.

The Last of Us Season 2 premiere episode already portrays Dina as somebody who isn't afraid to face threats, and is highly capable as well. So, it will be interesting to watch Dina, Joel, and Ellie's dynamic play out in the upcoming episodes of the season. New episodes of season 2 release every Sunday.

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