I just watched The Last of Us Season 2 do the thing we all feared – Here’s how it stacks up to the game

Episode 2 of The Last of Us Season 2 dropped a bombshell that longtime fans were bracing for, and newcomers never saw coming. Joel, the main character who’s been the heart of the story, is dead. And the way it happened? Brutal. Emotional. Devastating.

If you're feeling blindsided, you're not alone. This moment is being compared to major TV shockers like Ned Stark's beheading in Game of Thrones. Just when you think a character is safe, boom, they're gone.

Let’s break it down: Joel is ambushed, beaten, and killed by Abby with a golf club. The scene is cold, it’s personal and it’s horrifying to watch, especially as Ellie is forced to see it all happen, powerless to stop it. The scene is raw and painful, made even worse because Joel doesn't beg, scream, or fight. He knows what’s coming. He accepts it.

Fans who played The Last of Us Part II knew this moment was coming. The show sticks very closely to the game in terms of what happens. But it adds a few tweaks, especially in how it tells Abby’s story.

Abby’s reason for revenge is clearer in the show

In the game, we don’t learn why Abby killed Joel until much later. But the show flips that. Right from the start, we find out Joel killed Abby’s dad, the Firefly doctor who was going to operate on Ellie. So Abby’s not just out for blood. She’s avenging her father.

This early reveal makes Abby more human. You might not agree with what she did, but you get where she’s coming from.

During the scene, some of Abby’s friends clearly hesitate. They’re disturbed by how far she goes. This is a clever move by the writers. It shows that revenge doesn’t just hurt your enemies, it eats you from the inside.

After seeing Joel die, Ellie is filled with grief and fury. She memorizes Abby’s name and swears revenge. This sets the stage for her journey, one that’s dark, messy, and full of moral questions.

Ellie and Joel had some tension lately, sure. But deep down? He was like a father to her. She loved him. He protected her. This loss isn’t just about revenge, it’s about losing the one person who made her feel safe in this broken world.

This episode also delivers something fans complained was missing in Season 1: more infected! A horde attacks Jacksonville during a snowstorm, turning the town into a warzone, it’s chaos.

In the heat of battle, Tommy manages to take down a bloater with a blowtorch. It’s wild, it’s intense, and it finally gives him a moment to shine.

One of the most powerful things about Joel’s death is how he accepts it. Once he hears Abby’s reason, he doesn’t try to explain or beg. He just… accepts. There’s something hauntingly calm about it.

The creators have said it outright: this season is about how revenge consumes people. Joel’s death is just the beginning. Now we’ll watch how Ellie deals with that pain, and what she becomes because of it.

The big question now is: how should we feel about Abby? The show wants us to see her as more than just a villain. She’s a broken person on her own path of revenge. Just like Ellie will be soon.

Let’s be real, not everyone is happy about this twist. Losing Joel so early in the season hurts. Some viewers might stop watching. But others are intrigued by where the story will go next.

Ellie now knows where Abby is from. That means the next few episodes will likely follow her to Seattle, chasing revenge. And don’t be surprised if the final showdown with Abby is saved for Season 3.

It’s worth noting: this isn’t the first time Pedro Pascal’s character died in shocking fashion. Remember Oberyn Martell in Game of Thrones? That was rough too. Seems like he’s making a habit of dying in unforgettable ways.

Killing off Joel so early is a risky move. But it’s also a bold one. It flips the story on its head and forces us to care about the emotional fallout. Whether you love it or hate it, this episode is going to stick with you. Just like Joel’s final words will haunt Ellie, this moment will stay with fans for a long, long time.

Trending

For more updates, keep reading Soap Central!

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback