I wasn’t ready for this heartbreaking change in The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 3's opening credits after Joel’s death

While last week has been hard for all The Last of Us Season 2 fans, Episode 3 was no exception. Just as I was trying to move past the brutal death of Pedro Pascal's Joel, the latest episode's opening credits served as a grim reminder of his absence.

Episode 2 saw Abby finally getting her revenge and brutally killing Joel with a golf club, while a sobbing Ellie (Bella Ramsey) watches over. This heartbreaking and minute change in the opening credits gave Ellie's story a different narrative, one where her surrogate father and protector is forever gone.

Episode 3 opened with Tommy beside Joel's corpse, and the scene immediately turns to Ellie, who is being treated for her injuries. She has visions of Abby killing Joel and wakes up screaming.

The opening credits then roll, with the apparent exclusion of Pascal's name, the two silhouettes in the end are replaced by one small silhouette of Ellie, which serves as a grim reminder of Joel's death.

More on The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 3's opening credits in our story.

The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 3's opening credits: A grim reminder of Joel's heartbreaking death

While I was still reeling from the brutal death in The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 2, the latest episode reinforced it. I was prepared for things to be different in the post-apocalyptic drama, especially for Ellie, who had witnessed the harrowing murder of Joel at the hands of Abby, but Episode 3's opening credits were still difficult to watch.

The Last of Us opening credits feature a camera slowly panning through a cordyceps-inspired tapestry, where the fungal infection sprouts up in places, taking the form of a city. The tapestry, while visually aesthetic, serves as a grim reminder of the spreading disease, and the muted colours complement the dystopian tone of the show.

Just before the title card appears, two silhouettes (representing Ellie and Joel) appear, suggesting two lone survivors in a post-apocalyptic world who are fighting this disease together.

However, The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 3's credits made a painstakingly small change, but one that would have a lasting impact on the show.

After the similar fungal tapestry, Joel's silhouette is erased just before the title card, and we see only a smaller silhouette (that of Ellie) amidst the disease and bleakness. While the figure surrounded by sprouting cordyceps-inspired tapestry is grim in itself, the absence of Joel made it even more heartbreaking.

The opening credits serve as a reality check to both viewers and Ellie that her protector is now gone, and she will have to fight against the world and this disease on her own.

The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 3 saw Ellie set off to avenge Joel's death

While Joel's death still loomed large in The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 3, it was refreshing to see Ellie's story move forward.

After the initial moments of Episode 3, three months have passed since Joel's death, and it is Spring in Jackson. While Ellie is still grieving for Joel, she has also harboured anger for Abby.

In Jackson's council meeting, members vote against avenging Joel. Since the city is reeling from the attack, it would be dangerous to send off 16 people to avenge Joel's death.

However, even after the decision is overruled, Ellie sets off with Dina and Seth for Seattle to find Abby and her crew and avenge Joel's death.

In an interview with the Daily Times Chronicle, Ramsey discussed Ellie's decision to go against the Council members:

“If you’ve done something to hurt this person, I’m gonna go and hurt you. And I feel that that’s like the truest display of love, and that’s not something that’s very conscious.”

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Also Read: How does Joel’s death in The Last of Us Season 2 differ from the video game?

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