5 Original Scenes We Might See in Season 2

If there’s one thing HBO’s The Last of Us nailed in Season 1, it’s this: they know how to twist the story. And not just twist it—enrich it, expand it, and then break our hearts with it. That Bill and Frank episode? Absolutely shattered expectations (and probably your tear ducts). So naturally, with Season 2 officially underway, we can’t help but wonder: what else might they surprise us with?

Let’s crack open five juicy possibilities the show could throw our way. These ideas aren’t pulled from thin air—they’re rooted in facts, casting updates, and little teases from behind-the-scenes. Even if you played the games backwards and blindfolded, you might not see some of these coming.

1. Joel in Therapy: The Grizzled Survivor Opens Up

Joel. In therapy. With a character played by Catherine O’Hara. Yeah, let that sink in for a second.

So here’s the deal. O’Hara joins Season 2 as Gail, a therapist living in the Jackson settlement. According to Entertainment Weekly, Joel actually attends therapy sessions with her. Yep. The same Joel who bottles up grief tighter than his worn-out boots is about to talk about his feelings. Or at least try.

But there’s a hilarious twist: he pays for the sessions in weed. Yes, weed. Joel, trading bud for some emotional unpacking? Iconic.

Why this matters:

Therapy sessions could offer raw insight into Joel’s psyche.
We might learn more about his trauma post-Sarah, post-Tess, and even post-Ellie.
O’Hara’s character could become a low-key emotional anchor.

Pedro Pascal as Joel in The Last of Us Season 2, possibly during a therapy scene exploring his emotional trauma in Jackson.

Plus, Gail isn’t just some background NPC. Her late husband Eugene—another new character—will show up in a flashback episode, played by Joe Pantoliano. So there’s depth here. A chance to see Joel reckon with himself, maybe even doubt his past choices.

And let’s be real: Pedro Pascal + emotional monologues = TV gold.

2. Jackson Through Ellie’s Eyes: Teenage Years and First Loves

Between the chaos of clickers and revenge missions, Jackson feels like the last real place on Earth. A slice of civilization. And that makes it the perfect setting for some much-needed flashbacks.

Season 2 could finally show us Ellie growing up here—not just surviving, but living. Not everything needs to be blood and spores. Sometimes, we need moments that breathe.

Picture this:

Ellie joking around with Jesse in the stables.
Quiet evenings with Dina, before their relationship really blossoms.
Maybe even some awkward teenage drama, because yes, post-apocalyptic teens still get crushes.

These scenes could fill the emotional gaps the game hinted at but didn’t fully explore. They also set the stage for what’s coming—the heartbreak, the conflict, the choices Ellie has to make.

And just imagine Bella Ramsey tearing into scenes that mix humor, teenage angst, and creeping dread. Delicious.

3. Abby Before Joel: Life With the WLF

Now, let’s talk about the most controversial face of the franchise: Abby. She’s already confirmed for Season 2, and fans are bracing themselves.

But instead of dropping her into the story right when she meets Joel (you know how that goes), the show might do something bold: show us Abby’s life before it all.

We know from the games that Abby trains with the WLF—the Washington Liberation Front. These folks are militant, efficient, and living their own brutal reality. So why not dive into that world early?

Things we might see:

Abby forming tight bonds with characters like Manny, Nora, or Owen.
Training sequences that show her strength isn’t just physical—it’s survival.
A closer look at how the WLF operates in Seattle.

Giving Abby more screen time before her fateful encounter with Joel could do wonders. Not to make us like her (although that’s possible), but to help us understand her.

The Washington Liberation Front emblem hints at deeper exploration of Abby’s early WLF life before crossing paths with Joel and Ellie.

This move could mirror what they did with Bill and Frank—adding depth where players only saw hints. And let’s face it: HBO loves a good slow burn.

4. The Stalkers Are Here: And They’re Smarter Than Ever

Just when you thought you’d figured out all the infected types, Season 2 brings in a new nightmare: the Stalkers.

As Polygon explains, these infected aren’t your usual screeching mushroom faces. They’re quieter, more intelligent, and freakishly sneaky. Think stealth zombies with a taste for psychological warfare.

Here’s what makes them terrifying:

They hide in shadows, watching and waiting.
They use surprise attacks, forcing characters to think fast.
They’re not just monsters—they’re hunters.

The show has already teased these guys with a short video. And the creators promise they’ll play a bigger role in Season 2.

So buckle up. These aren’t just background scarecrows. They could drive entire episodes. And knowing HBO, we might even get a Stalker-focused horror chapter that makes The Descent look tame.

5. Eugene’s Story: More Than Just Gail’s Husband

You probably haven’t heard much about Eugene, but you will.

Joe Pantoliano is set to play him in a future flashback. He’s the deceased husband of therapist Gail, and he used to be a smuggler. That alone sets him up for an interesting backstory.

But here’s where it gets juicy: Eugene may have run missions outside Jackson. He had ties to the Fireflies. And Gail has kept some of his tech, including a functioning grow house.

Why this matters:

The Eugene episode could echo Bill and Frank’s: self-contained, emotional, revealing.
It might show us the price of survival from a different lens.
We could even learn more about Firefly tech and its legacy.

Plus, pairing Pantoliano with O’Hara? That’s a combo we didn’t know we needed.