Will Season 2 Follow That Shocking Game Twist?
Spoiler alert: If you haven’t played The Last of Us Part II or haven’t caught up on HBO’s The Last of Us Season 2, turn back now. This ride goes straight into heartbreak territory.
The Hammer Drops: Joel’s Brutal Exit
Alright, let’s not sugarcoat it. Joel is dead. Yes, you read that right. HBO’s The Last of Us Season 2 just went there.
In a gut-wrenching mirror of the video game’s jaw-dropper, Episode 2 delivered the hammer blow. Literally. Abby, played by Kaitlyn Dever, ends Joel’s story in one of the most brutal scenes to ever grace a Sunday night.
And here’s the kicker—showrunners Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann didn’t delay it. They dove right in, pulling the trigger early in the season. Why? Because fans already knew what was coming, and dragging it out would only water down the impact.
According to their recent chat with Business Insider, they believed it was crucial to establish the season’s emotional trajectory from the jump. So they ripped off the band-aid fast and hard.
No One Told Pedro
Surprise, surprise—Pedro Pascal didn’t get the full memo ahead of time. In a delightfully candid moment with People, Pedro admitted he was in “active denial.”
“They didn’t tell me, ‘Hey, we kill you at the beginning of Season 2,’” he said.
The bond between Pedro and Bella Ramsey (Ellie) had clearly bled offscreen. Bella shared how emotionally raw reading Joel’s death scene left her. One could say their chemistry is so strong, the loss feels personal—even to them.
And honestly, it shows. Their scenes together crackle with authenticity. Which makes the fallout hit that much harder.
But Is Joel Really Gone?
Now, hold onto your emotional support clicker—because Joel might be dead, but Pedro Pascal is still sticking around.
Season 2 leans heavily into the non-linear narrative style. That means flashbacks, dream sequences, and memory montages are all fair game. And yes, Pascal is still listed in the cast for episodes after Joel’s death. That alone suggests Joel will return in some form.
So, no, you’re not losing Pedro entirely. You just won’t see him breathing in real-time. Bittersweet? Absolutely.
Why That Death Still Matters
Killing Joel isn’t just shock value. It’s a plot cornerstone. His death sends Ellie down a dark, revenge-soaked path that defines the season’s entire arc.
This narrative choice was divisive in the game. Some fans called it betrayal. Others praised the gutsy storytelling. But regardless of where you land, you can’t deny one thing—it left a mark.
Showrunner Druckmann and actress Laura Bailey (who voiced Abby in the game) both highlighted something key: the HBO series gives Joel’s death more emotional build-up. Unlike the game’s swift blow, the show expands on the why before delivering the how. And that? That stings even more.
The Fandom Reacts: Torn Hearts Everywhere
Reactions have been, well, messy. Game purists respect the faithfulness. Casual viewers? They’re gasping into their wine.
Bella Ramsey warned viewers to brace themselves. And oh boy, was that good advice. Social media lit up the moment Joel went down. Some fans swore off the show. Others cried in group chats. A few even applauded the emotional gut punch.
But here’s the wild part—this controversy may actually boost the show’s appeal. Drama stirs conversation. Conversation drives viewership. So while Joel’s death hurts, it also hooks.
Breadcrumbs in the Trailer
Now let’s rewind a sec. Were there clues? Kinda.
The trailers teased tension, but never gave away the twist. You saw Abby. You saw Ellie looking colder. But Joel? He seemed like he’d stick around.
That was deliberate. Mazin and Druckmann knew the seasoned fans would clock the foreshadowing. But they kept enough mystery for fresh eyes. A masterclass in subtle misdirection.
What Comes Next?
Ellie’s not taking this lightly. And why would she? Joel was her rock. Her stand-in dad. Her everything.
So, from here on out, Season 2 becomes her story. Her trauma. Her vengeance. Her unraveling.
Expect:
- More Abby, and not just as a villain.
- An expanded look at Joel and Ellie’s time together (yep, flashbacks incoming).
- Some absolutely devastating character choices.
And trust us—things are about to get way messier.
Final Word: Goodbye, Cowboy
Joel’s gone, but his shadow stretches long. Whether you loved or loathed the choice, it’s bold TV.
The show didn’t flinch. It knew what it was doing. And it did it anyway.
So while fans might still cry foul, the series earns its stripes by sticking to its guns. Because sometimes, the most painful stories are the ones worth telling.
