Episode Two Marks a Turning Point
[Spoiler Alert]
The second episode of HBO’s The Last of Us Season 2, titled “Through the Valley,” aired Sunday night. The episode has shocked audiences by featuring the brutal death of central character Joel Miller.
Fans of the original video game anticipated this moment since the show’s first season. Joel’s death mirrors events from The Last of Us Part II, released in June 2020. In the game, Joel dies early, beaten to death by a character named Abby.
Figure 1: Joel’s death mirrors events from The Last of Us Part II
Game and Show Merge Timelines
The episode aligns game events with the show’s adaptation, bringing both audiences together in shared grief. Gamers used coded phrases like “Abby’s golf game” to discuss the plot ahead of release. The broadcast ended speculation and confirmed the fate viewers had dreaded.
Joel’s Final Moments Shown with Restraint
Pedro Pascal’s Joel dies in an abandoned lodge after being captured by Abby and her Firefly comrades. Abby, played by Kaitlyn Dever, shoots Joel in the leg before using a golf club to kill him.
The scene cuts away from graphic details but shows Pascal’s bloodied face and a splintered shaft. Joel, understanding Abby’s identity, accepts his fate and tells her, “Just get it over with.” Ellie, played by Bella Ramsey, arrives too late and watches helplessly.
Jackson Faces an Infected Onslaught
While Joel’s death unfolds, Jackson, Wyoming comes under attack by thousands of infected. Directed by Game of Thrones alum Mark Mylod, the battle features medieval-style defence tactics. Residents repel the infected using fire and explosives.
A bloater, a new breed of infected, breaks through Jackson’s walls. Joel’s brother Tommy and his wife Maria fight to defend the town. Ellie and Jesse leave Jackson after losing radio contact with Joel and Dina.
Character Changes Alter Narrative Arc
The show introduces narrative adjustments for dramatic emphasis. In the game, Tommy is with Joel when they find Abby. In the series, Joel patrols with Dina instead. Abby’s group drugs Dina, unlike the game’s physical assault on Tommy.
The showrunners also excluded Ellie’s knockout after Joel’s death, adding instead Abby’s decision to threaten Dina for Joel’s confession. These changes aim to humanise Abby and soften reactions to her group.
Figure 2: Gabriel Luna as Tommy
Abby Sparks Divided Audience Reactions
Abby’s character received backlash upon the game’s release. The game forces players to view events from both Abby and Ellie’s perspectives. Abby’s actions reflect revenge after Joel killed her father during the Firefly mission in Salt Lake City.
The game’s voice actor for Abby received threats following the release. Criticism arose from some players’ frustration with the story’s direction. Others attributed the backlash to gender bias and resistance to moral complexity.
Thematic Shift Between Seasons
Season 1 of The Last of Us focused on hope. Joel and Ellie’s journey centred on the search for a cure to the fungal infection. The Fireflies believed Ellie’s immunity could save humanity.
Joel killed 18 Fireflies and the operating doctor, who was Abby’s father, to save Ellie. Season 2 replaces that hope with loss. Ellie begins a quest for revenge that risks consuming her.
Also Read: The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered Set to Revive a Classic RPG Experience
Joel’s Presence May Continue
Although Joel is dead, show creators may include him in flashbacks. In the game, he appears in memory sequences. The show introduced Joel’s therapist, Gail, played by Catherine O’Hara, in Episode 1.
Joel also killed Gail’s husband, who turned infected. Viewers expect more appearances from Pascal as the season explores Joel’s history and Ellie’s grief.
Ellie Becomes the Central Force
Unlike the game where Tommy drives the hunt for Abby, the show centres Ellie. Tommy, now a father, may take a cautious approach. Ellie, without such constraints, becomes the driving force behind the revenge mission.
The shift signals a stronger emotional arc for Ellie’s character. Bella Ramsey’s performance has received praise for portraying Ellie’s anguish and fury during Joel’s murder.
Figure 3: Ellie becomes the central force signalling a stronger emotional arc
Community Versus Isolation Explored
Jackson represents what Joel and Ellie never believed in—community and collective survival. The town’s fight against the infected shows strength in unity. The contrast to Joel’s individualism underscores the consequences of isolation.
The attack on Jackson, not part of the game, enhances the episode’s scale. The infected swarm echoes scenes from Game of Thrones, reinforcing the series’ cinematic ambition.
Series Builds Towards Moral Reckoning
The Last of Us Season 2 continues exploring the cost of vengeance. Joel’s actions at the Firefly base initiated the cycle. Abby’s response fuels further tragedy. Ellie’s path now mirrors those decisions.
The episode presents multiple perspectives without asking viewers to choose a side. As the season progresses, characters must confront their motivations and reckon with the fallout.
