By: Your Name April 2025
In the muchanticipated second season of The Last of Us, the show has once again shaken its audience with a dramatic and emotional moment that mirrors the traumatic event from the video game. Joels death, a pivotal and gutwrenching scene, has not only left fans reeling but also sparked widespread discussions across social media platforms, particularly on Reddit. Fans of the series, both new and old, have been grappling with the implications of this brutal moment, and how it reshapes the story moving forward.
The SetUp: An Inevitable Betrayal
For those who have followed the storyline from the The Last of Us video game series, Joels death is not entirely unexpected. In fact, its one of the most wellknown and emotionally charged events in gaming history. However, the way this moment is portrayed in the show adds a layer of emotional weight that fans could never have prepared for.
At the end of Season 1, we watched Joel make a controversial decision by saving Ellie, the potential key to a cure for the Cordyceps virus, from the Fireflies. This led to a violent confrontation, during which Joel kills several members of the Fireflies, including Abbys father, a renowned surgeon. This act sets the stage for the revengedriven arc that drives the second season. Abby, the vengeful daughter of the slain surgeon, is determined to hunt down Joel, setting up a brutal collision between these two characters that will ultimately define the season.
The Death Scene: A Heartbreaking Parallels to the Game
In the second episode of Season 2, Joels death occurs much earlier than many fans anticipated. While some had speculated it would happen later, the show quickly leans into this pivotal moment, ensuring that the consequences of Joels past are addressed right away. Joel and Dina, one of the key characters introduced in this season, are out on patrol in Jackson when they encounter Abby and her group. The tension builds as Abby uses the infected as a distraction, eventually luring Joel and Dina into a trap.
The death scene in the show follows the same general structure as the game, with some notable differences. In both versions, Joel is caught offguard and shot in the leg, and the death is excruciatingly drawn out. In the game, Abby finishes Joel off with a brutal final blow from a golf club. In the show, however, the filmmakers make the decision to have Abby use the broken shaft of the club to stab Joel in the neck, adding an extra layer of brutality to his demise. This small but significant change underscores the horror of the act, leaving viewers with a sense of deep unease as they watch Joels life drain away.
The Impact on Ellie and the Audience
The death of Joel, while shocking, is far from the end of the emotional turmoil. Ellie, Joels adoptive daughter, is not only devastated by his loss, but also forced to grapple with the unresolved tension in their relationship. In the show, the pair have not fully reconciled from the events of Season 1, making Joels death all the more tragic. Ellie arrives at the lodge just after his death, witnessing the aftermath and feeling the full weight of her loss. The absence of a proper goodbye between father and daughter makes the moment all the more poignant, leaving both Ellie and viewers to mourn the untold words that will never be exchanged.
The Reddit community, as expected, has been abuzz with emotional reactions to the scene. Fans have expressed anger, sorrow, and even disbelief, while others discuss how the shows portrayal of Joels death deepens the narrative in ways the game couldnt. Some have even questioned the ethical implications of Joels past actions, drawing parallels to his moral ambiguity and the eventual consequence of his decisions.
A Broader Reflection on Storytelling
While the death of Joel was inevitable in the game, the shows decision to portray it so early in the season has generated a significant amount of debate. Some fans argue that by introducing this tragic event so soon, the show allows itself to dive straight into the emotional core of the narrative, while others feel that it may have robbed the audience of a more gradual buildup to this moment. Regardless of where fans stand on this issue, one thing is clear: The Last of Us has once again proven its ability to create an emotional rollercoaster that resonates deeply with its audience.
The brutal death of Joel is not just a plot pointit is a reflection of the consequences of his choices, the loss of innocence, and the unrelenting grip of violence in the postapocalyptic world. Fans are left wondering how Ellie will respond to the trauma of losing the man who raised her, and whether she will ever come to terms with the haunting reality of their relationship.
Conclusion: A Turning Point in the Series
As The Last of Us continues to unfold, Joels death serves as the inciting incident that propels Ellie forward on her journey, both physically and emotionally. The shows portrayal of his death has ignited passionate discussions among viewers, particularly on platforms like Reddit, where the fanbase has been dissecting every aspect of this pivotal moment. For many, this will be remembered as one of the most emotional and shocking twists in modern TV history, and the repercussions of this death will resonate throughout the rest of the series.