The Last of Us: Joel’s Shocking Death Sends Shockwaves Through Season 2
The popular HBO series The Last of Us has taken a dramatic turn with the shocking death of Joel Miller, played by Pedro Pascal, in a gruesome and intense scene in Season 2, Episode 2. The episode, which is now streaming on Max, sees Joel meet his demise at the hands of Abby Anderson, played by Kaitlyn Dever, who seeks revenge for her father’s death.
According to USA Today, the death was "largely preordained" as it was already laid out in the source material, "The Last of Us Part II" video game. Executive producer Craig Mazin revealed that Pascal was aware of the character’s fate when he took on the role. "When I talked to Pedro the first time, I said, ‘This is how this will go.’ I wanted him to know that we’re not going to do this for seven seasons with you in that spot. We’re going to do a season, and if it goes well and there’s a second season, this will happen," Mazin said.
The episode provides a brief backstory of Abby’s motivations, showing her discovery of her father’s death at the hands of Joel in the Season 1 finale. Abby’s search for revenge is a driving force behind her actions, and her eventual confrontation with Joel is both intense and disturbing. The brutal beating, which is conducted mostly off-camera, is a stark contrast to the show’s usual restraint.
Mazin explained that the scene was carefully crafted to convey the brutality of the moment without being too graphic. "This is live action. We do have to work a little closer to truer physics," he said. The aftermath of Joel’s death sees Ellie, played by Bella Ramsey, vowing revenge against Abby, setting the stage for a cycle of violence and grief.
The death of Joel has significant implications for the show, and Mazin believes that it will have a lasting impact on the characters. "It’s not a revenge story. It’s a story about grief and how people handle grief," he said. The show’s focus will shift to the aftermath of Joel’s death and the actions of the grieving characters, including Tommy, Dina, and Ellie.
Despite the character’s demise, Mazin confirmed that Pascal will not be leaving the show entirely. "We have not seen the last of Pedro Pascal on ‘The Last of Us,’" he said. The show’s trailer suggests that Ellie will have a fateful confrontation with Joel’s legacy, and Pascal’s character will continue to have an impact on the story.
The intense and emotional scene has sparked a reaction from fans, with many taking to social media to express their shock and sadness. The cast, including Pascal, Ramsey, and Dever, have discussed the monumental death, with Pascal and Dever even exchanging Instagram posts, smiling and hugging in the snow together.
In a statement to USA Today, Mazin acknowledged that the death will have a lasting impact on the show. "People are going to be upset. That’s sometimes how good drama goes," he said. The show’s willingness to take risks and push boundaries has been praised by fans and critics alike, and it will be interesting to see how the story unfolds in the coming episodes.
The aftermath of Joel’s death will be explored in future episodes of The Last of Us, and fans can expect a deeper dive into the characters’ motivations and emotions. As Mazin said, "This thing she thought would fix the wound in her didn’t fix it. She walks away no happier than when she showed up." The stage is set for a dramatic and intense exploration of grief, revenge, and the human condition.
The show’s use of social media has also provided a unique insight into the cast’s relationships, with Kaitlyn Dever and Pedro Pascal exchanging Instagram hugs. Dever wrote, "My best snow buddy," while Pascal wrote, "Thank you, scene partner. You little miracle." This lighthearted moment provides a contrast to the intense and emotional scenes that have unfolded on screen.
The impact of Joel’s death will be felt throughout the season, and fans can expect a deeper exploration of the characters’ emotions and motivations. As the show continues to unfold, it will be interesting to see how the story develops and how the characters navigate the aftermath of this shocking event.
