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One Subtle Moment in The Last of Us S2 Premiere Sparks Divisive Joel Debate

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heads up! this post includes significant spoilers for The Last of Us season 2’s premiere, as well as crucial plot points from The Last of Us Part II game. please proceed with caution if you haven’t finished these stories yet.

As a dedicated cinephile, I can’t help but appreciate the clever foreshadowing in the opening moments of The Last of Us season 2, episode 1. It subtly hints at a major, contentious discussion that is bound to unfold about Joel’s character. The climactic scene in episode 1 sees Abby discovering Jackson, which, when viewed in light of the flashback sequence in the premiere, suggests she intends revenge on Joel for his actions against the Fireflies at the end of season 1. This unresolved conflict promises to be the central narrative thread that season 2 will delve into deeply.

In the storyline for The Last of Us on HBO, Kaitlyn Dever’s character Abby, along with Pedro Pascal’s Joel and Bella Ramsey’s Ellie, will take center stage. However, unlike typical stories in this genre, the upcoming seasons delve into more complex, morally ambiguous themes that were evident when The Last of Us Part II – the game from which seasons 2 and 3 are adapted – was released. The motivation behind Abby’s desire to kill Joel is a key aspect of this intricate exploration, creating a debate that was hinted at in the premiere episode of The Last of Us season 2.

Joel Being “The Monster” Is Part Of The Last Of Us Part II’s Thematic Core

Which The Last Of Us Season 2 Will Explore As Well

The initial scene under discussion features Joel and his nephew Benji, and it delves into the fundamental topic presented in The Last of Us Part II: Is Joel more monster than man? In the opening episode, we witness Joel exiting a room where Tommy, Maria, and Benji are present. During this exchange, Joel instructs Benji to keep firing at the monsters, which Benji then mimics by pretending to shoot Joel himself. This seemingly light-hearted interaction between an uncle and his nephew could be interpreted as innocent play, but it also serves to pose the central question and theme that will dominate The Last of Us in its second season.

In the final episode of “The Last of Us” season 1, Joel ended many lives of the Fireflies in order to protect Ellie. Ellie’s unique immunity in “The Last of Us” meant she would be sacrificed to create a vaccine. The tragic loss of his daughter Sarah and his role as a father figure to Ellie were the driving forces behind Joel’s decision to save her, which resonated strongly with viewers given that Joel was the main character.

In the second season of The Last of Us, and similarly in The Last of Us Part II, the story delves into how Joel’s actions, though understandable from his viewpoint, can make him appear monstrous to others. New characters like Abby and her group portray this, as they are survivors of Joel’s destructive path. From Abby’s perspective, Joel is a ruthless killer who recklessly hindered the search for a cure for mankind, slaughtering anyone who stood in his way. A hint of this theme is subtly suggested through Joel’s interaction with Benji.

The Last Of Us Season 2’s Big Joel Twist Will Highlight The Villain Debate Even More

Joel’s Fate Will Throw This Debate Wide Open

One unexpected method that “The Last of Us” season 2 may delve into this dispute is by examining Abby’s killing of Joel. Those unacquainted with the game might anticipate that Abby’s vengeance would dominate seasons 2 and 3, with Ellie and Joel counterattacking. However, “The Last of Us Part II” startled fans by featuring Abby brutally slaying Joel at an early stage, followed by Ellie’s quest for revenge and the ensuing cycle of violence.

In a surprising turn for “The Last of Us season 2”, the question of who among Joel, Abby, and Ellie can be considered less monstrous will become a central theme. While Joel acted out of love to protect his new daughter, he took the lives of innocent individuals fighting for a noble cause. Abby avenges Joel’s death by killing him, as we learn in season 2, but she is also seeking justice for her own father who was killed by Joel. Ellie hunts down Abby, justifying it as retribution for Joel’s murder, but her actions have resulted in many deaths along the way.

As a dedicated moviegoer and fan of “The Last of Us,” I can’t help but delve into the profound impact that the events of season 1 and Joel’s heart-wrenching demise have sparked within me. When the initial game was launched, the discussion about Joel’s transformation from hero to antagonist was undeniably contentious, compelling players to confront this intriguing question: Was Joel a protagonist or an adversary in someone else’s story?

With season 2 of “The Last of Us,” we can expect the cycle of revenge to serve as a powerful vehicle for revisiting these thought-provoking themes. The creators will challenge us once more, asking if Joel was a monster, ensnared by the relentless cycle of vengeance, or merely a victim, swept up in circumstances beyond his control?

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2025-04-18 21:38

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