Joel’s Brutal Death: The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 2 Shock Ending!

Attention: The following discussion may reveal key plot points from The Last of Us season 2, episode 2 and The Last of Us Part II. This latest episode of The Last of Us season 2 showcases the game’s most debated storyline, introducing a distinctive battle scene exclusive to the HBO series. The series is adapting the highly-praised second installment in Ellie (Bella Ramsay) and Joel’s (Pedro Pascal) post-apocalyptic journey. While some fans speculated whether Joel would die so early in the story, episode 2 reinforces that these episodes are indeed focusing on Ellie moving forward.

In Episode 2, we find ourselves straightaway following the aftermath of episode 1’s events, with the townsfolk of Jackson still grappling with the fallout from Dina and Ellie’s kiss. However, these trivial matters quickly fade into insignificance as a massive storm approaches Jackson, placing Ellie, Jesse, Joel, and Dina in danger outside the safety of the sanctuary. Meanwhile, Abby’s group remains hidden in the mountains. Tragedy strikes when Joel meets his end during this tumultuous period, and Jackson is left devastated after an assault by a swarm of infected, drastically altering the trajectory of the series as we know it.

Why Abby Kills Joel In The Last Of Us Season 2

Anger Fuels Kaitlyn Dever’s Character

In the initial episodes of season 2, Kaitlyn Dever’s character, Abby, unambiguously expressed her thirst for retribution. Following the murder of her father and the Fireflies in Salt Lake City by Joel, Abby was resolute on inflicting pain upon Joel and bided her time for five years before carrying out her plan.

During that period, Abby and her companions discovered new partners and became part of the enigmatic WLF group. Despite having the chance to eliminate Dina and even Ellie, actions that would further torment Joel, it’s evident that Abby’s primary intention is to seek vengeance for her father. By the end of the episode, Dina and Ellie are still alive, grappling with the devastation caused by the events in the mountains above Jackson.

How Different Joel’s Death Scene In The Last Of Us Season 2 Is From The Game

Accuracy To The Game Is Key Here

The main concern regarding “The Last of Us” season 2 was how closely it would mirror the game, specifically concerning Joel’s death. With discussions about the timeline being altered and reorganized, many viewers anticipated that Pascal’s character’s demise would occur later in the second season, with some speculating that it could be delayed until a potential third season.

However, contrary to appearances in episode 2, things aren’t exactly the same as in the game. In the storyline, Joel does meet his end, and the sequence closely resembles the game’s events. One significant variation is who Joel is with at the time of his death. In the game, Tommy is by his side during the rescue operation of Abby, but in the series, Joel is accompanied by Dina instead.

In a different phrasing, we can say: The death scene for Joel is remarkably authentic, including some lines spoken by Dever and Ramsay, as well as the tool Abby uses to torment Joel. Although the Jackson attack has been significantly expanded upon, Joel’s manner of dying in the series mirrors his demise in the game, suggesting that the rest of The Last of Us season 2 will largely stick to the original storyline.

What Joel’s Death Means For Ellie’s Future

Ellie Will Be Forever Changed

Witnessing Joel’s gruesome demise will forever alter Ellie’s life. Although Ellie was initially resentful towards Joel upon Abby’s fatal attack, her affection for him becomes evident when she frantically urges Joel to rise and later tenderly lies on top of his lifeless form.

Essentially, Ellie’s main bond with the community of Jackson weakens, even though she’s developed new relationships. This could lead to numerous difficulties for her. The family she now has – Jesse, Dina, Tommy, and Maria – will remain, but the emotional repercussions might make her withdraw from them at a time when she needs their help the most.

Where Abby & Her Group Are Going After Killing Joel

Following the Firefly Incident in Salt Lake City, Abby and her companions found their future shrouded in uncertainty. Despite Abby’s urging to pursue Joel promptly, Owen advised patience, suggesting they wait to regroup before embarking on a quest for him. If the storyline stays true to the game, it will eventually unveil that Abby and her group traveled to Seattle.

Later on, they affiliated with the Washington Liberation Front, honed their abilities, and planned to confront Joel five years down the line in Jackson, intending to end his life. Following Joel’s demise in the game, Abby and her companions made their way back to Seattle, where the WLF were engulfed in a fierce conflict with the Seraphites – a religious group who had seized control of parts of the city.

Will Ellie Go After Abby?

Ellie Must Choose Revenge Or Forgiveness

In essence, The Last of Us Part II primarily explores themes of recurring violence and retribution, with Ellie pursuing Abby and her group to carry out her own acts of vengeance. A sneak peek in the second trailer for season 2 shows a quick scene of two individuals riding horses approaching the city of Seattle, suggesting that Ellie will be journeying westward in pursuit.

It’s not quite certain which one of them will arrive there ahead. In the storyline, Tommy chooses to trail Abby and her group initially, driven by his thirst for vengeance and thus abandoning Jackson. The timeline and method by which Tommy reaches Seattle in the series, if he does so at all, are yet to be clarified.

Why The Infected Attack Jackson

The Answer Lies Underground

As a die-hard movie buff following “The Last of Us” series, let me tell you that the assault on Jackson is undeniably the most significant departure from the original game we’ve seen so far in season 2. Subtle hints about this surprising turn were cleverly sprinkled throughout the first episode, with the most prominent clue regarding the attack being subtly dropped at the very end of season 2, episode 1.

Over a span of five years, from season 1 to season 2, there have been persistent efforts to expand Jackson. This expansion involved not only new construction but also excavating previously established infrastructure. During this process, an unexpected find was made – a buried pipeline unveiled a vast cordyceps network hidden beneath the city.

In this scenario, these interconnected systems facilitate communication among the infected individuals. When an attack occurs on one of these networks during construction, it triggers a call for the infected towards Jackson. This mass movement of the infected leads them towards the fortified city, causing destruction wherever they go.

Previously, creator Neil Druckmann shared insights about the cordyceps networks he referred to in an interview with Polygon. He explained that they were intended to give the impression of a complex and connected system, capable of acting together as a collective threat.

How Tommy Survives The Bloater Attack

Fire Is Your Friend

One thrilling scene from the assault on Jackson was when Tommy confronted the colossal mutation of an infected creature, known as a Bloater. This is how the infected managed to breach Jackson’s defenses, and while the others were causing destruction everywhere, the Bloater had the capacity to create the most turmoil due to its immense power.

When the Bloater zeroes in on Maria, Tommy steps in to divert its attention, moving it away from his spouse first. In the process, he ends up trapped. Fortunately, Tommy carries a flamethrower which he uses to launch an all-out attack against the Bloater. Although it seems like the Bloater might overpower him, the flames eventually exhaust the infected mutation, causing it to collapse right before it reaches Joel’s brother.

What’s Next For Jackson After The Infected Attack?

In Jackson, losing Joel wasn’t just a personal tragedy; it also resulted in the loss of numerous citizens and crucial infrastructure components. Consequently, their main priority is rebuilding following these catastrophic losses. As community leaders, Tommy and Maria might find themselves in a challenging position, balancing what’s best for Jackson with their own thirst for justice. Despite the intricate system they have established, there seems to be hope for recovery in Jackson. The attack was indeed devastating, but it could’ve been much worse. Jackson is currently nursing its wounds and may take a long time to heal, yet given the defense mechanisms they had in place, they managed to withstand the attack and will emerge from this ordeal stronger.

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2025-04-21 05:09

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