Let’s not sugarcoat it—Joel Miller is dead.
In Episode 2 of The Last of Us Season 2, viewers witnessed a moment that left a hole in the hearts of fans: Abby (played by Kaitlyn Dever) violently ends Joel’s life with a golf club, all while Ellie (Bella Ramsey) watches helplessly.
For longtime fans of The Last of Us Part II game, this scene was a ticking time bomb. For those new to the franchise through the HBO series, it was gut-wrenching, shocking, and, frankly, divisive. Let’s unpack what this brutal moment means for the show, how it compares to the game, and what it sets in motion for the rest of Season 2.
Why Abby Killed Joel
To understand this moment, we have to go back to Season 1’s ending. Joel had taken Ellie to the Fireflies to help develop a cure, only to find out they needed to sacrifice her to save humanity. He chose Ellie over the world—killing several Fireflies, including a surgeon.
That surgeon? Abby’s father.
In Season 2, we meet Abby and her crew—former Fireflies turned soldiers—who are on a mission to find and kill Joel. When Abby is saved by Joel from an infected swarm, she lures him and Dina to a lodge where her team ambushes him.
It’s personal. It’s vengeance. It’s brutal.
How the Show's Version Differs from the Game
Fans of the game noticed some key changes in how Joel’s death was handled:
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In the game, Joel and Tommy save Abby; in the show, Joel is with Dina.
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Abby’s group is less violent toward Dina than they were toward Tommy in the game.
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The zombie horde attacking Jackson is a new addition, adding urgency and chaos.
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Ellie is not knocked out in the show; instead, she is forced to watch Joel’s murder.
These tweaks seem intentional—to deepen emotional stakes and possibly to soften the hatred the fandom once had for Abby and her group.
Abby: The Most Controversial Character in Gaming
When The Last of Us Part II launched, fans didn’t just play as Ellie—they also had to play as Abby. This shift forced players to feel her rage, her grief, and eventually, her regret.
That move was bold. It was also polarizing.
Abby’s actress faced real-life harassment and threats. Many fans felt betrayed after becoming so attached to Joel in the first game. The showrunners seem aware of this backlash and are walking a careful line—offering Abby complexity without asking for instant forgiveness.
Joel’s Death Is Only the Beginning
Joel’s death doesn’t end the story—it starts it.
From this moment on, Ellie is consumed by vengeance. She’ll stop at nothing to track down Abby and her allies. While in the game, Tommy is also fiercely motivated, the show seems to shift more of that drive to Ellie.
Tommy, now a father figure with responsibilities in Jackson, may take a back seat. Ellie, wounded and furious, is likely to spearhead the journey to Seattle.
Pedro Pascal’s Likely Return
Don’t expect this to be the last we see of Joel. The show has already teased flashbacks, and Joel has unfinished business:
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The mystery of what drove a wedge between Joel and Ellie post-Season 1.
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The appearance of Gail (Catherine O’Hara), Joel’s therapist—a character not in the game.
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The emotional fallout from Joel killing Gail’s infected husband.
Flashbacks and dream sequences are almost guaranteed. Pedro Pascal is too central and beloved a figure to write off completely this early.
Final Thoughts: The Price of Revenge
Joel’s death is painful—but narratively powerful.
It forces us to ask: What does revenge cost?
Is justice ever simple in a world as broken as this one?
The Last of Us continues to ask hard questions, refusing to draw neat moral lines. Abby is both a villain and a victim. Ellie is both a heroine and, potentially, a monster in the making.
With this moment, the series doesn't just pay homage to the game—it sets the tone for a brutal, emotional, and unforgettable journey ahead.
Are you ready to follow Ellie into the abyss?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments, and stay tuned for more breakdowns from The Last of Us Season 2.
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