Warning: Spoilers for The Last of Us season two, episode two.
HBO has done the unthinkable, again. The most recent episode of The Last of Us season two has left fans utterly broken after the brutal, heartbreaking death of Joel (Pedro Pascal) at the hands of Abby (Kaitlyn Dever) as everyone is asking the same thing: Is Joel really dead?
Sadly, the answer is yes.
The moment some fans have dreaded since the show was announced has finally arrived: Joel’s violent murder with a golf club, as Ellie (Bella Ramsey) is forced to watch, as Abby finally avenges her father’s death.
Those who were well-versed in the game version of The Last of Us will have known to expect this but anyone who hasn’t played the game will have been shocked by the emotional scene.
One person said: “Ellie hugging Joel’s body just ruined my entire week, month, and year.”
Another said that the show “made [Joel’s death] so much worse” compared to the game, and a third said they “can’t watch this show anymore” now that Joel is dead.
Is Joel really dead in The Last of Us? Sadly the answer is yes
Viewers of The Last of Us who haven’t played 2020’s PlayStation video game sequel The Last of Us Part Two might be reeling from the unexpected offing of one of the show’s main characters – but we’re sorry to confirm that, just like in the original game, Joel is indeed dead.
Pascal always knew that his character would have to die at some point, previously telling Entertainment Weekly that there was “an understanding that [the show] would stay true to the source material in a specific way”.
The death of Joel is made all the more tragic by the raw, grief-stricken emotions displayed by Ellie as well as the the sad fact that viewers will never get to see the chemistry between Ramsey and Pascal on screen again – especially after viewers have followed their journey from the start.
Now, there are questions about what is to come in The Last of Us now that a traumatised Ellie has vowed to kill Abby and her crew as revenge for Joel’s death – will it start an endless cycle of revenge killings?
Meanwhile, Tommy, Maria, and the rest of the survivors are back in Jackson attempting to regroup after the horde of Infected breached the walls at Jackson and left the city in ruins.
The show’s creator Craig Mazin acknowledged the tragedy of the episode, telling Deadline: “This episode is upsetting to me, too. I just want people to know that we are not here snickering. We are with them. This hurts.”
Whether you’re grieving, furious, or clinging to denial, one thing’s for sure: The Last of Us just changed everything. Joel is gone, Ellie is out for blood and the story is only just getting started.
The Last of Us returns to HBO on April 27.
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