Joel’s Shocking Death in The Last of Us: Creators Defend Controversial Choice Despite Star’s Fame

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Spoilers for The Last of Us Season 2, Episode 2

Summary

  • The Last of Us Season 2, Episode 2 shocks viewers by killing off a major character, Joel.
  • Creators Mazin and Druckmann maintained Joel’s death for narrative impact, despite Pedro Pascal’s popularity.
  • Changes in the adaptation of Joel’s death made the scene more intimate and emotionally impactful.

In this latest episode of The Last of Us Season 2, titled “Through the Valley,” I’ve witnessed an extraordinary display that left even the uninitiated viewers scratching their heads about the direction the season might take now, given the absence of a key character. Despite Pedro Pascal being a fan favorite, the showrunners have been adamant about not omitting the contentious narrative from The Last of Us Part 2, considering it a crucial turning point in the main plot, regardless of any impact on the audience’s expectations.

In The Last of Us Season 2, while Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin made alterations such as reshuffling its timeline and introducing new characters like therapist Gail and her husband Eugene, the season remained deeply rooted in a pivotal death that served as a recurring theme. With Bella Ramsey playing Ellie, Isabella Merced portraying Dina, and Pedro Pascal as Joel, the creators of HBO’s The Last of Us felt it was necessary to sacrifice the tough survivor, despite the potential backlash, because they believed it was the most fitting choice for the storyline.

In Spite of Pedro Pascal’s Popularity, The Last of Us Creators Never Doubted He Would Face His Fate

In the most recent episode of “The Last of Us” podcast, as reported by ComicBook, Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann discussed the decision behind Joel’s death in season 2, episode 2. Druckmann mentioned that some fans had speculated that due to Pedro Pascal’s popularity, HBO might not allow Joel’s demise. However, Mazin clarified that it was never a question of whether Joel would meet his end in Season 2, as omitting it wouldn’t have the same emotional impact.

If you intend to narrate a tale focusing on repercussions, especially one involving a man who commits an abhorrent act for what appears to be a noble cause, it’s crucial that the narrative reflects the harshness of reality. In this context, the cruelty serves as the world’s response. This was never a matter of ‘if’, but rather ‘when’. After much deliberation, we decided that Episode 1 offered valuable insights into Joel’s state and his bond with Ellie, and their connection did not have a happy ending. As we move to Episode 2, this event unfolds, leaving us with a sense of devastation as it seems both her relationship with Joel was shattered, and now she is compelled to witness his demise. This feels like a double blow to the heart, given the broken bond and the forced spectacle of his death.

In the second episode of “The Last of Us” Season 2, the creators didn’t shy away from depicting a particularly harrowing moment, one that gamers had been dreading. Despite the gruesome manner in which Joel met his end in “The Last of Us Part 2”, the live-action portrayal was even more impactful because Joel seemed so authentic – fans had grown attached to him on a deeper level than the game had allowed. Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin made some adjustments to Joel’s demise in the series, one notable change being that Abby struck Joel with such force that his golf club snapped in half, leaving her to brutally beat him, making this scene more intimate and intense than ever before.

You can catch the second season of “The Last of Us” on both HBO and Max, as fresh episodes drop every Sunday evening at 9 pm Eastern Time and 6 pm Pacific Time.

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2025-04-22 15:05