The Last of Us Season 2 Creator Says Joel’s Shocking Death Was Always Planned: ‘People Will Be Upset’

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In a moving turn of events for viewers, Episode 2 of HBO’s second season of The Last of Us has stirred strong emotions among fans, as the character Joel Miller, portrayed by Pedro Pascal, met a tragic end. This heart-wrenching demise was not unexpected to followers of the original game, The Last of Us Part II, where Joel’s ultimate fate had already been written.

In the series, character Joel is fatally struck by Abby Anderson (performed by Kaitlyn Dever), using a golf club, following his valiant rescue of her from dangerous infected assailants. The event itself is primarily hinted at rather than directly shown, but the subsequent consequences are both intense and unsettling.

According to executive producer Craig Mazin, the creative team had planned for Joel’s death from the start of Season 2. Mazin explained that many aspects of the first season subtly pointed towards this climactic moment, and he found it disappointing.

Speaking from my perspective as a lifestyle expert, I’d put it this way: “From the outset, the narrative structure of this story involves loss, making the events unfolding largely inevitable. Pedro Pascal was made aware of Joel’s fate in the series from the beginning, and it was explained to him that the show wouldn’t span seven seasons with him occupying that role, as reported by USA Today.

The series gradually unfolds Abby’s past and the motivation behind her quest for vengeance. A flashback set in a hospital shows that Abby’s father was the doctor whom Joel fatally wounded while saving Ellie in Season 1. Since then, Abby has been on a mission to find Joel. According to Mazin, in their last encounter, Joel appears to understand Abby’s thirst for vengeance and, to some extent, accepts her desire for retribution.

The narrative progresses as Ellie (Bella Ramsey), grappling with grief, takes action. Caught in a powerless state during Joel’s execution, she later swears vengeance. “Will Ellie follow Abby’s path, relentlessly pursuing and hunting her without mercy?” Mazin ponders.

In a straightforward manner, Mazin explained that this story isn’t about revenge but rather explores grief and how individuals cope with it. As for Joel’s final scene, his lifeless body is dragged through the snow back to Jackson. Mazin also hinted that Pedro Pascal’s character will reappear in future episodes, stating, “Pedro Pascal’s character will make a return on The Last of Us.

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2025-04-21 16:37