The Last of Us Season 2 Delivers a Shocking, Gutsy Blow to Fans
Wow. I just finished episode two of season two of The Last of Us , and I’m honestly still trying to catch my breath. If you thought this show was going to coast on the success of its first season and serve up another round of Joel-and-Ellie bonding through a crumbling world, think again. HBO just yanked the emotional rug right out from under us in a way that echoes some of the boldest — and most traumatic — moves in TV history.
Yes, it happened. Joel, played with all his usual rugged charm and emotional depth by Pedro Pascal, is gone. Brutally killed. And I mean brutally . If you're familiar with the second Last of Us video game, you knew this moment was coming. But even if you were prepared, seeing it unfold in live-action is something else entirely. The pacing, the sounds, the helplessness of it all — it’s gut-wrenching.
Also Read:- Tom Aspinall Hints at Jon Jones Fight But Remains 'Sworn to Secrecy'
- Jimmy Butler Steals the Spotlight in Warriors’ Playoff Debut
What’s wild is how deliberate this all feels. The creators, Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin, didn’t flinch from adapting this controversial plot point from the game. They didn’t soften it. They didn’t apologize for it. Instead, they leaned in, betting that the audience would stick around to see the story through. It's risky — especially when your biggest star gets taken out in episode two. But it’s also brave as hell.
I get that people are upset. I was upset. Joel felt like the anchor of the show, the emotional center. His relationship with Ellie was the heartbeat of season one. But The Last of Us has never been about safety or predictability. It's a story about grief, trauma, revenge, and ultimately — hopefully — redemption. And Joel's death, as awful as it is, fuels all of that.
What makes it work — at least for me — is how the show avoids falling into the same traps that other series have. Think of The Walking Dead and how they stretched Glenn’s death out, teased it, reversed it, and then finally delivered it with such excess that many viewers just gave up. The Last of Us doesn't do that. Joel’s end is swift, painful, and real. There’s no cliffhanger, no tricks — just a gut punch that leaves you stunned.
And if you’re wondering whether this show can survive without Joel? I think it can. Ellie’s journey is only just beginning, and the shadow of Joel will loom large in everything she does from here on out. His presence isn't gone — not really. Through flashbacks, memory, and the sheer emotional weight of his actions, he’ll continue to shape this story.
So yeah, I’ll keep watching. And if you’re on the fence, my advice is: breathe, mourn, and keep going. This is still one of the most daring stories TV has dared to tell — and I have a feeling the best (and most devastating) parts are still ahead.
Read More:
0 Comments