David Bridges
Since the exciting announcement of The Last of Us being renewed for a highly anticipated second season, fans have been buzzing with curiosity about the pivotal moments to come. Among the most pressing questions circulating within the community is: when will the show address the shocking event that fans dread? By “it,” we are referring to the significant narrative twist that involves…
The death of Joel. This tragic moment serves as the inciting incident in The Last of Us Part II, igniting a chain of events that shapes the narrative’s trajectory. Despite this, many fans of the original video games speculated that the series might delay this heart-wrenching event to the middle or even the latter part of the season, with hopes of keeping Joel (portrayed by Pedro Pascal) around for a longer duration. However, in the episode titled “Through the Valley,” the storyline unfolds in alignment with how it is portrayed in the source material. In a gripping sequence, Abby (played by Kaitlyn Dever) is rescued by Joel and Dina (Isabela Merced) from a pack of Infected. Once alone with him, she reveals the truth about her parents’ deaths, which he caused during his rampage in the hospital, before brutally taking his life using a golf club. In a notable deviation from the game, Ellie (Bella Ramsay) does not witness the entire brutal scene; instead, she arrives just in time to see her father figure’s bloodied face and Abby delivering the final blow with the remnants of the club.
As a result of this shocking event, Joel is undeniably gone, marking a profound turning point that propels Ellie into a relentless quest for vengeance. Those familiar with The Last of Us Part II are well aware of the tumultuous path that lies ahead for both Ellie and Abby (hint: it does not end well), while newcomers to the story are in for a gripping emotional journey. We invite you to share your thoughts on this dramatic turn of events in the comments section below. Stay tuned for our comprehensive recap of the entire episode, which will be available in the morning.
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Daniel Mercer
