(Spoiler Alert: This article will reveal and analyze a pivotal moment from Sunday night’s episode, so if you haven’t watched it yet, please stop here — go watch it and then return for the discussion!)

Fans of the immensely popular game series that inspired the show have been filled with anticipation and anxiety since the premiere of the first season. The creative deviations from the source material have sparked a sense of hope that perhaps the narrative might unfold in unexpected and thrilling ways, captivating both seasoned players and newcomers. This sense of uncertainty adds to the suspense, making each episode a rollercoaster of emotions as viewers grapple with the potential outcomes for their beloved characters.

It was a shocking moment when a significant event unfolded in the second game, The Last of Us: Part II, and the same shock reverberated again on Sunday night. What other series would dare to eliminate what is arguably its main character so early on in the story — aside from Game of Thrones? This bold narrative choice has sparked discussions among fans, highlighting the risks taken by the creators to provide a gripping and unforgettable viewing experience.

Indeed, the event transpired much like it did in the video game, amplifying the emotional turmoil for both fans of the show and those who have played the games. The visceral impact of the scene is reminiscent of the gut-wrenching moments from The Walking Dead, such as the death of Glenn, or the infamous “Red Wedding” from Game of Thrones, making it a standout moment in television history.

Compounding the emotional weight, the unexpected death resulted from actions that viewers had witnessed unfold during the first season. The Last of Us Season 2 resumes five years after the events of the Emmy-winning inaugural season, which adds layers of complexity to the storyline and character arcs.

In this intense narrative arc, Pedro Pascal’s character, Joel, makes the heart-wrenching decision to kill an unarmed doctor who is performing a procedure on Bella Ramsey’s Ellie that could potentially save humanity from the devastating cordyceps infection. This morally complex choice underscores Joel’s protective instincts and the lengths he is willing to go to for Ellie, ultimately leading to a profound moment of conflict and consequence.

The death of the doctor was one of many casualties as Joel eliminates a group known as the Fireflies in his desperate attempt to rescue Ellie and escape the hospital where the procedure was set to take place. This sequence not only highlights Joel’s desperation but also cements the moral ambiguity of his actions, posing questions about sacrifice and the value of human life in a post-apocalyptic world.

This fateful decision came back to haunt Joel in a brutal twist during Sunday night’s episode when the doctor’s daughter, new character Abby (Kaitlyn Dever), tracks him down and savagely beats him to death with a golf club. This horrific scene unfolds as Ellie can only watch in horror, unable to intervene, which deepens the emotional impact for viewers and characters alike, illustrating the harrowing consequences of Joel’s previous choices.

In a video shared by HBO that offers fans an inside look at the episode, Ramsey expressed that she “sobbed her little heart out” just from reading that moment in the script. She was among those who “knew Joel was going to die right from Season 1,” which adds another layer of emotional complexity to the viewing experience.

“I knew it was coming as I was reading the episode, and I was dreading getting to that bit,” she stated. “It was the first time I ever cried from reading a script,” highlighting the profound emotional resonance of the narrative for the actors involved.

Pascal added that this strong emotional response from the cast and audience is a testament to the incredible storytelling behind the series. “I think that if it’s extremely painful for people, that’s clearly an incredible achievement of the storytelling,” he stated, underscoring the show’s ability to elicit deep emotional reactions.

The actor mentioned that he had an inkling about his character’s ultimate fate when he signed on for the role, which adds a layer of inevitability to the character’s journey and the emotional stakes involved.

“It’s not like they said, ‘Hey, we kill you at the start of Season 2,’” he told Entertainment Weekly. “But it was always an understanding that it would stay true to the source material in a specific way, and that the, for example, practical and original obligation would be for Season 1.” This insight reflects the careful balancing act that the creators must navigate between honoring the original game and crafting a compelling television narrative.

“It was just a matter of how and when,” he added, emphasizing the inevitability of the narrative’s direction and the dramatic tension that builds throughout the story.

“Part of what makes The Last of Us relatable to those of us who aren’t living in a fungal apocalypse is that it portrays the shattering nature of loss,” said co-showrunner Craig Mazin. “It talks about what’s left behind when someone is torn away from you. Then you start to wonder what cost we all pay in our lives — all of us — for caring about those who mean so much,” highlighting the universal themes of love and loss that resonate deeply with audiences.

“So many times adaptations fail to capture that moment. Here, I feel so lucky that we did,” added Neil Druckmann, Mazin’s fellow co-showrunner and co-creator of the video games. “Knowing now Pedro and Bella, I had little doubt that we’d succeed because I understand how they act and what they bring to the role. The fact that it still works just speaks to the magic of these incredible actors,” emphasizing the importance of strong performances in bringing the story to life.

Dever, who portrays Abby and ultimately ends Joel’s life, stated it was “heartbreaking” for her to watch the scene unfold. “I watched you guys in season 1, and your relationship was so beautiful. And watching the end of you guys was really, really hard for me, as a viewer,” she admitted during a group interview with Pascal and Ramsey for Entertainment Weekly.

While that shocking moment did indeed happen, the creators allowed Ellie one final moment with Joel. “That was in there from the very beginning,” Mazin told Variety. “She has no reason to think she’s going to survive. She’s not crawling over there just to say goodbye. She’s crawling over there so she can be with him in death,” highlighting the poignant emotional connection between the characters.

“This is where she wants to be, and it’s when she takes his hand,” he continued. “We’ve seen her do it before. Bella Ramsey, geez,” underscoring the powerful performances that convey the depth of their relationship.

And while Joel’s story appears to have reached its conclusion in the present timeline, there are still abundant opportunities for Pascal to continue his role, as the TV series has delved deeper into flashbacks and dreams than the video games. With a five-year gap between seasons, there are likely many moments that could be explored further between Joel and Ellie, enriching their backstory and emotional depth.

In the meantime, fans are processing the shocking events that just unfolded — for those who had some idea it was coming, and for those who were completely blindsided by the twist. The emotional fallout is palpable, demonstrating the investment viewers have in these characters and their journeys.

Fans will get to witness how the new normal unfolds as The Last of Us continues airing Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO, promising more intense storytelling and character development.