Joel's Brutal End in The Last of Us Season 2 Episode

Warning: This blog contains major spoilers for The Last of Us Season 2, Episode 2, and The Last of Us Part II video game.

HBO’s The Last of Us has never shied away from gut-wrenching moments, but Season 2, Episode 2, titled “Through the Valley,” delivers a blow that leaves fans reeling. Joel Miller, the grizzled survivor and surrogate father to Ellie, meets a brutal end at the hands of Abby Anderson in a scene that faithfully adapts one of the most controversial moments from The Last of Us Part II video game. Directed by Game of Thrones veteran Mark Mylod and crafted by showrunners Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, this episode cements the show’s commitment to its source material while amplifying the emotional stakes for both gamers and newcomers. Let’s dive into Joel’s death, why it happened, and what it means for the future of The Last of Us.

The Shocking Moment: How Joel Dies in Season 2, Episode 2

Aired on April 20, 2025, Episode 2 picks up the threads of tension woven in the Season 2 premiere. Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Dina (Isabela Merced) are on patrol near Jackson, Wyoming, when they encounter Abby (Kaitlyn Dever), a new character introduced as a former Firefly with a vendetta. Fleeing a horde of infected, Abby is saved by Joel, unaware that he’s the man she’s been hunting for years. She leads Joel and Dina to a lodge where her group, now aligned with the Washington Liberation Front (WLF), is waiting.

What follows is a masterclass in suspense and heartbreak. Abby reveals that her father was the Firefly doctor Joel killed in the Season 1 finale to save Ellie (Bella Ramsey) from a fatal surgery meant to harvest a cure. Consumed by grief and rage, Abby shoots Joel in the leg, beats him with a golf club, and, as Ellie arrives too late to intervene, delivers a fatal blow by driving the club’s splintered shaft into his neck. The camera lingers on Ellie’s anguished screams and Joel’s bloodied, lifeless body, with Ashley Johnson’s haunting rendition of “Through the Valley” playing over the scene—a nod to the game’s 2016 trailer. Unlike the game, where Abby crushes Joel’s skull, the show opts for a slightly less graphic but no less devastating depiction, making the moment visceral and unforgettable.

Does Joel Really Die? Comparing the Show to the Game

For those asking, “Is Joel actually dead?” the answer is a resounding yes. Both in The Last of Us Part II and Season 2 of the HBO series, Joel’s death is permanent, with no last-minute saves or miraculous recoveries. The game, released in 2020, shocked players by killing Joel early, roughly two hours in, setting Ellie on a path of vengeance. The show mirrors this timeline, placing Joel’s death in the second of seven episodes, a bold choice that risks alienating viewers attached to Pedro Pascal’s charismatic performance.

However, the show introduces key differences. In the game, Joel is with his brother Tommy (Gabriel Luna) when Abby’s group ambushes them, and Ellie arrives after the fact, informed by Tommy. The series swaps Tommy for Dina as Joel’s patrol partner and has Ellie witness the murder, amplifying her trauma. Additionally, the show intercuts Joel’s death with a massive infected attack on Jackson, a sequence not in the game, directed with blockbuster intensity by Mylod. This parallel chaos underscores the fragility of safety in this post-apocalyptic world and gives Tommy and Maria (Rutina Wesley) a gripping subplot defending their community.

Neil Druckmann, who co-created the game and series, explained to Deadline that the show traded surprise for suspense by revealing Abby’s motives earlier, a choice that heightens dread for viewers familiar with the game. “We’re not as precious about spoilers,” Druckmann said, noting that live-action violence hits harder, allowing them to dial back the gore while preserving the scene’s brutality. Craig Mazin echoed this, admitting to TheWrap that Joel’s death was non-negotiable: “I told [Pedro] the very first time we Zoomed, ‘In Season 2, he’s gonna die.’”

Why Did They Kill Joel? The Narrative Purpose

Joel’s death is the emotional detonator for The Last of Us Part II and Season 2, igniting a cycle of revenge that explores grief, morality, and the cost of vengeance. In the game, his murder by Abby—voiced by Laura Bailey and portrayed with fierce intensity by Kaitlyn Dever in the show—sparks Ellie’s relentless pursuit of justice, forcing players to grapple with both perspectives. Abby’s father, a doctor, was one of the many Joel killed to save Ellie, making her quest for retribution as personal as Ellie’s.

The show deepens this debate by introducing Abby’s trauma upfront. A nightmare sequence in Episode 2 shows a若い Abby discovering her father’s body in the Salt Lake City hospital, setting the stage for her vengeance. As Mazin told TheWrap, the story probes whether the punishment fits the crime, with Joel’s actions in Season 1—saving Ellie at the cost of a potential cure—casting him as both hero and villain. This moral ambiguity, a hallmark of Druckmann’s writing, challenges viewers to question whether Abby’s brutality or Ellie’s eventual response is justified.

For Ellie, Joel’s death is shattering. Despite their strained relationship, hinted at in Season 2’s premiere through Joel’s therapy sessions with Gail (Catherine O’Hara), he remains her anchor. Bella Ramsey’s quieter, more devastated performance contrasts with Ashley Johnson’s raw, hysterical Ellie in the game, yet both capture the profound loss. Johnson, who plays Ellie in the games and sings “Through the Valley” in the show, brings an extra layer of poignancy, her voice a bridge between the two mediums.

The Cast and Creative Team: Bringing the Tragedy to Life

The ensemble cast delivers powerhouse performances. Pedro Pascal imbues Joel with a weary tenderness, making his final moments all the more tragic. Kaitlyn Dever’s Abby is a revelation—less physically imposing than her game counterpart but radiating a chilling intensity that makes her both sympathetic and terrifying. Bella Ramsey anchors the episode, their Ellie teetering between rage and despair, while Isabela Merced and Young Mazino (as Jesse) add depth to Jackson’s tight-knit community.

Mark Mylod’s direction elevates the episode to cinematic heights. Known for Succession and Game of Thrones, Mylod proves adept at balancing intimate character drama with large-scale action. His work on the Jackson infected attack, described by Slate as evoking “gut-gnawing tension,” showcases his ability to juggle spectacle and emotion. Mazin and Druckmann’s writing, meanwhile, stays true to the game’s spirit while adapting it for TV’s pacing, ensuring Joel’s death lands with maximum impact.

Does Abby Die? What’s Next for Season 2?

Fans wondering about Abby’s fate will have to wait. In The Last of Us Part II, Abby survives, though her journey is fraught with loss and moral reckoning. The show, with only seven episodes this season, may not cover the entire game, as Druckmann told GQ that Part II’s story spans multiple seasons. Posts on X reflect mixed sentiments, with some fans devastated by Joel’s death (@vinescabin

: “JOEL IS ACTUALLY ALIVE AND THRIVING”) and others debating Abby’s arc @CumOnKnicks

 outlining her later encounters with Ellie).

Season 2 will likely focus on Ellie’s vengeance, with flashbacks featuring Joel to soften the blow of his absence. Pascal’s reported filming of multiple scenes suggests we’ll see him in memories, perhaps exploring the rift with Ellie teased in Episode 1. The infected attack on Jackson, a show-exclusive addition, sets up new challenges for Tommy and Maria, while Abby’s group heads to Seattle, per game lore, hinting at future confrontations.

The Fan Reaction and Legacy of Joel’s Death

Joel’s death has sparked intense discussion, much like it did in 2020 when The Last of Us Part II divided gamers. X posts capture the raw emotion, from shock (@Soul_StormOP

: “there’s no f***ing way they just offed Joel”) to denial (@dayasrussell’s hopeful alternate reality). Slate compares the moment to Game of Thrones’ Red Wedding, predicting it could redefine TV shockers, while Time notes its necessity to Ellie’s arc, even as it alienates some fans.

For those new to the story, Joel’s death is a brutal wake-up call that The Last of Us isn’t about happy endings. For game fans, it’s a faithful yet fresh take on a defining moment. As Mazin told Deadline, “This episode is upsetting to me, too. We’re not here snickering. This hurts.” The pain is the point, driving Ellie—and the audience—into uncharted territory.

Final Thoughts: Why Joel’s Death Matters

Joel Miller’s death, whether in The Last of Us Part II or Season 2, Episode 2, is more than a plot twist; it’s a narrative pivot that redefines the story. Pedro Pascal’s soulful performance, Kaitlyn Dever’s layered Abby, and Bella Ramsey’s heartbroken Ellie make this moment a standout in TV history. Mark Mylod’s direction and Ashley Johnson’s haunting song ensure it resonates on every level—visual, emotional, and auditory.

As The Last of Us Season 2 continues, Joel’s absence will loom large, shaping Ellie’s path and challenging viewers to confront the cost of love and revenge in a broken world. Whether you’re mourning Joel or bracing for what’s next, one thing is clear: this is must-watch television that dares to break your heart.

New episodes of The Last of Us Season 2 air Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and Max. For more details on the game, check out The Last of Us Part II on PlayStation or PC.