Probably the most heartbreaking episode of the show dropped last Sunday, and everybody is asking the same question: ‘Is Joel dead?’ And I want to answer that as soon as possible, but before that, you should be warned about spoilers related to Joel’s death in The Last of Us.
Spoiler Alert: This article contains MAJOR spoilers from The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 2. Proceed only if you’ve already watched the episode or don’t mind reading key plot developments.
Yes, Joel dies in Episode 2 of The Last of Us Season 2!
His death scene closely follows the game’s storyline with cinematic adjustments. The aftermath deeply affects both Ellie and Tommy, setting the tone for the rest of the season.
Joel’s fate in The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 2 has everyone left teary-eyed, even gamers who already knew what was coming. And what you saw has happened. I understand that some of you might be having a hard time accepting this truth, but regarding your question, ‘Is Joel dead in episode 2?’, the answer is yes!
Joel dies in The Last of Us Season 2. Whether you were ready or not for his death, it has happened, and it’s the point from where zombies don’t remain the main concern of the show- it’s the people. All kinds of them.
But it’s not only you or me who felt some sweat in their eyes. Mark Mylod, the director of the episode, also couldn’t hold back his tears while filming the chilling scene. Mylod also kept the accuracy of the Abby x Joel sequence as close to the games as possible, while making some minor changes to deliver the freshness for gamers.
How does Joel’s death in The Last of Us show compare to games?
The Last of Us Season 2 has changed several elements compared to the game. For instance, Eugene in the show had a backstory a little different than the games.
In The Last of Us games, instead of Joel and Dina, there were Joel and Tommy who rescued Abby when the horde attacked her. Before that, the sequence you saw with Jesse and Ellie, that actually happened with Ellie and Dina when they find Eugene’s stash and get high there. It was the Day 1 sequence in Seattle, during the very early hours of The Last of Us 2 gameplay.
Anyway, after Joel and Tommy left the city in the games, Ellie went after them when they didn’t return for a while.
That’s how she reaches the moment that you saw in the episode. Jesse wasn’t part of the whole sequence there, nor was Dina. So that was a change brought to the show.
Here’s the thing, though, after the whole sequence of Joel’s death, it’s not only Ellie who gets very affected, it’s Tommy too. He was there with Joel when they were caught by Abby and her group. That got buried in his mind, and I am looking forward to seeing how the show changes him.
But a fair warning, he and Ellie from here are going to be different people. Comic relief moments? Forget that. As much as I know games, we’re in for action, way more zombies, and terrifying cults that are waiting for Ellie and Abby both!
Bella’s reaction as Ellie felt like a Flashback
I am saying this as someone who has played The Last of Us games on repeat. While the first one has that nostalgic charm that keeps you attached to the beginnings, the second one is a better-looking and more action-packed experience.
So, when Joel’s crossover with Abby comes to a conclusion, Ellie does some great acting there in the games. And honestly, Bella maintained that charm. The impact was refreshed, and tears were triggered. She definitely knew what she was doing, and she nailed it.
Mylod, about Bella and Kaitly (who played Abby in the show), had said this:
“Kaitlyn and Bella had to make themselves so vulnerable over multiple days to find extraordinary mental and physical stamina — to take themselves to the edge so that nothing was left on the table, emotionally.
There’s always one take that does it. We built up a number of takes with Bella of just me and her feeling that there was further she could go, and she was prepared to go further. Then there was one take where I just couldn’t talk afterwards with tears running down my face, and that’s the lovely moment as a director where you know that’s the one.”
So, what happens now between Ellie and Abby
I am again warning you of spoilers. It’s going to get dirty, so close the blog if you want to enjoy it to the fullest potential.
But if you’re still interested in knowing, who am I to stop you?
Well, now that Joel is dead, Ellie goes after Abby. But it’s not that simple as you’re thinking. The Last of Us Season 2 isn’t the story of revenge. Nobody wins or loses. It’s a story fueled with grief where both are wrong, and both are right as well.
There might come a moment when you have to pick a side. But don’t hope to win, as I said, there’s no winning this one.
To figure out what I am blabbering about, you will have to wait for the next episodes to come.
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I will see you around!
