If you thought The Last of Us couldn’t get more dramatic, think again. In a move that left fans reeling, Joel Miller—portrayed by Pedro Pascal—meets a shocking and violent end in season 2, episode 2 of the HBO series.
Abby, driven by revenge for her father’s murder at Joel’s hands, orchestrates his brutal demise. After Joel and Dina save Abby from a deadly infected horde, she lures them to a lodge under the pretense of safety. There, Abby reveals her true intentions. She incapacitates Dina and, in a harrowing sequence, beats Joel, shoots him in the leg, and ultimately kills him with a broken golf club—right in front of a helpless, devastated Ellie.
“Joel is savagely beaten into a bloody, semi-conscious state with a golf club before his life is ultimately taken—with Ellie restrained and forced to witness—by a steel stake through his ear. There’s no miraculous cure on the horizon; it wasn’t merely a nightmare.”
This moment, faithful to the video game’s storyline, marks a pivotal turning point for the series and sets Ellie on a relentless path of vengeance.
Why Did Joel Have to Die?
Joel’s death isn’t just for shock value. It’s a narrative gut punch that propels the story into new emotional territory. His actions at the end of season 1—saving Ellie by killing the Firefly doctors—come back to haunt him, making his demise both shocking and, in the world of The Last of Us, tragically inevitable.
What Happens Next?
With Joel gone, Ellie’s journey becomes one of grief, rage, and revenge. The series now pits her against Abby, setting up a cycle of vengeance that will define the rest of the story.
Table: Joel’s Death in the Show vs. the Game
| Aspect | TV Show (Season 2, Ep. 2) | Video Game (The Last of Us Part II) |
|---|---|---|
| Who kills Joel? | Abby | Abby |
| Method | Beaten, shot, stabbed with golf club | Beaten, killed with golf club |
| Witness | Ellie (restrained, forced to watch) | Ellie (restrained, forced to watch) |
| Timing | Early in season 2 | Early in the game |
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Does Joel’s death change the course of the story ?
💥 Yes—Joel’s death is the most pivotal event in the sequel, changing everything.
🟥 🔻 A Catalyst for Ellie’s Transformation Joel’s brutal murder doesn’t just shock—it shatters the emotional foundation of the story.
It becomes the driving force behind Ellie’s transformation, launching her into a dark and relentless quest for vengeance.
🔥 Her grief, guilt, and unresolved love for Joel become the emotional engine of the narrative.
🟦 🔄 A Shift in the Heart of the Story The first game centered on the bond between Joel and Ellie.
But after Joel’s death, the story evolves into a dual narrative, exploring:
- 🗡️ Revenge and its consequences
- 🤝 Empathy and forgiveness
- 🔁 The cyclical nature of violence
🧍♀️ Ellie and Abby become the new emotional pillars—each carrying their own burden, guilt, and truth.
🟨 🎯 New Perspectives, New Protagonists Joel’s death introduces Abby, whose perspective flips the script.
Initially hated, her motivations humanize her and force players/viewers to question:
Who is the hero? Who is the villain?
🟩 🌊 The Ripple Effects His death doesn’t just impact Ellie.
- Tommy, Joel’s brother, is fueled by vengeance.
- Dina, witnessing the trauma alongside Ellie, forges a deeper bond.
- In the show, other side characters may take on new roles, reshaping the emotional landscape.
🟫 📌 In Summary
🔥 Joel’s death is not just a twist—it’s the turning point.
It changes the direction of the story, the tone of the narrative, and the role of every major character.
The focus shifts from survival to a deeper exploration of:
💔 Loss
🎯 Purpose
🔄 The cost of revenge
Final Words:
Yes, Joel dies in The Last of Us—and his death is as brutal as it is unforgettable. This seismic event changes everything for Ellie and the world of the show, ensuring fans will be talking (and reeling) for seasons to come
