Does Joel die in The Last of Us? The Last of Us has established itself as a master of storytelling, blending raw emotion with a post-apocalyptic backdrop. Season 2, particularly its second episode, “Through the Valley,” delivers a jolt that has fans excited. For those unfamiliar with the video game The Last of Us Part II, this moment reshapes the story in a way that’s both heartbreaking and important. Let’s find out what happens, how it unfolds, and why it matters.
An Unfortunate Encounter in Jackson
In The Last of Us, Joel, the aging guard from Season 1, faces a new reality in the fortified town of Jackson, Wyoming. Five years after his violent decision to save Ellie—killing members of the Fireflies to prevent her death for a potential cure—the consequences loom. A young woman named Abby, driven by vengeance, arrives in Jackson. Her motive? Joel’s actions in Salt Lake City cost him a loved one.
While on patrol with Ellie’s friend Dina, Joel encounters Abby, who is in the middle of a chaotic situation involving a horde of infected people. Seeking shelter, they arrive at a remote lodge where Abby’s colleagues are waiting for them. What ensues is a brutal act: Abby, overcome with grief, attacks Joel, and Ellie arrives just in time to witness the devastating consequences. This scene is a turning point in The Last of Us, shocking the audience as the story focuses on Ellie’s reaction.
Credit: Liane Hentscher/HBO
How the Show Differs From The Game
Fans of The Last of Us Part II will notice key changes in the HBO adaptation. In the game, Joel’s encounter with Abby involves his brother Tommy, not Dina. The show replaces Tommy with Dina to deepen her connection to Joel’s loss, further establishing her role in Ellie’s journey. Additionally, the series introduces a massive infected attack on Jackson, absent in the game, which adds to the high-stakes action and underscores the community’s vulnerability.
Abby’s portrayal in The Last of Us has also been altered. While the game initially features her as an antagonist, the show first builds empathy through new scenes, such as a dream sequence revisiting her past. These changes are intended to reduce the polarizing reaction Abby provoked among gamers, where her actions sparked fierce debate and even toxic backlash against the creators.
The Emotional Weight of Loss
The question “Does Joel die in The Last of Us?” isn’t just about the act itself—it’s about what it means for Ellie and the story. Joel’s death pushes Ellie into a vortex of anger and grief, beginning a quest for vengeance that defines most of Season 2. The Last of Us excels at exploring loss, showing how it breaks relationships and pushes characters to extremes. Seeing Joel’s final moments only deepens Ellie’s trauma, setting her on a path that tests her humanity.
For the audience, the scene is a masterclass in restraint. The violence is contained rather than graphic, with the camera focusing on the agony in Ellie’s eyes and the reactions of those around her. This approach raises the emotional stakes, making Joel’s absence feel like a wound that lingers forever in The Last of Us.
What’s next for The Last of Us?
While Joel’s fortunes have turned, The Last of Us isn’t completely done with him. The flashbacks hinted at in the trailer will likely revisit his story, showing glimpses of his bond with Ellie and unresolved tensions. These moments promise to keep Joel’s presence alive, even if Ellie is at the center. The Last of Us season 2 also introduces new characters, such as a therapist named Gale, who could shed light on Joel’s past struggles.
The overarching story of The Last of Us now rests on Ellie and Abby, two women bound by loss and vengeance. Their parallel journeys raise questions about justice, forgiveness, and the price of love in a broken world. As Jackson rebuilds after the infected attack, the show contrasts individual suffering with collective resilience, a theme that resonates deeply.
A Game-Changing Moment
Does Joel die in The Last of Us? Yes, and it’s a moment that redefines the series. Forging its own path while staying true to the games’ bold choices, The Last of Us delivers a story that’s as compelling as it is shocking. For fans old and new, this episode is a reminder of why the series remains a cultural force—not afraid to break hearts to tell a story that resonates with life’s hardest truths.
