Long-time fans of The Last of Us finally saw the show’s massive audience experience the franchise’s most devastating turning point last night, as the second episode of season two saw Joel Miller’s journey come to a violent end. For millions of viewers who never touched the original games, the shocking death—delivered by Kaitlyn Dever’s Abby—has left the internet in a state of collective mourning.
A Shared Trauma for Newcomers
There is a unique thrill in watching newcomers experience a beloved story for the first time, but for The Last of Us, that experience is steeped in heartbreak. While those who played The Last of Us Part II have lived with this knowledge for years, the HBO adaptation has now brought that same visceral shock to a massive mainstream audience. Pedro Pascal’s time as Joel has concluded, and the brutal golf club sequence—a pivotal moment in the source material—has officially cemented its place in television history.
The Public Enemy Number One
Joel’s death is designed to be more than just a tragic narrative beat; it is engineered to provoke genuine rage, mirroring Ellie’s own descent into vengeance. The reaction has been instantaneous: Abby is once again being labeled public enemy number one by the fandom. However, despite the intense hatred directed at her character, the critical consensus remains focused on the quality of the adaptation, with many praising Kaitlyn Dever’s performance during this high-stakes, decisive sequence.
Comparing the Adaptation to the Source Material
As the dust settles, the inevitable debate between game purists and TV-only viewers has reignited. A primary point of contention is the show’s departure from the quiet, sudden brutality found in the game. Critics of the episode point to the show’s tendency to over-explain character motivations, specifically noting that Abby’s pre-kill monologue felt like an unnecessary departure from the game’s sharper, more restrained delivery.
What Lies Ahead for Season Two?
With five episodes remaining in the season, the narrative path forward remains uncertain. HBO has opted to stretch the source material across multiple seasons, meaning viewers looking for immediate catharsis or resolution regarding Ellie’s quest for revenge likely won’t find it before the season finale. For now, the audience is left to sit with the reality that Joel Miller is gone—a pain that game fans have been holding onto for the last two years.
