The second season of The Last of Us has only just premiered, but a single line from Kaitlyn Dever’s Abby—calling Joel “handsome”—has already ignited a wave of viral memes and fan reactions across the internet.
The Internet’s Thirst for Pedro Pascal
While the line was delivered in the heat of the series’ intense narrative, it immediately resonated with viewers who have long championed Pedro Pascal as a heartthrob. When Abby remarked on Joel’s appearance, referencing comments from those who witnessed his past actions, the moment quickly transitioned from a plot point to the perfect fuel for social media “thirst edits.” It is hard to shake the feeling that the writers were fully aware of the audience’s obsession with Pascal when crafting the script.
A Bizarre Narrative Choice?
Contextually, the line feels somewhat jarring. It begs the question: why would a member of the Fireflies, in the aftermath of her father’s death, feel the need to tell a grieving Abby that the man responsible was “a looker”? Many viewers have taken to social media to express their confusion regarding the logic behind this dialogue. It stands out as a meta-commentary on the actor’s popularity rather than a grounded character motivation for Abby, who is set to embark on a brutal vendetta against him.
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More Memes to Come
Despite the narrative head-scratching, the line has cemented itself as the first major inside joke of the season. With six episodes remaining, fans are bracing for more emotional turmoil, but it is clear that the internet is ready to find humor and obsession even in the darkest corners of this post-apocalyptic story.
