The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 1 Ending Explained: Why Does Abby Want to Kill Joel?

The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 1 starts with a temporary jump of five years after the events of the end of the first season. Joel and Ellie have settled in Jackson, Wyoming, where they have built a new life within the community. Joel is now head of construction, while Ellie seeks to get involved in scouting missions. However, peace is only superficial. The relationship between Joel and Ellie has cooled markedly, making it clear that something dark weighs on them, as a new threat grows in parallel: Abby, accompanied by her former fellow Fireflies, seeks revenge for the events that culminated in the Fireflies’ massacre. In Salt Lake City, his father was killed by Joel. While Bella Ramsey warns fans about The Last of Us Season 2 finale, the time has come to start analyzing the first details of the premiere episode of the second season of the acclaimed HBO television series based on the homonymous Playstation video game. The first episode of The Last of Us Season 2 includes the appearance of a new type of infected: In one scene, Dina and Ellie go on patrol with other members of the Jackson community before deciding to break away from the group and explore an abandoned indoor market.

As they wander the corridors, Ellie accidentally falls through the ceiling, ending up on the lower floor of a shop, and soon realizes that she is not alone… In the scene, however, the protagonist is not forced to face Clicker, Runner, or Bloater, but a Stalker, a new type of infected. During the episode, when Ellie and Dina report what they saw to Jackson’s security council, they describe this new creature as ‘smart’ and ‘able to plan a strategy’. This type of infection originates in the games of The Last of Us, where it is called “Stalker”: They appear in the first chapter of The Last of Us, but the information on their account is very limited. They are thought to be the second stage of the Cordyceps infection before the victim becomes a real Clicker (as demonstrated by the fact that the infection has not yet completely covered their face).

The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 1 Ending Explained: Why Does Abby Want to Kill Joel?

The episode introduces us to Abby (Kaitlyn Dever), shortly after Joel saved Ellie and killed her father and the Fireflies from the group she belonged to. Abby expresses her wishes for revenge and convinces his friends to go on their quest to assassinate him. The threat? Joel’s death will be slow. Abby is a character introduced in the second part of the video game on which this season is based. Five years after the events that occurred with the Fireflies, Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) have managed to find stability in the community of Jackson. Although there is a bit of peace, the torment of his past still haunts both characters, something we know from a scene where Dina (Isabela Merced) first appears in the series. She assures Joel that Ellie is upset, but no one knows why exactly.

Then we go into what is happening with Ellie, who is now 19. While time has made her stronger, she is still reckless, and this causes Joel to become even more protective. For now, Ellie works alongside the patrols at the shelter where they are, but no one talks about her immunity. Ellie leads an almost normal life (as normal as circumstances can be considered). The episode raises his friendship with Dina and also introduces Jesse (Young Mazino), another of the young men from the shelter with whom Dina has a relationship. Jesse is in charge of the patrol Ellie belongs to. Much of the episode raises the way Ellie operates alongside Dina, entering abandoned buildings to murder the infected.

Who is Eugene?

As for Joel this season, he has started taking therapy with a psychologist named Gail (Catherine O’Hara), a character introduced for the series. In the middle of the session, Gail confesses that she has discovered that Joel murdered her husband, Eugene. Not a character who appeared in season 1, Gail only mentions that she hates Joel for “the form” in which he killed him, thus leaving a mystery in the air that will surely be addressed in future episodes. This chapter of The Last of Us takes place in New Year, the community prepares for a church party. There, Ellie dances with Dina, who is a little drunk, and kisses her in the middle of the dance floor. From previous scenes, the tension between the two characters had been glimpsed, but everything ends badly when Seth, one of the members of the refuge, insults them, and Joel pushes him violently. It is a breaking point for Joel and Ellie, as she openly expresses her disgust, screaming that she does not need help.

Where is Abby’s Group Headed?

At the end of the episode, Abby and her colleagues, now part of the group known as the Washington Liberation Front, decide to undertake the search for Joel to avenge the death of the Fireflies and, especially, of his father. Although some group members prefer to turn the page, Abby is determined to find him and make sure his death is slow and painful. Meanwhile, in Jackson, the distant relationship between Joel and Ellie remains a focal point. Although it is not explicit, everything indicates that Ellie has discovered Joel’s great lie about the cure, something that poisons every interaction between them.

Why Does Abby Want to Kill Joel?

Abby’s motivation is deeply tied to the events of the end of season 1. Joel razes the Fireflies’ base in Salt Lake City to save Ellie, killing Abby’s father, a crucial doctor who worked on the cordyceps cure, among others. For Abby, her father’s death is personal, and she is determined to avenge him.

What Happened Between Joel and Ellie in These Five Years?

The episode reveals that, despite living in Jackson, the relationship between Joel and Ellie has deteriorated. Joel even attends therapy, where it is hinted that he continues to bear the weight of the lie he told Ellie about the cure. Although not entirely confirmed, it is clear that Ellie suspects —or even knows — the truth, which has generated an emotional distance between the two.

Who is Eugene, and Why Did Joel Kill Him?

The series introduces a new character not present in the game: Joel’s therapist, who reveals that Joel killed her husband, Eugene. While Eugene was a Jackson patrol car in the game who died of a stroke, the series suggests that Joel killed him, probably because Eugene would have become infected, although the details are still unclear.

The Evolution of the Infected

During a patrol, Ellie and Dina are trapped in a supermarket, where they discover that the infected have evolved. These show smarter and more strategic behaviors, increasing the threat to Jackson and humanity in general.

What Happens Between Ellie and Dina?

The relationship between Ellie and Dina begins to flourish. Although Dina had an intermittent relationship with Jesse, there are clear hints of romance between them, as seen at the New Year’s dance. This narrative line closely follows the original story of the video game The Last of Us Part II.

How Faithful is the Episode to the Game?

The first episode of season 2 maintains great fidelity to the video game, although it adds new scenes, such as Joel’s therapy sessions, to delve into the characters. Key moments like Abby’s chase, the supermarket ambush, and Ellie and Dina’s interaction at the dance remain intact, anticipating that the series will closely follow game events.

Conclusion of The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 1

The episode masterfully establishes the pieces for the season, with latent tensions, evolution in the infected, and a path of revenge that marks the fate of the characters. The series aims to maintain the essence of the original game while adding additional layers of depth to the protagonists. Abby and her group are heading towards an inevitable confrontation with Joel, while Ellie deals with mistrust towards her protector and a possible new connection with Dina. The countdown to the tragedy has already begun.