The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 2: Recap and Ending Explanation? Why Does Joel Die?
The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 2 begins just after the events of the first, with Ellie, Joel, Dina, and Jesse trapped outside Jackson’s walls as a storm approaches and Abby’s group lurks in the mountains. Although citizens still comment on the kiss between Ellie and Dina, those details are quickly overtaken by a chain of devastating events. An ambush in the mountains causes an attack by a horde of infected Jackson, and what seemed like an episode focused on emotional tensions gives way to a tragedy that will change the series forever: Joel’s death at the hands of Abby. The episode faithfully adapts one of the most controversial scenes in the video game, marking the beginning of Ellie’s transformation.
The Last of Us is among the most celebrated video games, and the series aims to match that acclaim. I enjoyed the beginning, despite many viewers finding it slow and a bit dull. If you’ve held a PS4 controller and played this Naughty Dog game, you recognize it was a promising start. Now, with the release of the second episode, those unfamiliar with The Last of Us are experiencing the emotional turmoil that many of us felt five years ago—how a video game can evoke feelings of pain, anger, and helplessness. While perfection is unattainable, HBO and Craig Mazin’s work on this second chapter comes impressively close. It deserves mention that there will be spoilers ahead, so I advise against reading further if you haven’t watched the episode yet, as knowing the plot twists diminishes the enjoyment (or suffering) it brings.
The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 2: Plot Summary and Recap
Everything falls apart; the tranquility of the false world they had created in Jackson could not continue for long. The first chapter was calm before the storm, and here it was quite a hurricane that has left us devastated. HBO has taken an attack on the city out of its sleeve that does not exist in the video game, but that has been a success for us to accept that we will never return to normality, that there is a world out there that wants us dead and that there will be no salvation for the human race. The way it has been shot has been masterful, making the tension maximum, and we do not have a single moment of respite, since this battle for the defense of the city is intermingled with the arrival of Joel at the refuge with Abby. All rolled and mounted in such a way that everything goes ‘in crescendo’ and we can only hold our breath and pray because everything ends soon.
The siege has been memorable, living up to what to expect from this platform, not only because of the technical deployment, which has been impressive, but also because of the emotional nature of this sequence. That addition surprised all the players who hoped that the climax would be the match between Abby and Joel, and deep down it has been, but that dressing has made the recipe magnificent. As far as Joel is concerned, well, he has superbly adapted to that crude and emotional moment. With licenses that have only penetrated the audience, they will have managed to get everything that has happened to them in the retina. We all hate Abby right now, but it has been justice, since our beloved protagonist could not escape his past or the acts he had committed. Neither she is the villain, nor Joel is the hero of this story, and as the plot progresses, we will realize that even Ellie is far removed from the role of heroine.
I believe that having involved Dinah instead of Tommy has been a success, so that he sets out on the road with Ellie, he is more organic than both of them launch in search of revenge. Pedro Pascal has embraced the role of Joel, and he has endorsed it, but there are two people that I should praise even more in this second episode of The Last of Us, and they are Bella Ramsey and Kaitlyn Dever. The first has taken a lot of hatred from a sector that did not see it as Ellie, and it is true that physically it moves away from what is expected, but at the interpretive level, I have to take off my hat for what he’s doing with his character. The moment of Joel’s death, and as she has shown, it is not available to many actresses, I can assure you. The Kaitlyn Dever thing is also for framing, the actress is also far from the physical wonder that is the Abby of the video game, but with her performance and her body expression, she has managed to create all that pain and anger in me. More considering that his mother passed away shortly before filming began.
The Last of Us has left me broken. Despite knowing what was going to happen, it has been painful, emotional, and capable of making me feel a roller coaster of emotions that few series have achieved. The chapter has always touched perfection, and I cannot point out any defect in what HBO and Craig Mazin have proposed to us. We are facing something that will be remembered as one of the best episodes of ‘Game of Thrones’ or other series. A decalogue of how to produce and direct a series for television. What is to come is going to be wonderful and open the door for other great titles in the world of video games to reach the small screen.
The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 2 Ending Explained: Why Does Joel Die?
Joel is killed by Abby, a young member of the group known as WLF (Washington Liberation Front). Abby’s motivation is clear: Joel killed his father, the surgeon who was going to operate on Ellie at the Fireflies hospital, and the rest of the medical team in Salt Lake City. After five years of searching, Abby brutally executes her revenge. The scene is almost identical to that of the video game, with small changes: in the series, Joel is accompanied by Dina instead of her brother Tommy. Despite Ellie’s pain at being emotionally estranged from Joel, her reaction after the murder is heartbreaking, evidencing the unbreakable bond that still united them.
What Does this Death Mean to Ellie?
Joel’s loss will be a turning point in Ellie’s life. Although she had unresolved conflicts with him, her murder arouses in her a fury that pushes her on a new path of revenge. Her connection to Jackson falters, and while she still has Jesse, Dina, Tommy, and Maria, the trauma isolates her. The next few episodes will show how Ellie deals with that pain and whether she will be able to break the cycle of violence or be consumed by it.
What Happened to Abby and Her Group After Joel’s Death?
Abby and her group return to Seattle, where they are part of the WLF, a militia pitted against Serafite fans. Although they could have killed Ellie or Dina, Abby was just looking for Joel. This decision will be crucial, as it leaves Ellie alive … and ready to take revenge.
Why Are the Infected Attacking Jackson?
The massive attack on Jackson does not appear in the original game, but it integrates perfectly into the series. Over the years, Jackson has continued to expand, digging into ancient infrastructure and unknowingly activating an underground cordyceps network. This network allowed the horde to communicate and converge towards the city. The attack leaves numerous civilian casualties, destroys part of Jackson’s infrastructure, and symbolizes that even the safest place is not without danger.
Does Tommy Survive the Confrontation with the Bloater?
During the attack, Tommy confronts a Bloater, one of the most feared creatures in the The Last of Us universe. When the creature launches towards Maria, Tommy distracts her and manages to finish off the monster using a flamethrower, demonstrating her bravery and combat ability.
What Will Become of Jackson Without Joel?
Joel’s death leaves a huge void, not just emotional but structural. The Jackson community has lost one of its pillars. Tommy and Maria should now guide reconstruction as they deal with their desire for revenge. Although the attack was devastating, the city managed to resist enough to stand up and possibly come out stronger.
Will Ellie Go After Abby?
Everything points to yes. In the trailer, she is seen approaching Seattle on horseback, following in the wake of Abby and her group. Just like in the game, Ellie will embark on her journey of revenge, facing the moral and emotional consequences of repeating the same cycle of violence that ended with Joel.
Is There a Post-Credit Scene in Episode 2?
No, the episode does not include a post-credit scene. However, the music, the plans, and the details of the closing already leave an emotional charge powerful enough to remain etched in the viewer’s mind.
The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 2
The second episode marks the point of no return for Ellie’s story. Joel’s loss not only modifies his world but also the series’ general narrative. HBO has bet on being faithful to the video game, crudely adapting the most controversial and emotional moment in the saga. With a wounded Jackson, a protagonist consumed by pain, and a new enemy on the horizon, The Last of Us prepares to explore the limits of revenge, trauma, and loss. Ellie’s journey has only just begun.
