6 Theories For How The Last Of Us Season 2 Will Deal With Its Big Joel Moment
Part 2 of HBO’s The Last of Us will naturally be highly anticipated due to the success of the first part, but due to the shocking opening of The Last of Us Part II, the pressure is on for a second part of the continuing series. The interest in Joel’s story is even greater. Near the beginning of the second game, Joel, played by Troy Baker in the game and by Pedro Pascal in the live-action cast of The Last of Us, is brutally beaten to death by a vengeful Abby, and the rest The rest of the game ensues. by ‘Ellie. seek revenge. It was a shocking and controversial way to open a video game, and the series would have a hard time replicating it. Before the strike began, The Last of Us star Pedro Pascal spoke about how he didn’t know how the show was going to handle Joel’s death, or how much of season two he would be in. Despite how controversial Joel’s death was, it led to some of the best storytelling in the history of video games, but TV is a different medium and the showrunners may want to go a different, more surprising way of adapting the game. With The Last Of Us season 2 eying to begin production in early 2024, it is only a matter of time until Joel’s fate is revealed.
Joel Will Die In The First Episode Of The Last Of Us Season 2
Sometimes the simplest answer is the right answer. If The Last of Us season 2 is faithful to the video game, Joel will most likely die at the end of the first episode. The game jumps forward several years from the first game, which would be appropriate given the many years off between seasons, finding Joel and Ellie in a precarious state since she discovered the truth about the disaster close to his hospital. Before the two can spend much time together, Abby, the daughter of murdered Dr. Joel, comes to take revenge by beating Joel to death. Part 1 of The Last Of Us was very faithful to the video game, almost to a fault, so it stands to reason that the second part would be just as faithful. Unfortunately, this will limit Pascal’s time on the show, but Bella Ramsey, who plays Ellie, is more than capable of leading the show, and Ellie’s path of revenge is enough to last several seasons. For any viewers unfamiliar with the game, this will also be a shocking introduction to the series and will hook them immediately. While this won’t come as a shock to all gamers, it’s probably the best way to tell the story.
Joel Will Die Mid-Way Through The Last Of Us Season 2
Showrunner Craig Mazin has spoken about how it will take multiple seasons to adapt the sprawling narrative of The Last of Us Part II. The game is simple too long and too dense to fit into eight episodes of TV, but this also allows the show to flesh the game out and develop more interactions between the characters. Without changing the story or the structure all that drastically, Joel could die halfway through the second season, giving the audience more time with him and Ellie before Abby rips them apart.
Last Of Us Season 2 Will Tell The Game’s Story In A More Linear Fashion
Most of Joel’s scenes in the game are flashbacks that take place between games. These flashbacks reveal how Ellie discovered the truth about the fireflies as well as their eventual reconciliation. These are powerful scenes that land at the perfect moments in the game, but for the medium of television, it may be more effective to tell the story linearly, with these flashbacks just being most of the second season. This will again extend the plot of the game into multiple seasons and allow more time for the audience to be with Joel.
Joel Will Die At The End Of The Last Of Us Season 2
Assuming the show decides to deviate from the source material and make significant changes to Joel’s death, this would make for a major twist by the end of season 2. Instead of being the inciting incident for Ellie’s vengeful trip to Abby, Joel could join her on this quest, only to meet a grisly fate once they get to Abby. Not only would this give an entire season of Joel and Ellie dealing with the fallout of the first game, but it would also be a shocking twist for everyone watching, not just those who haven’t played the game.
Joel Won’t Die In Season 2
While this may just be wishful thinking, there is always the possibility that Joel won’t die in season two of The Last of Us, and the writers are saving that story for future episodes. There is so much to explore with the world and characters of the show, so there is no need to rush towards the definitive ending of the second game. Joel’s death is all but inevitable, but the show does not need to rush it. Telling a slower-paced story can work for The Last of Us season 2.
Last Of Us Season 2 Will Have Even More Flashbacks Than The Game
No matter how The Last Of Us season 2 decides to handle Joel’s death, his departure doesn’t close the door for the character, or Pascal, to appear in more episodes. Like the game, the series will likely include some flashbacks to Joel and Ellie, but the series could add even more. While the game is mostly linear with some flashbacks, the series is able to split it evenly, dedicating half the season to the past and Joel. The show could even explore Joel’s life before the outbreak and how he has changed as a person and a father.