Editor’s note: The following content contains spoilers for The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 2 and The Last of Us: Part II.

This week’s compelling episode of The Last of Us, titled “Through the Valley,” brings to life one of the most impactful moments in video game history: the tragic death of Joel Miller (Pedro Pascal). For avid players of The Last of Us Part II, this scene has always sparked curiosity about its adaptation to the screen, not only due to its emotional weight but also because it marks the demise of a central character in one of the most critically acclaimed video game franchises of all time. Particularly for viewers who are only familiar with the television series and not the game, this shocking event serves as a pivotal turning point, fundamentally reshaping the narrative’s direction and emotional landscape.

In the realm of video games, Joel’s death is a profoundly significant moment that has provoked discussions among fans for years. Even for those aware of the impending loss, the impact is undeniably intense, especially as Ellie must come to terms with saying goodbye to the closest figure she has to a father, despite the complexities and fractures in their relationship. While the game presents this moment as brutally heartbreaking, The Last of Us television adaptation intensifies the emotional toll, enhancing the gravity of one of the most daring narrative choices made in this unique storytelling medium.

Exploring the Significance of Joel’s Death in ‘The Last of Us’

In the gaming world, while violence and character fatalities are commonplace, a character’s death rarely has a lasting impact, particularly when the character in question is the protagonist of one of the most cherished games ever created. Just like in the first season of The Last of Us, players become deeply invested in Joel (Troy Baker) and Ellie (Ashley Johnson) as they traverse North America on a mission to find the Fireflies in Salt Lake City, who may hold the key to creating a vaccine for the devastating outbreak ravaging their world. Throughout this narrative journey, it becomes nearly impossible not to form a bond with these characters, even as they navigate morally ambiguous choices that provoke ongoing debates about their actions.

This emotional investment is precisely why the opening sequences of the highly anticipated The Last of Us: Part II are so jarring and heart-wrenching. Upon reaching Salt Lake City, Joel makes a harrowing decision to eliminate the Fireflies after learning that Ellie must be sacrificed to develop a cure for the outbreak. As Part II unfolds, Joel demonstrates no remorse for his drastic actions, yet we, as players, come to understand the rationale behind his violent choice to protect the girl he considers his daughter. Conversely, when Abby (Laura Bailey) and her group—survivors of Joel’s devastating attack on Salt Lake City—encounter him, we empathize with her desire for vengeance, even as it contradicts our feelings towards a character we have grown to love.

While witnessing Joel’s brutal attack in the game is painful, especially as Ellie is forced to watch, it’s not merely the loss of a beloved character that renders this moment so impactful. At this juncture in the game—and indeed in the series—Joel and Ellie’s relationship is strained, marked by an unspoken rift. Beyond the tragedy of Joel’s death, there’s a heartbreaking awareness that Ellie will never have the chance to reconcile with him fully; their relationship ends on unresolved terms, and her singular source of support has been ripped away. Yes, permanent death for a major character is uncommon in video games, but the depth of emotional investment leading up to such a significant loss is virtually unprecedented, even as we approach five years since the game’s initial release.

The Diminishing Hope: A Turning Point in ‘The Last of Us’

The second episode of The Last of Us Season 2, “Through the Valley,” intensifies the bleakness surrounding Joel’s death by stripping away any remnants of hope for the characters involved. A notable deviation from the game is the inclusion of an attack on Jackson, where a massive horde of infected breaches its gates, leaving numerous citizens dead in the aftermath. Jackson stands as a beacon of hope within the video games, symbolizing a sanctuary where life endures, the community thrives, and normalcy seems within reach. It is here that Tommy (Gabriel Luna) resides, and it makes narrative sense that after Joel “rescues” Ellie (Bella Ramsey) from the Fireflies, he would bring her to this safe haven to begin their new chapter together. Before Joel is ambushed by Abby, he expresses a strong desire to return to Jackson and assist in fighting off the infected, believing both Tommy and Ellie are in imminent danger from the attack.

Additionally, the emotional weight of this moment is amplified by the character pairings. In the game, Joel and Tommy are on patrol, tricked by Abby into leading them back to her hideout, while Ellie partners with Dina to patrol a separate area. In the series adaptation, Ellie and Jesse (Young Mazino) seek refuge during the storm in Eugene’s weed-filled 7-11 hideout, while Dina (Isabela Merced) patrols with Joel, putting her in jeopardy as well. Although Ellie and Dina’s budding romance is far from anyone’s mind when the attack on Joel occurs in the game, this subtle narrative shift in the series further drains the story of its remaining hope.

Unflinching Portrayal: ‘The Last of Us’ Season 2’s Raw Depiction of Joel’s Death

The manner in which Joel’s death is depicted in this episode makes it even more excruciating for the audience. In the game, this pivotal moment transforms the world, particularly for Ellie, and becomes a central narrative point for future events. In the game, as soon as Joel is killed, Ellie is rendered unconscious, sparing her—and the player—from confronting the immediate aftermath of this loss. However, writer Craig Mazin and director Mark Mylod chose to present this moment with unflinching honesty, forcing us to grapple with the consequences.

In the game, Joel meets his end at the hands of Abby, who delivers a lethal blow with a golf club. In the series adaptation, Abby inflicts such severe damage that the club breaks, leaving a jagged piece that she ultimately uses to stab Joel in the neck, sealing his fate. Unlike in the game where Ellie is knocked out, here she remains conscious, meaning both she and the audience endure the harrowing reality of this moment. In the show, we witness the irreversible harm Abby inflicts on Joel, leaving him bloodied and helpless, and as she and her companions depart, we are left with Joel and Ellie in their heartbreaking final moments together, creating an emotionally charged and devastating farewell.

In retrospect, Mylod emerges as an ideal choice to direct this critical moment in The Last of Us. Notably, Mylod earned an Emmy for his direction of “Connor’s Wedding,” widely regarded as one of the finest episodes of Succession. In that episode, as the title suggests, viewers anticipate an awkward celebration among the Roy family. Instead, they are confronted with the shocking death of patriarch Logan Roy (Brian Cox), leaving his children emotionally shattered and uncertain about their future. Although Logan’s demise has been foreshadowed throughout the series, the emotional fallout is profound. In a similar vein, the first episode of The Last of Us Season 2, “Future Days,” features Abby declaring her intent to kill Joel slowly, yet the actual event feels like a devastating blow when it finally transpires. Mylod excels at crafting moments that feel inevitable yet still manage to catch us off guard.

However, the most agonizing aspect of this scene is undoubtedly the performances by Pascal and Ramsey. When Joel first sees Ellie after enduring a brutal beating, and she cries out for him to get up, he can only muster the slightest movement of his finger. This subtle choice by Pascal conveys Joel’s attempt to comfort Ellie in his last moments, despite his incapacitated state. Following Joel’s death, Ellie painfully crawls to him, removing the golf club from his neck, and climbs atop him, as if her embrace could somehow keep him from slipping away. Despite the emotional distance that has grown between them over the years, their final moments together encapsulate a daughter’s desperate refusal to say goodbye to the only father she has ever known.

Joel’s death is already a harrowing sequence in the game, yet Mylod and Mazin have managed to elevate and enhance one of the most challenging sequences in video game history. The HBO adaptation has consistently discovered innovative ways to enrich the original narratives found in the games, such as expanding the relationship between Bill and Frank and delving deeper into the characters of Henry and Sam in Season 1. However, the nuanced changes in “Through the Valley” amplify the emotional impact of The Last of Us‘s most shocking loss. With this pivotal event, Ellie’s character will be irrevocably altered, and as viewers, we find ourselves transformed as well.

New episodes of The Last of Us Season 2 premiere every Sunday on HBO and Max.