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The Last of Us Season 2, Episode 2 didn’t hold back, it dove straight into one of the game’s most debated moments and delivered a jaw-dropping action scene made just for the HBO series. This season follows the second part of Ellie (played by Bella Ramsey) and Joel’s (Pedro Pascal) emotional journey through their gritty, post-apocalyptic world. And while fans were holding their breath, unsure if the show would kill off Joel as early as the game did, it happened. Episode 2 makes it clear: this season belongs to Ellie now.
The episode kicks off right where the first one ended. Tensions are still simmering in Jackson, especially after Ellie and Dina shared a kiss, a moment that caught a few people’s attention in the otherwise rough and rugged community. But any lingering drama quickly becomes the least of their worries when a huge storm begins to roll in.
Caught outside the town’s protective walls, Ellie, Joel, Dina, and Jesse end up in serious danger. Meanwhile, Abby and her mysterious group are lurking in the nearby mountains, waiting for their moment. What follows is chaos, a devastating attack by a massive swarm of infected leaves Jackson in ruins and, in a heart-wrenching twist, Joel doesn’t survive the ordeal.
By the end of the episode, the story has taken a major turn. The world Ellie knew is shattered, and her path forward is now shaped by grief, revenge, and survival. The episode doesn’t just change the tone of the season, it changes everything.
Why did Abby kill Joel in The Last of Us Season 2
In The Last of Us season 2, Kaitlyn Dever’s portrayal of Abby brings a fiery determination to the screen, especially when it comes to her quest for revenge. Abby’s whole world was shattered when Joel killed her father, along with the other Fireflies, in Salt Lake City. Fueled by the need for payback, she spent five long years plotting how she would make Joel suffer for his actions.
During this time, Abby and her group not only found new allies but also became involved with the mysterious WLF (Washington Liberation Front). With their new connections and resources, they finally get the chance to take down Ellie and Dina. While killing them would certainly hurt Joel, Abby’s sole focus is on making him feel the pain of losing his life the way she lost her father’s.
By the end of the episode, Abby decides to let Dina and Ellie live, though the pair is left to deal with the emotional wreckage from the tragic events that unfolded in the mountains near Jackson. It’s a clear sign that Abby’s vengeance isn’t over yet her eyes are still locked on Joel.
‘The Last Of Us’ season 2 episode 2 ending explained: Is Joel’s death scene different in The Last of Us season 2 when compared to the game?
One of the biggest questions surrounding The Last of Us season 2 was how closely the show would follow the game when it came to Joel’s death. Many fans speculated that the timeline might be stretched or rearranged, with some even believing that Joel’s death could be pushed into the third season. However, episode 2 quickly put those theories to rest by sticking closely to the game’s original storyline.
In this episode, Joel’s death happens much earlier than expected, and the scene is almost identical to how it plays out in the game. The main difference lies in who Joel is with at the time of his death. In the game, Joel is on patrol with his brother Tommy when they rescue Abby. But in the series, Joel is with Dina during this pivotal moment.
Despite this change, the key details remain true to the game, including the dialogue between the characters and the weapon Abby uses to inflict pain on Joel. The addition of the Jackson attack is a new twist for the show, but it doesn’t change the overall outcome or tone of the scene.
By staying true to how Joel dies in the game, it’s clear that The Last of Us season 2 will continue to stick closely to the original story, giving fans a faithful adaptation while still exploring some fresh twists along the way.
‘The Last Of Us’ season 2 episode 2 ending explained: What does Joel’s death mean for Ellie’s future?
Ellie’s life will be forever changed after witnessing the brutal death of Joel. Despite the anger she harbored toward him before Abby kills him, Ellie’s deep love for Joel becomes clear in her emotional reaction. She screams at him to get up, and when he doesn’t, she crawls over to his body, lying on top of him in a moment of helplessness and grief.
This loss cuts deep for Ellie, marking the end of her strong emotional connection to Jackson’s community. Although she has formed bonds with others, like Jesse, Dina, Tommy, and Maria, Joel was her closest tie to any sense of family or stability. His death will likely leave her feeling more isolated and unstable. While her new family will still be there for her, Ellie’s emotional turmoil might push her to distance herself from them when she needs their support the most. The emotional weight of losing Joel will undoubtedly shape her actions and decisions in the episodes to come.
‘The Last Of Us’ season 2 episode 2 ending explained: Where will Abby and her group head after killing Joel?
After the devastating Firefly massacre in Salt Lake City, Abby and her group were left uncertain about their next steps. Though Abby was eager to seek revenge on Joel immediately, her friend Owen persuaded her to wait and regroup before going after him. If the series continues to follow the game’s storyline, it’s likely that Abby and her friends eventually made their way to Seattle.
In Seattle, they joined the Washington Liberation Front (WLF), honing their skills and preparing to track down and kill Joel five years later. Following Joel’s death, the group returns to Seattle, where the WLF is engaged in a fierce war with the Seraphites, a religious cult that has taken control of parts of the city.
Will Ellie Go After Abby?
The central theme of The Last of Us Part II revolves around cycles of violence and revenge, and it’s clear that Ellie will eventually follow Abby to enact her own revenge. In the second trailer for season 2, there’s a quick shot of two people on horseback approaching Seattle, suggesting that Ellie will indeed head west to find Abby.
However, it’s still unclear who will get there first. In the game, Tommy, overwhelmed by his desire for vengeance, leaves Jackson on his own to track down Abby and her group. How and when Tommy will travel to Seattle in the series, or if he even does, remains a mystery. The tension surrounding Ellie’s decision, whether she will choose revenge or seek forgiveness, will likely be a pivotal part of the story as the season unfolds.
‘The Last Of Us’ season 2 episode 2 ending explained: Why did ‘The Infected’ attack Jackson?
The attack on Jackson in The Last of Us season 2 is the biggest departure from the game thus far. While the game’s narrative hints at Jackson’s vulnerability, the show expands on the idea and takes things in a new direction. In episode 1, there’s a subtle clue about something dangerous brewing under the surface. Over the five-year gap between seasons 1 and 2, Jackson has been growing and expanding, including digging up infrastructure beneath the city. That’s when a previously unnoticed pipeline is exposed, revealing that a cordyceps network has been growing underneath Jackson.
These networks allow the infected to communicate with each other. So, when the construction efforts disturb the network, it triggers a call to the infected, leading them to swarm the city and launch a devastating attack. Neil Druckmann, the creator of the series, spoke about how these cordyceps networks work, explaining that the intention was to show how everything is interconnected, with the infected able to respond as a collective mass.
One of the most heart-stopping moments during the Jackson attack is Tommy’s battle with the infamous Bloater, a grotesque mutation of the infected. This terrifying creature plays a key role in breaking into Jackson, and its immense strength makes it the most dangerous threat among the horde.
Tommy, trying to protect his wife, Maria, distracts the Bloater, drawing it away from her. However, he ends up getting trapped in a corner, facing the monster head-on. With no time to waste, Tommy grabs a flamethrower and unleashes it on the Bloater. Just when it looks like the creature might overpower him, the flames eventually exhaust it, and the Bloater collapses before it can reach Tommy. This intense moment highlights Tommy’s bravery and resourcefulness in the face of overwhelming danger.
What’s next for Jackson after the Infected Attack?
The attack on Jackson has left the community devastated. Not only did they lose Joel, but they’ve also lost many civilians and critical infrastructure, which will make rebuilding a slow and challenging process. Tommy and Maria, as community leaders, will now have to balance their personal grief and desire for revenge with the need to focus on Jackson’s recovery.
Despite the significant destruction, Jackson isn’t entirely broken. The community has set up a solid defense system, and while the attack was horrific, it could have been much worse. With the right leadership and time, Jackson will start the long process of healing and rebuilding. The loss of Joel and so many others will weigh heavily on the community, but it’s clear that their resilience will help them emerge stronger in the end.