The Last of Us Season 2: Why It Will Be So Divisive

The Complicated Relationship of Joel and Ellie

The Last of Us Season 1's ending saw Joel (Pedro Pascal) rescue Ellie (Bella Ramsey) from the Fireflies who wanted to sacrifice her for a cure. His rescue relied on a lie that would end up straining their relationship in the years they spent living within the Jackson community. That complicated aspect of Joel and Ellie's relationship will play out in season 2, which is based on The Last of Us Part II game, but so will a turn of events that will severely alter both of their lives.

Abby from The Last of Us game and Ellie and Joel in the TV series

Despite first airing in 2023, The Last of Us season 2 won't release until 2025. The massive production is partly to blame, but the lengthy time needed actually aligns with the game's timeline, considering The Last of Us Part II takes place four years after the first game. All eyes will be on Joel and Ellie to witness how far they've come since the former reluctantly agreed to escort the miraculously immune teen across the dangerous post-apocalyptic US. It was proven that nothing would ever be easy for any survivor, but the duo wasn't done dealing with the consequences of their past, and that punishment will likely divide viewers in season 2.

Pedro Pascal as Joel in The Last of Us season 1 and Ellie in Part II

The Shocking Sequence: Joel's Death and Abby's Story

The Last of Us creator Craig Mazin confirmed season 2 will result in divided reactions from viewers. The cause, of course, will be the second game's most shocking sequence: Joel's death at the hands of Abby, the daughter of one of the Firefly surgeons that Joel killed to save Ellie. Not only does Abby kill Joel, but she does so in an incredibly brutal fashion, using a golf club to beat him to death. Joel might not be completely innocent, but he's presented as a protagonist alongside Ellie, so it will be incredibly difficult to witness his violent death, especially if it happens early in season 2 like it does in the games.

What's more, rather than focus on Ellie during the aftermath, the game switches to Abby serving as the playable character. This means Abby could be at the forefront of a good portion of The Last of Us season 2, which might not sit well with viewers who will already be heartbroken over Joel's death. With Joel and Ellie being the core of season 1, it didn't take long to become invested in their story. They both had to make tough choices to stay alive, but it was very easy to root for them along the way. The same won't be said for Abby, who kills a fan favorite before her real story gets told.

Impact on the Show and Future Prospects

While Joel's death will be a shock to many, those familiar with The Last of Us Part II might perceive it a bit differently since it's expected. Whether or not the divisive reaction affects The Last of Us season 2 and beyond will depend on how Abby is presented as a character. Casting the right Abby for The Last of Us will be one thing, but there's also the approach to her character so that audiences sympathize with her side of the story. If she can win over viewers initially hurt by Joel's murder, it won't have a long-term negative effect on the show.

Seeing as how The Last of Us was a massive hit for HBO in 2023, it's unlikely Joel's death will cause a complete demise of the show as a whole. Ellie will still be a pivotal piece to the story, and Joel will still be present in some capacity. In addition to the events prior to his death, Pascal will likely still be involved in various flashbacks to fill in gaps that depict key moments of his life with Ellie. Flashbacks certainly won't make up for his fate, but it means Joel won't be completely absent in The Last of Us season 2.