Not everyone was happy with what happened in the second episode of Season 2 of The Last of Us, titled "Through the Valley." The fan favorite character, Joel (played by Pedro Pascal) has a run-in with the Fireflies and doesn't survive. Find out what happens to Joel in this heart-wrenching episode. (Caution: There are spoilers ahead about what happens to Joel.)
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| Joel played by Pedro Pascal in The Last of Us |
Fans of Joel in The Last of Us were probably saddened by what happened in episode two of Season 2, titled "Through the Valley."
Those familiar with the video games know that Joel dies in the game, and could probably surmise that the same would happen to him in the show, but fans of the game know that Joel was a fighter, and would not go down without a fight. That is why some fans are not happy with his ending in the Season 2 episode 2.
Spoilers about what happens in the episode are ahead.
The Last of Us Season 2, Episode 2: Through the Valley
Why does Joel die in The Last of Us, Season 2, episode 2?
This episode had a group of outsiders known as "the fireflies" watching the Jackson Hole community, plotting a way to find Joel. The leader of this group is Abby, who has a reason why she wants to find Joel -- he murdered her father, and she wants revenge.
Joel and Dina are on horseback on patrol, while Ellie and Jesse are inside a former 7 Eleven gas station that contains dried-up marijuana plants.
Joel helps save Abby as she is being chased down by infected, and she brings Joel back to her camp, where he is tortured. Abby reveals to Joel that the fireflies have a code not to kill those who are not able to defend themselves, but she reveals to Joel that he killed her father in cold blood. Her rage takes over, and she shoots Joel in the leg. One of the fireflies applies a tourniquet to Joe's leg, and Abby continues to torture Joel.
Joel does not attempt to fight back as he has nowhere to go, surrounded by the fireflies.
Ellie watches the final moments when Abby stabs Joel with a golf club, and he dies. Ellie is devastated and promises to kill her.
Jesse, Dina and Ellie Return back to Jackson Hole
Afterwards, Jesse, Dina, and Ellie ride back on horseback to their community, with the body of Joel being dragged behind them.
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| Jesse, Dina & Ellie ride back with Joe's body |
While they were away, Joel's brother Tommy was in charge of protecting the town. He had to go one-on-one with a large bloater (seen below) and his flamethrower pack almost overheated.
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| Tommy is fighting a bloater in The Last of Us |
As this episode ends, it is clear that the character dynamic is changing with the departure of Joel. That is not to say that there won't be flashbacks of Joel, but it will certainly be different as Joel was a father-type of figure for Ellie as she is going through her own rebellious phase.
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| Ellie and Joel on a car ride in The Last of Us |
The Last of Us Season 2 airs new episodes on HBO or on the Max streaming app on Sunday nights.
