Some fans are angry after the tragic events of the second episode; Only time will tell if the series will survive the consequences
This text contains spoilers of the latest episode of The Last of Usnow available on Max.
Ellie and Joel. Joel and Ellie. It was this duo that made the first season of The Last of Us so special. The connection between these two marked souls – she in search of a father figure, in need of a substitute daughter, both reluctant to admit it even to themselves – added to the brilliant performances of Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascalraised the drama of HBO above the clichés of the post-apocalyptic narratives.
Not that the series was super optimistic – after all, the season ended with Joel massacring an entire hospital, killing those who tried to synthesize a cure for the plague who had devastated humanity, all because he refused to lose Ellie. But there was something in the connection between them, and in the chemistry of the two actors, which captivated even those who have no patience for zombies (or similar creatures). While Ellie and Joel They were together, it seemed that a part of that world still resisted.
And now?
Yesterday’s episode (20) ended brutally. Abby (interpreted by Kaitlyn Duty), whose father was the doctor killed by Joel At the end of the first season, he tracked him with the help of his militia companions and beaten him to death with a golf club. When Ellie arose in a desperate attempt to save him, Abby He dug the cape of the golf club-already broken against his body-around his neck, killing him.
It is a well -known unfolding – for good and evil – for those who played The Last of Us Part II. For years, fans speculated how, when and if the series would approach this moment. The creators Neil Druckmann (Game co -creator) and Craig Mazin They could have postponed the scene, exploring more the interval between seasons or focusing on life in Jackson and the surrounding threats. Mazinan experienced screenwriter who was not involved in the game and therefore less attached to the original material, could even have suggested a different course, considering the chemistry between Paschal and Ramsey and the public response.
But they followed the game faithfully. The death of Joel It happens practically at the same point as the story where it occurs in the Part II (although the attack of the infected to Jackson is an exclusive addition of the series). Bluntly, without postponement – just a cold and cruel death.
And at least among the audience that didn’t play the video game, the reaction was immediate: for some, that was the last episode of The Last of Us. It will take time until we know if this turn will impact the audience, both in HBO as in Max.
The Last of Us Part IIIt has sold less than the original so far, but has also been in the market for only five years, while the first was released in 2013. Many players rejected this decision – either because they believe that the heart of history was Joel and Ellieeither because they do not accept to see the heterosexual protagonist dead while antheroine queer survives. It is not difficult to imagine which of these groups was responsible for the death threats sent to the actress Laura Baileywho gave voice to Abby in the game. On Sunday night, Pedro Pascal tried to protect Kaitlyn Duty of a similar destination, posting a loving message to her in her Instagram:
See this photo on InstagramA publication shared by Pedro Pascal He/Him (@pascalispunk)
From what has been rolled on social networks since the episode, the reactions are divided between two groups:
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Playerswho admired the courage of the series to move on without artificially prolonging the presence of Pedro Pascal;
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Non-playersMany in doubt if they will continue to watch – or have decided to abandon the series.
For some, fascination has always been in the relationship between Joel and Ellieeven without much interest in the post-apocalyptic genre. Others argue that the real world is already too dark, and see Joel Dying so brutally (even with part of the violence occurring out of the scene) is more than they can stand in fiction today.
Experience of Rolling Stone USA with the season
All episodes were seen and, according to the review, spoilers were avoided when expressing dissatisfaction with the course of the series without Joel. There are bright moments ahead: Bella Ramsey It is impeccable, and the dynamics of Ellie with Dina (Isabela Merced), Tommy (Gabriel Luna) and Jesse (Young Mazino) are captivating – especially with Dina. But none of them replaces Joel. Even in flashbacks, the chemistry between Ramsey and Paschal Oversha any other interaction.
However, this season adapts only the first half of the second game. Therefore, you can only evaluate how the series holds in the short term without Joel “Not if the outcome will justify your absence.”
A rare risk on TV
Few series kill their protagonist (or co-projectist) so soon for creative choice. Some notable cases:
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NYPD BLUE it lost David Caruso after season 1 (which tried to luck in the cinema without success), but survived thanks to the talent ofJimmy Smits – And for the public to be more attached to the character of Dennis Franz.
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game of Thrones killed Ned Stark at the end of season 1 (even before Joel), following the books. The difference? Sean Bean It was the main name, but the plot was so wide that his death did not shake the core of the series as Joelwhich was half a story centered on two characters.
Curiosity: Today, Paschal It is the actor of Got
More famous – ironically, for playing a character who was also introduced and killed in the same season.
Can series survive the departure of protagonists? Generally, yes – unless they are in natural decline. The Office continued withoutSteve Carell ,File X withoutDavid Duchovny … the most emblematic case isOc whose hearing plummeted after the death of Marissa Cooper(Mischa Barton
) In Season 3 – a decision from which the producers later regret. Even so, the fall was noticeable before. What to expect fromThe Last of Us
? It is natural that the series loses part of the public now. But it is also fair that fans ask: the series we loved still exists without
Joel?
Article published on April 21, 2025 at Rolling Stone. To read the original in English, click here.
+++ Read more: The Last of Us: The Real Meaning of Music that played at the end of the new episode
+++ Read more: Understand why Abby didn’t kill that character in The Last of Us
Source: Rollingstone

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