Season 2 of ‘The Last of Us’: How Does That Major Death Stack Up Against the Game?

It’s official: Joel Miller (Pedro Pascal) is dead in The Last of Us, and the show will never be the same.

The Last of Us Season 2, episode 2 tackles The Last of Us Part II’s most pivotal (and notorious) sequence, in which Abby Anderson (Kaitlyn Dever) kills Joel while a helpless Ellie (Bella Ramsey) watches on. Just like in the game, the scene is as heart-wrenching as it is brutal. However, as with any adaptation, there are several key differences from the source material. So how does Joel’s death in the show compare to his death in the game? Let’s break it down.

Dina isn’t with Joel in the game. Tommy is.
One of the biggest differences between Joel’s death in the game and the show is who accompanies him at the time of his death. In the game, he’s with his brother Tommy (Gabriel Luna), while in the show, he’s with Dina (Isabela Merced). Tommy remains in Jackson, where he helps defend the town from a horde of Infected (a sequence unique to the show). While both Tommy and Dina are unconscious during Joel’s death, the change in who is present with Joel at Abby’s hideout could have significant repercussions for the show’s narrative moving forward. In the game, Tommy pursues Abby for revenge shortly after Joel’s murder, but could the Infected attack on Jackson—along with his young son introduced in the show—shift his priorities? Meanwhile, Dina’s presence at Joel’s death could further deepen her bond with Ellie, as both characters are left profoundly affected by the traumatic experience.

Joel actually learns who Abby is in the show.
Part of the intrigue of The Last of Us Part II revolves around uncovering who Abby is and her motivations for wanting to kill Joel, a revelation that unfolds gradually as you progress through the game. When he inquires about her identity before she attacks him, her only response is a vague, "guess."

However, The Last of Us Season 2 quickly provides viewers with a deeper understanding of Abby. She interrogates Joel about his attack on the Fireflies in Salt Lake City, reflects on the consequences of his actions, and hints at the militia she has joined in Seattle. The show lays the groundwork for understanding Abby’s backstory from the very first episode, especially during her introduction by the Fireflies’ graves. This early revelation serves to foster sympathy for her character much sooner than in the game, allowing the audience to grasp her motivations from the beginning.

The game’s approach intentionally omits these details for narrative tension, meaning this adaptation isn’t necessarily "better" than the original. Instead, each version takes a different path when it comes to portraying Abby. The game presents her as a looming threat until the player can empathize with her through gameplay. The show, on the other hand, aims to cultivate that empathy earlier while framing Joel’s death as a direct consequence of his previous actions.

A bonus to learning Abby’s backstory so early is witnessing Joel grapple with the impact of the events from Season 1 catching up to him. It creates a poignant conclusion to his story that feels both heart-wrenching and inevitable.

That final golf swing looks a little different.
Few moments in The Last of Us Part II are as unforgettable—or as traumatic—as the chilling final impact of Abby delivering the killing blow to Joel. The show takes a different approach to Joel’s last moments. Although Abby still attacks him with a golf club, by the time Ellie arrives, the club is broken. This simple yet powerful image speaks volumes about the extent of the damage inflicted.

With the golf club shattered, Abby chooses to finish Joel off by stabbing him through the neck with the broken shaft. This brutal killing blow resonates with the same strong emotions as that memorable impact: total and complete devastation.

New episodes of The Last of Us Season 2 premiere on HBO and Max Sundays at 9 p.m. ET.