The highly anticipated second season of The Last of Us has already made waves, just two episodes in, by delivering a pivotal moment sourced directly from the hit video games. As fans eagerly await the unfolding of the story, the series co-creators, Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, alongside actors Pedro Pascal (who portrays Joel), Bella Ramsey (who plays Ellie), and Kaitlyn Dever (taking on the role of Abby), recently engaged with the press to discuss this significant narrative turn and offer tantalizing hints about the future of the show.

The episode titled Through the Valley culminates in a shocking scene reminiscent of the games, where Abby inflicts a brutal act of violence on Joel, delivering fatal blows with a golf club while Ellie, played by Ramsey, is forced to watch in horror. This moment is profoundly impactful for fans of the game, as it serves as a shocking reminder of a major plot twist that was leaked in 2020, raising the question of when this tragic event would be adapted for the screen. In their conversation with Variety, Mazin revealed that the adaptation process involved considerable deliberation. He shared that all options were on the table, and they ultimately decided to introduce the moment early in the season. Druckmann noted that delaying the scene would feel like dragging our feet, emphasizing their intent to present it when audiences could fully experience its emotional weight.

Mazin elaborated on their creative decision: If people know its coming, theyll feel tormented, and people who dont know are going to find out. Their goal was to ensure that the scene felt organic within the narrative, rather than merely serving as a shocking twist intended to upset viewers.

Interestingly, the scene marks the first on-screen interaction between Pascal and Dever, as well as Dever's introduction as Abby. The production faced a challenging schedule adjustment, as Dever took time off to mourn her mothers battle with cancer. This personal tragedy influenced her approach to the character, allowing her to connect more deeply with Abbys emotional turmoil. Dever expressed, I had a different approach, and I think that it really served the character in a lot of ways.

While the sequence leading to Joels demise remained consistent with the source material, the buildup was altered to enhance its impact. Before Abby confronts Joel, she delivers a poignant monologue revealing that he was responsible for her fathers death during last seasons intense hospital scene. This additional context, which Mazin crafted specifically for the show, serves to illustrate the depth of Abby's anger and her moral justification for revenge: We kill for the people we love, and what Joel did is what shes doing now.

Another significant change from the game involves Joels brother, Tommy, who is present in the original story during Joel's death. In the series adaptation, however, Tommy remains in Jackson, focusing on safeguarding the community from Infected creatures. As a result, Joel shares his final moments with Ellies future girlfriend, Dina (played by Isabela Merced). Druckmann explained that this shift was strategically made to underline Dinas emotional investment in Joels fate, thereby amplifying her motivation to accompany Ellie on her quest for vengeance. To put her in that spot and make her a front-row participant in this murder connects us more to her, he explained. Her choice to stay by Ellies side through thick and thin from this point forward is motivated just as much by her loss as it is by her friendship with Ellie.

Ramsey emphasized the complexity of the relationship dynamics, noting how both Ellie and Dina are trauma bonded due to the shared loss of their surrogate father figure. Ellie feels a unique blend of jealousy and grief, knowing that Dina spent Joels last moments with hima sentiment that adds layers to their interactions. Theres a lot of guilt and regret on Ellies part, Ramsey remarked, reflecting on how this emotional turmoil influences her character's journey.

As expected, Joels tragic death has sparked a considerable wave of reactions across social media, leaving fans just as devastated as Ellie herself. Dever acknowledged the unpredictable nature of audience reactions to Abbys subsequent actions: I dont know how to plan for it, or how people will react. All I can really do is hope people appreciate what I did with the role. She expressed pride in her portrayal, crediting Mazin and Druckmanns guidance in shaping Abbys character.

Meanwhile, Pascal, who is no stranger to characters meeting untimely ends in genre storytelling, admitted to grappling with active denial regarding his character's fate. Despite his departure from the series, he expressed enthusiasm about Ramsey stepping into the leading role. Theres an obvious parental dynamic between the characters of Joel and Ellie, he remarked. Bella was never my child, but I did feel this sort of pride that I had nothing to do with but was able to observe how effortlessly they stepped into a position of leadership.

For those eager for more insights, Entertainment Weeklys in-depth coverage delves further into the episode, including discussions about Tommys efforts to defend Jackson and the meticulous direction behind Joels heartbreaking death. Readers can find the full coverage at Entertainment Weekly.