Is Joel Really Dead in ‘The Last of Us’? Find Out

Warning: This submit contains spoilers from The Last of Us Season 2. 

HBO’s The Last of Us Season 2 wastes no time diving into one of the emotional and arguable moments from the sport—the dying of Joel (portrayed by way of Pedro Pascal). As the collection continues to apply the supply subject matter carefully, lovers had been left reeling after Episode 2 delivered a brutal turning level that reshapes the whole lot.

Whether you’ve performed the sport or are experiencing the tale for the primary time, right here’s a breakdown of what came about to Joel, why it issues, and what it approach for the remainder of the season.

Does Joel Die in The Last of Us Season 2?

Yes. In Season 2 of HBO’s The Last of Us, Joel is killed in a storyline that mirrors the foremost plot twist from The Last of Us Part II online game.

The Last of Us Season 2, Episode 2 Recap

Episode 2, titled “Through the Valley,” delivers one of the surprising moments within the collection to this point: Joel’s brutal dying. After saving Abby from a horde of inflamed, Joel is lured to a resort the place she and her crew are hiding. There, Abby shoots him within the leg and in the long run kills him as Ellie arrives too overdue to interfere. The episode ends with Ellie devastated, preserving Joel’s frame and vowing revenge, atmosphere the level for what’s to return.

Why Does Joel Die in The Last of Us?

Joel’s dying is the results of a revenge arc. At the tip of Season 1 (and the primary sport), Joel kills a physician to avoid wasting Ellie — a person later printed to be the daddy of Abby (performed by way of Kaitlyn Dever), a brand new persona in Season 2. Seeking justice, Abby tracks down Joel and kills him, atmosphere off a brand new cycle of violence and grief that shapes the emotional core of the tale.

Is Joel Really Dead in The Last of Us?

Yes, Joel is showed useless within the provide timeline of The Last of Us Season 2. However, his persona continues to seem via flashbacks, reminiscences, and emotional callbacks. In Episode 5, titled “Feel Her Love,” which aired on May 11, 2025, audience had been stunned by way of Joel’s go back in a flashback scene.

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The trailer for subsequent week’s episode of #TheLastOfUs teases a flashback episode with Joel and Ellie. #television #tvtok #trailer #hbo #pedropascal #videogames #tlou

♬ unique sound – Rotten Tomatoes

Showrunners have additionally in the past showed that Pascal will stay part of the collection in a non-linear, extra restricted position, mirroring the storytelling manner of the unique online game.