The Last of Us fans are collectively mourning after a major death on the latest episode.
Warning: Spoilers ahead for The Last of Us season 2, episode 2, which aired Sunday, April 20, on HBO.
In the latest episode of the popular zombie series, a major character named Joel Miller, portrayed by Pedro Pascal, met a surprising end during a violent clash with Abby, played by Kaitlyn Dever. Abby sought revenge because Joel had previously killed her father.
The episode concluded with Abby explaining her strong desire for vengeance against Joel. Her father, a doctor at the hospital in Salt Lake City, had been killed by Joel, who had rescued Ellie, portrayed by Bella Ramsey, from that same hospital in the first season finale.
While Ellie tried to save Joel, Abby stabbed him in the neck, killing him.
The episode concluded with Ellie vowing, “I’m gonna kill you. You’re all going to f****** die.”
As the second season progresses, viewers can expect to see Ellie seeking her own form of retribution. However, at present, audiences are grappling with the unexpected demise of one of the show’s main characters.
Viewers flooded the comments section of Pascal’s most recent Instagram post — which was unrelated to The Last of Us, encouraging fans to go see Ryan Coogler’s Sinners in theaters — on Sunday to express their dismay over the twist.
“Pedro, go back to set and change what I just saw. Joel is fine and he gets up. Thank yew!!” wrote one fan.
“Just finished the second episode, you will be hearing from my therapist,” another added.
Another fan paid tribute to Joel, writing, “I sobbed, that’s right. I don’t remember the last time a character made me had a rollercoaster of emotions like this. You are amazing. #thelastofus.”
Over on X, fans pointed out that Joel’s death is in keeping with the plot of the Last of Us video game series on which the show is based. Nonetheless, one person wrote, “#TheLastOfUs game players knew this WHOLE TIME that Joel was gonna die and you didn’t warn me?!?”
“WHO’S DECISION WAS IT FOR JOEL MILLER TO DIE ON EASTER SUNDAY???? HUH??????” wrote another fan.
Another summed up the loss, writing, “I feel empty. Sad. Joel’s death is even worse than in the game, you can feel the torture he went through. And Ellie’s pain, damn it. 🥲”
New episodes of The Last of Us premiere on HBO Sundays at 9 p.m. ET.
