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If you’ve come to watch the second episode of HBO’s The Last of Us Season 2, titled ‘Through the Valley’, without playing the game, did your jaw just drop at that moment? There’s a reason why The Last of Us Part II game received such polarising reactions from fans compared to the first, despite widespread critical acclaim – and a lot of it comes down to that one moment. It sparked such intense backlash that players were stunned to find themselves playing half the game as the character responsible. ‘The Last of Us’ Season 2 Episode 1 Review: Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey Return to a World of More Dangerous Infected and Damaged Bonds.

SPOILERS AHEAD if you haven’t watched the episode or played the game. The moment in question is the shocking murder of Joel (played in the series by Pedro Pascal) at the hands of Abby (portrayed by Kaitlyn Dever), while his foster daughter Ellie (Bella Ramsey), incapacitated, can do nothing but helplessly watch him die. Abby is seeking revenge for Joel’s killing of her father in the first season. In the aftermath, Ellie embarks on a brutal revenge spree—though ultimately, no one comes out on top.

For fans familiar with the game, this moment was expected to arrive early in Season 2 – Pedro Pascal is now free to leave the zombie wastelands and leap into intergalactic adventures in his upcoming films like The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Avengers: Doomsday, and The Mandalorian and Grogu.

How Internet Reacted to Joel’s Demise in ‘The Last of Us’ Season 2

‘Everyone Experiencing THAT Moment’

‘Hasta Pronto, Joel’

‘Me Trying To Save Joel’

‘The Last of Us Fandom After Episode 2’

‘He Protected Every Goddamn Teenage Girl Until It Killed Him’

‘You Didn’t Warn Me?’

Kaitlyn Dever’s performance as Abby has, however, sparked mixed reactions. It was inevitable her character would be hated for what she did to Joel – regardless of her motivations – but some viewers felt Dever’s portrayal didn’t quite align with how Abby was depicted in the game, particularly during the monologue leading up to the killing. Others, however, praised her performance, even if they continued to despise the character. And there are others who are worried for the actress receiving death threats from crazy fans who simply cannot differentiate between the character and the actor. ‘The Last of Us’ Sets Return With Season 3 on HBO Ahead of Season 2 Premiere on April 13.

‘Absolute Chills’

‘What a Performance, Honestly’

‘With Not Enough Nuance… or Pain’

‘Do NOT Send Hate or Threats to Kaitlyn Dever’

‘Remember That Kaitlyn Dever Is an ACTOR’

‘Kaitlyn Dever Get Behind Me’

Adding a poignant layer to the moment, Dever recently revealed that her mother’s funeral took place three days before filming that emotional scene – a grief that arguably finds its way into her performance. The Last of Us is currently streaming on Max in the US and on JioHotstar in India.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 21, 2025 08:00 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).



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