Episode 2 of The Last of Us Season 2, titled “Through the Valley,” delivers a moment that irrevocably alters the series’ emotional and narrative landscape: the brutal death of Joel Miller (Pedro Pascal). Adapted from the highly debated storyline of The Last of Us Part II game, this episode executes Joel’s demise with both narrative purpose and emotional precision. His death is paired with a large-scale infected assault on Jackson, creating a dual shock that devastates both physical and emotional sanctuaries.
Key Details:
Joel’s Execution: Abby (Kaitlyn Dever), driven by revenge for her father’s death at Joel’s hands, lures him to a remote lodge under false pretenses. After neutralizing Dina (Isabela Merced), she tortures Joel, forcing him to admit his role in the Firefly hospital massacre. Ellie (Bella Ramsey) arrives too late, witnessing Joel’s final breaths as Abby delivers a fatal blow with a shattered golf club.
Moral Complexity: Abby’s act of vengeance is clouded with ethical ambiguity. Her cold declaration—”There are just some things everyone agrees are just fucking wrong”—is eerily met with Joel’s silent nod, hinting at his own recognition of guilt. The cycle of revenge, central to the game’s theme, takes center stage here.
Ellie’s Trauma: Bella Ramsey delivers a stunning performance, capturing Ellie’s emotional breakdown as she watches Joel die. Her whispered promise—”I’ll kill every last one of you”—signals her transformation and sets the season’s arc of grief-fueled vengeance in motion.
Thematic Significance:
Joel’s death is not just a shocking event—it’s the inevitable outcome of his Season 1 decision to save Ellie at the cost of humanity’s potential cure. As co-creator Neil Druckmann notes, The Last of Us is ultimately a story about how trauma corrodes our humanity. This episode embraces that ethos completely.
