The Last of Us Season 2: [Spoiler]'s Death Was Way More Brutal Than in the Game

Adaptations can rarely be as good as their predecessors, and they're almost never better. The Last of Us Season 2, however, pulls it off.

The scene in question is arguably one of the most powerful and heartbreaking scenes in The Last of Us Part II. I'm talking about Joel's death, of course. It's the only scene in Episode 2 that I rewatched, not because I'm an emotional junkie (though maybe I am), but because the show's interpretation left me speechless in a way that even the game couldn't.

The Last of Us’ Joel’s Death Scene Gave Me Permanent Emotional Damage

Despite some reservations I have about how HBO rushed the Joel/Abby storyline, I can't deny that this scene was powerful.

I guess it's too obvious to talk about the performances, but how can I not when they were THAT great? I'm especially impressed with Kaitlyn Dever as Abby. She proved she had what it takes in Unbelievable (2019) and with this latest episode, she cemented herself as one of the most promising talents right now.

I also loved how they handled Abby picking up a golf club, the weapon she will use to kill Joel. After Joel interrupts Abby's speech by yelling: “Now shut the f– up and do it already,” she stands in front of a box of golf clubs and slowly pulls out one. In the game it didn't really get a lot of attention, but I liked that little detail in the show.

But what really got me was how they expanded Ellie's perspective. In the game, we mostly see her through a distant lens, but the show puts us close to her, watching helplessly.

How Did Fans React to Joel’s Death Scene in The Last of Us Episode 2?

“In some areas. Joel’s actual beating felt more personal in the show though. Also far more brutal. You can feel the tension of everyone not fully on board with what Abby’s doing still. I think Owen comes across a lot better frankly. You can feel his struggle with Abby’s vendetta,” Redditor IndecisiveTuna noted.

“I actually think the show handled Joel’s death better than the game did. After the first episode I was having serious doubts about Kaitlyn Dever as Abby but this episode took all of that away. There were a couple moments she sounded exactly like Abby and her monologue was awesome. I think the decision for us to see Ellie literally distraught instead of just knocked out with a little time skip was much better. This episode has me hooked for the rest of the season,” Redditor JackieDaytona316 wrote.

When & Where Can I Watch The Last of Us Season 2?

The Last of Us Season 2 continues to air every Sunday at 9pm ET on HBO and Max.