Warning: This publish contains spoilers from The Final of Us Season 2.
HBO’s The Final of Us Season 2 wastes no time diving into one of the emotional and controversial moments from the sport—the dying of Joel (portrayed by Pedro Pascal). Because the collection continues to comply with the supply materials intently, followers had been left reeling after Episode 2 delivered a brutal turning level that reshapes all the pieces.
Whether or not you’ve performed the sport or are experiencing the story for the primary time, right here’s a breakdown of what occurred to Joel, why it issues, and what it means for the remainder of the season.
Does Joel Die in The Final of Us Season 2?
Sure. In Season 2 of HBO’s The Final of Us, Joel is killed in a storyline that mirrors the most important plot twist from The Final of Us Half II online game.
The Final of Us Season 2, Episode 2 Recap
Episode 2, titled “By the Valley,” delivers one of the stunning moments within the collection thus far: Joel’s brutal dying. After saving Abby from a horde of contaminated, Joel is lured to a lodge the place she and her group are hiding. There, Abby shoots him within the leg and in the end kills him as Ellie arrives too late to intervene. The episode ends with Ellie devastated, holding Joel’s physique and vowing revenge, setting the stage for what’s to return.
Why Does Joel Die in The Final of Us?
Joel’s dying is the results of a revenge arc. On the finish of Season 1 (and the primary recreation), Joel kills a health care provider to avoid wasting Ellie — a person later revealed to be the daddy of Abby (performed by Kaitlyn Dever), a brand new character in Season 2. Looking for justice, Abby tracks down Joel and kills him, setting off a brand new cycle of violence and grief that shapes the emotional core of the story.
Is Joel Actually Lifeless in The Final of Us?
Sure, Joel is confirmed lifeless within the current timeline of The Final of Us Season 2. Nevertheless, his character continues to look by means of flashbacks, recollections, and emotional callbacks. In Episode 5, titled “Really feel Her Love,” which aired on Might 11, 2025, viewers had been shocked by Joel’s return in a flashback scene.
@rottentomatoes 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 beforehand confirmed that Pascal will stay part of the collection in a non-linear, extra restricted function, mirroring the storytelling method of the unique online game.
