Even though I didn’t own a PlayStation, I was always deeply invested in Joel and Ellie’s emotional journey from afar. So it was only natural that as soon as I got a PS5, I jumped into TLOU Part 1, and it became one of my favorite games. And while I did have The Last of Us Part 2 with me, it sat in my backlog and collected dust. Call it luck, but I recently reviewed the TLOU 2 PC remastered edition just in time before season 2 of the namesake drops. However, I wasn’t prepared for what came next.
Heavy Spoiler Warning:
This article contains massive spoilers about a main character’s death in The Last of Us Part 2 and The Walking Dead. Therefore, proceed with caution and we highly recommend you to experience both series first to avoid ruining your intended experience.
Experiencing Joel Miller’s death in the first act of the game was certainly not something I expected. As someone overly fond of the guy, I find myself in distress. Why? Because I’m dreading Joel’s final moments in the upcoming season 2 of The Last of Us TV show.
Losing Joel Felt Personal, but That Was the Point
No matter who you are, anyone stepping into the world of The Last of Us is instantly drawn to Joel Miller. This rugged main character manages to steal the spotlight and win hearts in no time. As such, gamers like me who headed into the second part to play more as Joel were immediately devastated by his gruesome death in the game’s opening act itself. This controversial yet gutsy decision from the creators tore the TLOU fandom apart.
Joel’s unexpected demise in The Last of Us Part 2 wrecked me in one more ways than one. However, as I continued to play, I soon started to realize why his death was inevitable. This was a painful yet crucial move to expand the emotional drama thoughtfully and explore the themes of revenge and the cycle of violence from Ellie and Abby’s point of view.
Joel’s Death Still Haunts Me and Season 2 Is About to Twist the Knife
As a hardcore fan of the zombie genre, I have watched and played way too many movies, TV Shows, and video games involving the undead. Unfortunately, that also makes me realize that no character is truly safe in a daring survival horror drama. And even though I did expect a degree of heartbreak while playing The Last of Us Part 2, Joel’s death felt like a sucker punch.
As a ‘central character’ in the series, such a ruthless send-off for Joel hit me way harder than I was ready for and shattered me. Unfortunately, I also have to be logical about this. And if I put my emotions aside for a moment, I will say that killing Joel was the right thing to do and furthered the story.
As someone who finished the game just a week ahead of The Last of Us Season 2 premiere, I’m now haunted by the thought of experiencing Joel’s blood-soaked execution all over again in the live-action format. The debut season of the TLOU TV Show captivated me with the impressive performances of Pedro Pascal (Joel) and Bella Ramsey (Ellie).
Sadly, this isn’t the first time I’ve experienced heartbreak like this. Joel’s tragic end instantly took me back to Glenn Rhee’s horrifying death, which was at the time the most agonizing demise in The Walking Dead history. Just like Joel, he was one of my favorite characters in a zombie drama. Moreover, both the characters were taken out in the most brutal ways, i.e., bludgeoned to death by a golf club and a baseball bat.
Glenn’s death stirred up controversies to the point that some fans stopped watching the show. Joel’s demise also split the gamers’ fandom into two when the game was released. As such, I can already tell that the heart-wrenching ending to Joel’s journey is bound to result in a traumatic experience. However, this time it will be dual-pronged. So while gamers like me will have their wounds reopened, audiences worldwide who see The Last of Us Season 2 are in for a shock (Red Wedding, anyone?).
Joel’s fateful death is expected to occur in the first few episodes of season 2, which kicks off the revenge drama. So, if you’re anything like me, I suggest you grab a big box of tissues and a tub of popcorn to cry and munch away simultaneously.
That said, are you ready for the emotional rollercoaster coming our way? Let us know in the comments below.
