The wait is finally over as the second season of The Last of Us premiered on HBO after more than two years. As expected, the showrunners are expanding the story by making massive changes to a few storylines. Eugene Linden, a minor character in the TLOU video game, has become a point of discussion after the first episode of Season 2. So, if you have questions about who Eugene was and why Joel killed him, we have the answers for you here.
Spoilers Warning:
This article contains major spoilers about Eugene’s character in The Last of Us Part 2 game and season 2 of the TV show. Proceed with caution.
Who Is Eugene in The Last of Us Season 2?
Eugene Linden was a member of the surviving community led by Maria and lived with his wife, Gail, the therapist, in Jackson Town, Wyoming. He previously worked with Joel’s brother, Tommy Miller, in the Fireflies militia group.
Before his death at the hands of Joel, as revealed in the first episode of The Last of Us Season 2, Eugene served as one of the patrolmen of the Jackson Community and took Dina under his wing. It should be noted that Eugene appeared only in a photograph and was briefly mentioned in the events of The Last of Us Part 2 video game.
However, Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin have decided to flesh out Eugene’s character in the live-action show, mirroring their approach to Bill and Frank’s story in season 1. Thus, they hired veteran actor Joe Pantoliano to portray the role of Eugene Linden as part of The Last of Us Season 2 cast.
Pantoliano didn’t make his debut in the first episode, but we can look forward to it possibly in the next episode.
Eugene Linden’s Backstory in The Last of Us
Based on his current age, Eugene is mentioned to have been born between 1964 and 1965, and not much of his early life is discussed in the game. However, we know that he married Claire (in-game), who was renamed Gail (played by Catherine O’Hara) in season 2, and had an unnamed daughter. It was mentioned that Eugene reportedly walked out on his family to team up with the Fireflies despite his wife and daughter pleading not to in a letter found by Ellie in the game.
But, in The Last of Us Season 2, his origin story has been completely changed as we meet Gail, Joel’s therapist, in the first episode. As mentioned earlier, the showrunners are trying to expand Eugene’s storyline, so we will learn more about him in the upcoming episodes of season 2.
Why Did Joel Kill Eugene in The Last of Us?
When Ellie and Dina were exploring Eugene’s weed farm beneath his shelter at a library in TLOU Part 2, they discussed the tale of this lonely old man. It’s worth noting that the 73-year-old Eugene peacefully passed away after suffering a stroke in the video game. It was surprising to see a rare case of someone meeting a natural end in a world infested by terrifying infected creatures.
In contrast, the showrunners have drastically altered Eugene’s end in The Last of US season 2. As seen in Joel’s therapy session with Gail, the latter vents about her late husband Eugene’s death to Joel, blaming him and telling him how she hates him.
You shot and killed my husband. You killed Eugene.
And I resent you for it.
No, maybe a little more than that.
I hate you for it. I hate you for it.
And, yes, I know you had no choice. I know that.
I know I should forgive you.
Well, I’ve tried, and I can’t… because of how you did it.
And looking at your face sitting in our home… makes me so f*cking angry
In their talk about setting things right, Gail reveals that Joel killed Eugene in The Last of Us TV show. Naturally, she hates him for it but also mentions that “Joel had no choice.”
In the TLOU season 2 trailer (at the 1:25 mark), we see Joel about to shoot an old man (played by Joe Pantoliano). Now, this conversation points to the fact that it was indeed Eugene in the trailer.
As of now, we don’t know the reason why Joel shot and killed Eugene. But based on Gail’s words, it is hinted that Eugene could have been bitten by an infected during his patrol with Joel. That is why his partner could have shot him and put him out of his misery. However, there is also a small chance (highly likely, in my opinion) that the creators could have made this drama more complex by making Eugene learn the truth about Ellie’s immunity.
Since only Joel and Tommy know the truth about Ellie’s immunity at the moment and aim to keep it a secret, Joel could have been compelled to kill Eugene, a tragic end to his character, to protect this secret.
Let’s wait and see what Druckmann and Mazin have in store for Eugene in the upcoming episodes. In the meantime, why do you think Joel killed the old man? Share your best guess in the comments below.
