The showrunners of The Last of Us TV series are expanding the story by making massive changes to a few storylines and characters from the game. Eugene Linden, a minor character in the TLOU video game, quickly became a point of discussion after the premiere of Season 2. The wait is over now, as the creators have finally revealed Eugene’s much-awaited flashback in Season 2 Episode 6. So, if you have questions about who Eugene was and why Joel killed him, we have all the answers for you right 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 as part of the The Last of Us Season 2 cast.
Pantoliano didn’t make his debut in the first episode, instead, he finally made his debut in episode 7, and the wait was worth it.
Eugene’s Backstory in The Last of Us Season 2
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 to Gail (played by Catherine O’Hara) in TLOU Season 2, and had an unnamed daughter. In a letter found by Ellie in the game, it was revealed that Eugene reportedly walked out on his family to team up with the Fireflies despite his wife and daughter pleading not to.
But in The Last of Us Season 2, Eugene’s origin story has been completely changed as we meet Gail, Joel’s therapist, in the first episode. In the TV series, Eugene is mentioned to have served in the US military during the Vietnam war and later joined the Fireflies after the Cordyceps outbreak.
During both military services, the endless killing took a major toll on his mental health, making him step away from his duties. So, he moved back to Jackson with his wife, Gail, and led a much happier life.
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 series. Naturally, she hates him for it, but also mentions that “Joel had no choice.”
Earlier, based on Gail’s words, it was hinted that Eugene could’ve been bitten by an infected during his patrol. Indeed, the predictions became a reality as Eugene suffered a bite on his torso when an infected horde took him and his partner by surprise during a patrol run. As Joel, who was out with Ellie on her first patrol, was nearby, he received the signal to help the patrolmen, but it was already too late.
Eugene revealed to Ellie and Joel that he had been bitten by an infected. In his dying moments, the old man wished to see his wife for one last time. Joel balked at this idea, but Ellie convinced him to honor Eugene’s dying wish by pointing out that the old man still had some more time left until he turned into an infected.
Please. I figure I got about an hour. So, this is what we do. We go back to the gate. They let Gail out, keeping her at a safe distance, ofcourse. I’d say goodbye – Eugene
Although Joel promised Ellie that he would honor his wish, he took Eugene to the lakeside and put an end to his misery by shooting him in the head while Ellie was away to get the horses.
When the duo returned to Jackson with Eugene’s body, Joel lied to Gail that Eugene was brave and asked them to pass on the message that he loved his wife. He added that Eugene shot himself after getting bitten. But Ellie reveals the truth about Eugene’s death to Gail.
The showrunner, Neil Druckmann, made a brilliant decision to bring back Eugene’s character and wonderfully portrayed what kind of man Joel is to Ellie. Ellie always wondered what happened at the Salt Lake Hospital, and this incident indirectly gave her the answers she was hoping for. Plus, Eugene’s death also adds more depth to the rift between Joel and Ellie.
Despite having only a brief screen time, Pantoliano nailed the role of Eugene and made us feel for his character. Having said that, did you like the changes made to Eugene in The Last of Us Season 2? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
