HBO's "The Last of Us" season 2, episode 2 depicts the brutal death of Joel (Pedro Pascal) at the hands of Abby (Kaitlyn Dever). Five years after vowing revenge for Joel killing fireflies, Abby finds and tortures him while he and Dina (Isabela Merced) seek shelter from a snowstorm. Ellie (Bella Ramsey) witnesses the event helplessly. The episode deviates from the game, showing a horde of infected overrunning Jackson, leaving the survivors reeling and Ellie vowing revenge on Abby. Creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann discuss the emotional impact and the decision to heighten the violence, emphasizing the fragility of safety and the importance of the characters' subsequent journeys.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.