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Pedro Pascal, who plays Joel in HBO's "The Last of Us," discusses his character's shocking death in Season 2, Episode 2. While aware of the eventual fate of Joel from the game's source material, Pascal reflects on the emotional impact of the scene and his bond with co-star Kaitlyn Dever (Abby). The death, a brutal beating mirroring the game, has left Pascal in a state of denial, while Bella Ramsey (Ellie) also expressed emotional distress upon reading the script. Show creators explained their decision to adapt the pivotal moment, aiming for natural storytelling rather than deliberate audience torment.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.