Joel’s Shocking Demise Left Star in Denial

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On Sunday night, a startling episode of “ ” unfolded with Joel Miller (Pedro Pascal) being fatally struck by Abby, his former Firefly companion (Kaitlyn Dever). The show mirrored the game’s plot, and although fans had foreseen this tragic ending, many viewers found themselves moved by Joel’s passing in the story.

I, as a movie critic, shared my thoughts with Pascal about the emotionally charged second episode of season two titled “Through The Valley.” The charismatic star of The Mandalorian expressed his deep sadness, describing the scene as utterly devastating not only for him but also for the entire cast and crew.

In describing the extent of his sadness thoroughly, Pascal mentioned that prior to revealing it, he had been in denial about the situation – a state of mind he believes has become more prevalent as he grows older: “As I grow older, I find myself increasingly slipping into denial that anything has ended.” However, it’s essential to clarify that although Pascal does have future scenes planned, these are flashbacks and not current events in the storyline.

In the first season, Showrunner Craig Mazin gave Pascal a heads-up about the events that might unfold in (what was then) Season 2. He emphasized that it was merely a question of how and when these developments would occur, as they were reminiscent of elements from the game. However, some characters would be shuffled around, while others would receive more screen time than initially anticipated.

Regarding his day of filming the episode, Pascal mentioned he had an unusual sense of tranquility, which he linked to his habitual denial. “I’ve always avoided acknowledging the significant impact this moment had on the show…Perhaps that was the most peculiar part to navigate because I felt so connected to everyone involved in the series after enduring Season 1 together…Saying goodbye in such a positive manner was deeply saddening for me…

The Death Mirrors the Events of the Game

In the second game’s opening, my heart ached seeing Abby take Joel’s life – a poignant event that left many fans and Ellie (Ashley Johnson) emotionally drained. That tragic moment served as the kindling for the story’s flames. Joel’s death was a harsh act, one that some might argue was justified given his past actions. After all, he had taken Abby’s father from her, so in return, she took Joel from us.

The Last of Us Season 2 is debuting new episodes weekly on HBO and Max.

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2025-04-21 17:20