Pedro Pascal Speaks Out After ‘The Last of Us’ Twist and Says ‘I’m Still in Denial’; Bella Ramsey ‘Sobbed’ Reading It: A ‘Brilliant Achievement’ If It’s ‘Painful for People’

by

⚠️ WARNING: This tale reveals plot points from Season 2, Episode 2 of the HBO series “The Last of Us,” currently available on Max.

(Note: I’ve tried to make this version more conversational and easier to read.)

Actor Pedro Pascal is discussing the second episode of “The Last of Us” Season 2, where his character Joel meets a tragic end at the hands of Abby, portrayed by Kaitlyn Dever. The unexpected turn of events mirrors what occurs in “The Last Of Us Part II” video game, implying that Pascal was aware that Joel’s tenure on the HBO show would ultimately come to an end when he agreed to play the role.

“Pascal clarified to Entertainment Weekly that they never explicitly stated, ‘We’ll kill your character at the start of season 2.’ However, it was always understood that the storyline would remain faithful to the original source in certain aspects, and the primary obligation concerning this character’s arc was for season 1. The question was simply how and when it would unfold.”

Or more casually:

“Pascal explained to Entertainment Weekly that they didn’t say ‘We’re gonna kill your character at the beginning of season 2,’ but it was always clear that the storyline would stick to the source material in some ways, and the major responsibility for this character’s journey was during season 1. The details were just a matter of when and how it would play out.”

During the post-show discussion with HBO, Pascal expressed: “I hold immense respect for the passion fans show towards video games, TV shows, movies, or books. I’ve felt this intensity myself; I’ve even thrown books due to their powerful impact on me as I immerse myself in the story. It’s heartrending when a story can evoke such strong feelings, which is undoubtedly a testament to the storytelling’s excellence.

In the show, Abby, portrayed by Dever, captures Joel and discloses that she’s the offspring of the doctor he fatally wounded in the Season 1 finale to save Ellie. She subsequently wounds Joel’s leg with a gunshot and beats him with a golf club. Later, she switches to her fists and brutally assaults him before delivering the final, lethal strike with a spike she thrusts into Joel’s neck. Pascal shared with HBO that meeting Kaitlyn was fantastic, and it’s ironic how such a violent and tragic sequence between characters can instantly create a connection with the actress.

Regarding appearing on set adorned with blood-stained makeup, the actor commented: “Stepping into the room and observing the expressions on people’s faces was quite intriguing. The responses weren’t ones of disgust, but rather of sorrow.

Pascal admitted to EW that he’s in a state of active denial regarding Joel’s fate. As I grow older, I find myself unconsciously denying the finality of things, including this series. Despite knowing that my connection with the cast remains strong and I long to meet them again, it won’t be under the circumstances of playing Joel on ‘The Last of Us.’ No, I don’t dwell on it much because it brings sadness.

Throughout its course, “The Last of Us” primarily revolved around the dynamic between Joel, played by Pascal, and Ellie, portrayed by Ramsey. However, this duo-centric narrative will shift significantly following Joel’s demise. In an interview with HBO, Ramsey shared her feelings about Joel’s death: “I knew that Joel was going to die, but reading it in the script still filled me with dread… I couldn’t help but cry. I genuinely sobbed when I read that part. It was the first time I’ve cried from reading a written piece.

During an interview with EbMaster, Craig Mazin, one of the co-creators of the HBO series, shared why they felt it was appropriate to portray Joel’s devastating demise in Season 2 Episode 2.

Mazin clarified that causing distress to people isn’t our intention. He pointed out that once people are aware of an upcoming event, they may begin to feel anxious or troubled. For those unaware, they will eventually find out, as people tend to discuss the absence of such events. Our goal was to ensure that if we were to proceed with this action, it would seamlessly fit into the narrative and not appear as a deliberate attempt to upset anyone.

Read EbMaster’s full interview with “The Last of Us” creators here.

Read More

2025-04-21 06:46