Pedro Pascal Stays: Joel’s Death Isn’t The End for The Last of Us!

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If you’re worried that Joel might not appear in future episodes of The Last of Us Season 2 after Episode 2, let me put your mind at ease: Pedro Pascal, who plays Joel, may have a reduced presence, but he is not departing the show altogether. (Spoilers ahead…)

It’s understandable if you’re left shaken by the latest episode of The Last of Us. In the chaos as Jackson was overrun by infected, Joel made the ultimate sacrifice – leading himself to be killed in order to save Abby at her lodge.

At episode’s close, Ellie was compelled to bear witness and mourn as Abby fatally pierced Joel with the sharp end of a shattered golf club, plunging it into his neck. There’s no room for doubt: Joel has met his end, and this heart-wrenching scene echoes powerfully from its original influential storyline.

But for those familiar with the game, they’ll recognize that this is merely the start of the narrative – and Joel will make a reappearance.

Is Pedro Pascal leaving The Last of Us?

In contrast to some rumors, Pedro Pascal will not be departing from The Last of Us. Instead, he’ll reprise his role as Joel in flashback scenes across Season 2. It’s also anticipated that future flashbacks will be featured in Season 3.

It’s possible the show could reenact the style of Part II’s reveal trailer, where Ellie made a promise to Joel’s spirit that she would eliminate every last one of them. This scene also included Ashley Johnson’s cover of ‘Through the Valley’, which was heard at the end of Episode 2.

“When I joined the project, I was already in on Joel’s destiny as they didn’t exactly spell it out for me, ‘We’re going to off you at the start of Season 2.’ That’s what I gathered from our conversations with Entertainment Weekly.”

However, there was consistently a commitment to adhere to the original content in a particular manner, with the main responsibility falling on Season 1, specifically regarding its practical execution. The question was always about the method and timing.

In The Last of Us Season 1, there was a significant emphasis on Pedro Pascal’s character during production, with him sharing the limelight with Bella Ramsey. However, starting from Episode 2, Ramsey takes over as the main focus, allowing Pascal to explore other opportunities such as Fantastic Four, The Mandalorian with Grogu, and potentially other projects.

So, while he may not show up in every episode after Joel’s death, he’s still part of the series.

When will Joel return in The Last of Us?

It’s uncertain precisely when Joel will reappear in The Last of Us Season 2, but given Neil Druckmann’s statements, Episode 6 might be a plausible guess.

Neil Druckmann shared with Variety that this particular episode is particularly significant as it delves deeply into the core themes of the series, featuring beloved characters. Both devoted viewers of the show and enthusiasts of the games will likely find themselves emotionally touched by it.

There have been whispers that the upcoming episode might focus on Joel and Ellie, potentially featuring a heartrending flashback reminiscent of Joel’s special birthday gesture for Ellie in Part II.

In addition to co-writer Halley Gross, I’d like to share her thoughts: “I believe there’s something exceptionally unique about [Episode 6]. To me, six is a truly captivating tale, and I feel incredibly honored to have contributed to its creation.

No matter whether he’s visible or not, Joel’s influence ought to remain noticeable throughout the entire series.

“If we’ve done our jobs right, you’ll feel Joel there a lot,” Craig Mazin said.

Ensure you’re aware of when The Last of Us Season 2’s next episode airs, delve into Abby’s ending in the video games, and discover the reasons behind Eugene’s significance in Season 2.

Keep track of when The Last of Us Season 2’s upcoming episode will be released, explore Abby’s game storyline, and understand why Eugene plays a crucial role in Season 2.

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2025-04-21 14:19