Spoilers for The Last of Us season two: Joel Miller, played by Pedro Pascal, is killed by Abby in “Through the Valley,” the season’s second episode. Abby’s revenge is rooted in Joel’s decision to save Ellie at the end of season one, a choice that cost the life of Abby’s father.
Does Joel die in The Last of Us?
Yes. Joel dies in season two, episode two, “Through the Valley.” The episode aired April 20, 2025. It is the second installment of the seven-episode season, not the season premiere.
Who kills Joel, and why?
Abby, played by Kaitlyn Dever, kills Joel. Her motive is revenge: Joel killed her father, a Firefly doctor, during the hospital rescue that saved Ellie in the first-season finale. The series makes that earlier decision the direct link between Joel’s actions and Abby’s attack.
That connection explains Abby’s motive; it does not settle whether her actions are justified. The story gives the audience the cause of her revenge while leaving the moral judgment to viewers.
#1 Best Overall
- Game: The Last of Us Part II, SteelBook, 48-Page Art Book, Ellie Statue, Ellie’s bracelet, Four stickers, 6 Pins, Digital Art Book, Digital Soundtrack
How Joel’s death fits the season’s story
HBO describes season two as taking place five years after the events of the first season, with Joel and Ellie drawn into conflict. The hospital rescue’s consequences now reach them through Abby, whose loss personalizes the cost of Joel’s choice.
“Through the Valley” is the episode in which the series brings that revenge into the foreground. The official Max April schedule listed the season premiere for April 13, 2025, and the second episode for April 20. Those dates document the original rollout, not current streaming availability in every country.
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How the TV story relates to the game
The HBO series is based on Naughty Dog’s PlayStation game franchise, and season two draws on The Last of Us Part II. The official The Last of Us Part II Remastered release is listed for PS5 and PC and tells Ellie and Abby’s story. It is a way to explore the source narrative, not a substitute for this episode or a requirement for understanding the show.
The game and series are different presentations of the story. Comparisons are most useful when they focus on the timing of revelations, how a scene is staged, and whose perspective the audience follows; a precise scene-by-scene comparison requires checking both versions directly.
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Sources and viewing availability
- HBO / Warner Bros. Discovery’s season announcement describes the premise, cast, season format, and HBO/Max context.
- TVLine’s April 20, 2025 recap identifies Joel’s death, Abby, and the revenge motive.
- HBO / Warner Bros. Discovery’s April Max schedule gives the original episode rollout and platform context.
- PlayStation’s official game page lists the Remastered edition’s platforms and story focus.
- TheWrap’s episode-two coverage and the Los Angeles Times recap discuss the episode and adaptation context.
HBO and Max were the announced distribution platforms for the season. Because catalogs vary by country and change over time, check the service available in your location for current access.
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