The Last of Us fans are collectively mourning after a major death on the latest episode.
Warning: Spoilers ahead for The Last of Us season 2, episode 2, which aired Sunday, April 20, on HBO.
During Sunday’s episode of the hit zombie drama, lead character Joel Miller, played by Pedro Pascal, was shockingly killed off after a brutal confrontation Abby (Kaitlyn Dever), whose father Joel had previously killed.
In the final moments of the episode, Abby revealed just why she was so hellbent on revenge against Joel. Her father was a doctor at the Salt Lake City hospital that Joel saved Ellie (Bella Ramsey) from in the season 1 finale.
How Many Episodes Is ‘The Last of Us’ Season 2? It’s Shorter Than the 1st
While Ellie tried to save Joel, Abby stabbed him in the neck, killing him.
The episode concluded with Ellie vowing, “I’m gonna kill you. You’re all going to f****** die.”
While Ellie’s revenge is sure to play out as season 2 continues, for now, fans are left with the bitter death of one of the show’s two lead characters.
Viewers flooded the comments section of Pascal’s most recent Instagram post — which was unrelated to The Last of Us, encouraging fans to go see Ryan Coogler’s Sinners in theaters — on Sunday to express their dismay over the twist.
What Happens to Joel in ‘The Last of Us’ Game? His Fate Impacts Season 2
“Pedro, go back to set and change what I just saw. Joel is fine and he gets up. Thank yew!!” wrote one fan.
“Just finished the second episode, you will be hearing from my therapist,” another added.
Another fan paid tribute to Joel, writing, “I sobbed, that’s right. I don’t remember the last time a character made me had a rollercoaster of emotions like this. You are amazing. #thelastofus.”
Over on X, fans pointed out that Joel’s death is in keeping with the plot of the Last of Us video game series on which the show is based. Nonetheless, one person wrote, “#TheLastOfUs game players knew this WHOLE TIME that Joel was gonna die and you didn’t warn me?!?”
“WHO’S DECISION WAS IT FOR JOEL MILLER TO DIE ON EASTER SUNDAY???? HUH??????” wrote another fan.
Every Unanswered Question After ‘The Last of Us’ Season 2 Premiere
Another summed up the loss, writing, “I feel empty. Sad. Joel’s death is even worse than in the game, you can feel the torture he went through. And Ellie’s pain, damn it. 
”
New episodes of The Last of Us premiere on HBO Sundays at 9 p.m. ET.
