The Last of Us Season 2 Finale Sparks Hope for Joel’s Return and Unpacks Bold Adaptation Choices

After Joel’s shocking death early in The Last of Us season 2, fans might expect that the beloved character’s story has come to an end. But showrunners Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin have made it clear: never say never. In a recent press event, they hinted that Joel could still return in future seasons, albeit in unexpected ways, such as flashbacks or side stories exploring untold parts of his life.

Joel’s demise was the emotional core of season 2, shaping much of the narrative and driving Ellie’s quest for vengeance. However, Druckmann and Mazin acknowledged that season 3 may offer more narrative flexibility, allowing the show to explore “side trips” like Joel’s past adventures or moments with his brother Tommy. This openness keeps the door ajar for depoicting Joel’s younger years or unseen chapters in his storied life, even if Pedro Pascal’s time as Joel might be finished.

The season 2 finale’s ambiguous ending—where Ellie appears to be shot by Abby but then shifts to a different moment—was a deliberate choice by the creators. They wanted to capture the essence of the game while embracing the strengths of television storytelling. Unlike games, where player perspective is limited, the series can fluidly switch viewpoints, enabling character deep-dives such as the addition of Gail, a therapist who challenges Joel emotionally and helps viewers better understand his internal struggles.

Not all changes from the source material were popular with the fanbase. For example, Abby’s physical portrayal differs from the game’s muscular design, a choice the showrunners defended as part of TV’s broader storytelling freedom over gameplay-driven character design. Similarly, some plot shifts—like Tommy’s absence during Joel’s death scene—were made to redistribute agency and keep narratives fresh for viewers.

Certain intense moments from the game, like Ellie’s brutal killing of Alice the dog, were omitted to avoid overwhelming audiences with graphic violence and to maintain tonal balance amidst an already heavy season.

With season 3 anticipated to focus more on Abby’s story and the fallout of these traumatic events, The Last of Us continues to carefully navigate between fidelity to its video game roots and new storytelling avenues unique to television. Joel’s story may not be over after all, and fans can expect more surprises as the series evolves.