If you've come to watch the second episode of HBO's The Last of Us Season 2, titled 'Through the Valley', without playing the game, did your jaw just drop at that moment? There's a reason why The Last of Us Part II game received such polarising reactions from fans compared to the first, despite widespread critical acclaim - and a lot of it comes down to that one moment. It sparked such intense backlash that players were stunned to find themselves playing half the game as the character responsible. ‘The Last of Us’ Season 2 Episode 1 Review: Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey Return to a World of More Dangerous Infected and Damaged Bonds.

SPOILERS AHEAD if you haven't watched the episode or played the game. The moment in question is the shocking murder of Joel (played in the series by Pedro Pascal) at the hands of Abby (portrayed by Kaitlyn Dever), while his foster daughter Ellie (Bella Ramsey), incapacitated, can do nothing but helplessly watch him die. Abby is seeking revenge for Joel’s killing of her father in the first season. In the aftermath, Ellie embarks on a brutal revenge spree—though ultimately, no one comes out on top.

For fans familiar with the game, this moment was expected to arrive early in Season 2 - Pedro Pascal is now free to leave the zombie wastelands and leap into intergalactic adventures in his upcoming films like The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Avengers: Doomsday, and The Mandalorian and Grogu.

How Internet Reacted to Joel's Demise in 'The Last of Us' Season 2

‘Everyone Experiencing THAT Moment’

Everyone experiencing THAT moment on #TheLastOfUs for the first time…welcome to the trauma. pic.twitter.com/KsHhrOrvze

— The FN Nerds Podcast (@fn_nerds) April 21, 2025

‘Hasta Pronto, Joel’

Hasta pronto, Joel.#TheLastOfUs2 #TheLastOfUs pic.twitter.com/RO6bFTZoPB

— The New Insight (@InsightTheNew) April 21, 2025

‘Me Trying To Save Joel’

Me trying to save Joel#TheLastOfUs pic.twitter.com/rnpKXajZjm

— Sancheezzzy (@Scoby20) April 21, 2025

‘The Last of Us Fandom After Episode 2’

Currently in The Last of Us fandom after episode 2:#TheLastOfUs pic.twitter.com/1WY4cjQ9bX

— cσσkíє 🎮 Kid Icarus Uprising🏹 (@ArcanaLegacy) April 21, 2025

‘He Protected Every Goddamn Teenage Girl Until It Killed Him’

joel couldn’t save his daughter, so he protected every goddamn teenage girl until it killed him #TheLastOfUs pic.twitter.com/SwOqvsBfhA

— emma 🍓 tlou s2 spoilers (@urbluestdays) April 21, 2025

‘You Didn’t Warn Me?’

#TheLastOfUs game players knew this WHOLE TIME that Joel was gonna die and you didn’t warn me?!? pic.twitter.com/fKXD4IwWSA

— Jarett Wieselman (@JarettSays) April 21, 2025

Kaitlyn Dever’s performance as Abby has, however, sparked mixed reactions. It was inevitable her character would be hated for what she did to Joel - regardless of her motivations - but some viewers felt Dever’s portrayal didn’t quite align with how Abby was depicted in the game, particularly during the monologue leading up to the killing. Others, however, praised her performance, even if they continued to despise the character. And there are others who are worried for the actress receiving death threats from crazy fans who simply cannot differentiate between the character and the actor. ‘The Last of Us’ Sets Return With Season 3 on HBO Ahead of Season 2 Premiere on April 13.

‘Absolute Chills’

kaitlyn dever acting her ass off right here. absolute chills #thelastofus pic.twitter.com/V0DNPWBRgL

— Nora Dominick (@noradominick) April 21, 2025

‘What a Performance, Honestly’

#TheLastOfUs SPOILERS!

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Kaitlyn Dever may not match Abby’s physicality but when Abby started beating Joel, you could see this crazed rage take over her face, this primal desire for revenge… What a performance, honestly. pic.twitter.com/YEY0sxBM30

— megs | fred hechinger + joseph quinn lover (@fredhechinger) April 21, 2025

‘With Not Enough Nuance… or Pain’

I think Kaitlyn Dever played that scene… with not enough nuance… or pain.

I don’t know if her Abby can come back from that.#TheLastOfUs

— Grace Randolph (@GraceRandolph) April 21, 2025

‘Do NOT Send Hate or Threats to Kaitlyn Dever’

Friendly reminder: do NOT send hate or threats to Kaitlyn Dever on any social media platform. She is an actress playing a character.#TheLastOfUs

— b ✌︎ (@BrittTheeHuman) April 21, 2025

‘Remember That Kaitlyn Dever Is an ACTOR’

First time fans of #TheLastOfUs: Remember that Kaitlyn Dever is an ACTOR. She did her job. She's not Abby. She didn't kill Joel. She's just an actor.

Check yourselves and keep it classy while you're mourning 👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/4diIExLDm0

— Lyra Hale ✍️🇵🇷🏳️‍🌈 (@MsLyraHale) April 21, 2025

‘Kaitlyn Dever Get Behind Me’

After tonight’s episodes of The Last Of Us, Kaitlyn Dever get behind me. I am not a fan of your character at all but I get Abby’s motivation. But it’s KD flawless performance that blew me away. She nailed the scene & was born to a play this character. #TheLastOfUs pic.twitter.com/7Asc9ts1ri

— The Patric (@ThePatricIsReal) April 21, 2025

Adding a poignant layer to the moment, Dever recently revealed that her mother’s funeral took place three days before filming that emotional scene - a grief that arguably finds its way into her performance. The Last of Us is currently streaming on Max in the US and on JioHotstar in India.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 21, 2025 08:00 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).