Last of Us TV Series: A Bold Character Change Enhances the Story
The Last of Us TV Series: A Bold Character Change Enhances the Story This week's episode of "The Last of Us," titled "Through The Valley," delivered a devastating blow to fans, mirroring a pivotal moment from *The Last of Us: Part II* game: the death of Joel Miller (Pedro Pascal). While Joel's demise at the hands of Abby (Kaitlyn Dever) was expected by those familiar with the game, the TV adaptation introduces a significant alteration in the events leading up to it.
In the game, Joel and his brother Tommy (Gabriel Luna) rescue Abby from infected, setting the stage for Joel's tragic end. However, the show deviates from this by having Dina (Isabela Merced) accompany Joel instead of Tommy. This shift in character dynamics not only adds a new layer of complexity but also enriches the narrative for the remainder of the season.
Dina's Expanded Role in Season 2 The decision to have Dina present during Joel's final moments marks a substantial departure from the source material, yet it offers a wealth of storytelling potential. In *The Last of Us: Part II*, Dina primarily serves as Ellie's support system during her quest for revenge against Abby. The TV series, however, elevates Dina's role by establishing a deeper connection between her and Joel prior to his death. With Joel's relationship with Ellie strained, he relies on Dina for insights into Ellie's life. He even imparts essential skills for maintaining Jackson, such as pipe maintenance. This seemingly innocuous task leads to the horrifying discovery of Cordyceps growing within Jackson's pipes, attracting the infected. Joel's death becomes a significant blow to Dina, amplified by her helplessness due to being sedated during the event. This guilt could serve as a powerful motivator in future episodes.
Tommy's Tragedy: Protecting Jackson While Dina and Joel face Abby and her group, Tommy takes the lead in defending Jackson from the infected horde. This sequence showcases the devastating loss of the community’s hard-won safety. The show effectively portrays the horror as the infected breach Jackson's defenses, claiming lives and shattering the sense of normalcy that Tommy and Maria (Rutina Wesley) worked so hard to establish. The attack also places Tommy and Maria in grave danger. Despite Maria's efforts from the rooftops and Tommy's use of a flamethrower, they narrowly escape death. The episode concludes with a poignant scene of Tommy and Maria surveying the wreckage of their home, highlighting another layer of tragedy surrounding Joel's death. Tommy, unable to reach Joel and Dina via radio, remains unaware of his brother's fate.
A Shattered World and New Beginnings Showrunner Craig Mazin explained that Joel's death and the attack on Jackson were designed to dismantle the characters' sense of security. As Mazin put it, "When you feel like you’ve finally reached stability, sometimes everything falls apart... Creating that threat from inside and out at the same time, we just felt that it was the right way to show how dangerous the world is and how fragile everything is." With Ellie grappling with Joel's loss, Dina mourning the death of someone she cared for, and Tommy facing the destruction of his community, the showrunners have a blank canvas to explore uncharted narrative territory. By reimagining the circumstances surrounding Joel's death, "The Last of Us" demonstrates its willingness to deviate from the source material, solidifying its position as a compelling and unpredictable adaptation.