Why Does Joel Get Killed in The Last of Us Part II?
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Joel Miller’s death in The Last of Us Part II is a seismic event, a narrative earthquake that irrevocably alters the landscape of the story and the characters we thought we knew. The simple answer to why Joel gets killed is revenge. More specifically, he is brutally murdered by Abby Anderson as retribution for Joel’s killing of Abby’s father, a surgeon attempting to develop a cure for the Cordyceps infection, at the Firefly hospital at the end of the first game. But the reasons are far more complex and nuanced than a simple act of vengeance.
Joel’s death is a culmination of several converging factors: the consequences of his actions in the first game, his growing vulnerability due to a settled life in Jackson, and the unrelenting pursuit of Abby and her group. He made enemies when he took the cure away from the world by killing the doctors. He lived with the guilt, and probably secretly with the fear of the consequences for years. It was only a matter of time before the past caught up with him.
The game intentionally presents a difficult and uncomfortable situation for the player. We are forced to witness, and later embody, the perspective of someone seeking revenge against a character we have grown to love. This narrative technique forces us to confront the cycle of violence and the destructive nature of vengeance, a central theme of The Last of Us Part II.
The Broader Context of Joel’s Demise
While Abby pulls the trigger, Joel’s death is not simply a singular act of retribution. It’s also a commentary on the futility of violence and the devastating impact it has on individuals and communities. The game explores the ripple effects of traumatic events and the ways in which they shape people’s actions and motivations.
Joel’s past is a tapestry woven with threads of violence and loss. He’s a survivor who has made countless difficult choices in a brutal world. While he acted out of love for Ellie, his actions created a chain of events that ultimately led to his own demise. His death is a harsh reminder that even well-intentioned actions can have unforeseen and devastating consequences.
Furthermore, the game challenges the player’s own moral compass. Are Abby’s actions justified? Is revenge ever truly satisfying? The game doesn’t offer easy answers, instead forcing the player to grapple with these complex ethical questions.
The Narrative Purpose of Killing Joel
From a narrative perspective, Joel’s death serves several crucial purposes:
- It raises the stakes: By killing off a beloved character, the game immediately establishes a sense of danger and uncertainty. No one is safe, and anything can happen.
- It drives the plot forward: Joel’s death becomes the catalyst for Ellie’s own journey of revenge, setting the stage for the game’s central conflict.
- It forces character development: Ellie’s quest for vengeance fundamentally changes her, forcing her to confront her own capacity for violence and the toll it takes on her humanity.
- It challenges player expectations: The game subverts the typical hero narrative by killing off a protagonist and forcing the player to empathize with the antagonist.
- It emphasizes the theme of cycle of violence: This is a common topic discussed in game theory and related topics discussed by the Games Learning Society. You can find more information at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Joel’s Death
1. Could Joel have avoided his death?
Perhaps. Joel’s trusting nature, coupled with his ingrained habit of sizing up situations and taking control, played a role in his capture. He lowered his guard, revealing his name and implicitly his past. Had he remained more cautious, the outcome might have been different. However, it’s important to remember that the narrative was designed to ensure his death.
2. Was Joel’s death necessary for the story?
That’s debatable and a point of much contention among players. From a narrative standpoint, it was undeniably a powerful and impactful event that propelled the story forward. However, some argue that it was too brutal and undermined Joel’s character arc in the first game.
3. Did Joel deserve to die?
“Deserve” is a subjective term. He made choices that saved Ellie but condemned countless others. Some believe he got what was coming to him; others see him as a flawed hero who acted out of love. The game intentionally leaves this question open to interpretation.
4. What was Ellie’s reaction to Joel’s death?
Ellie is devastated by Joel’s death. It fuels her intense desire for revenge, consuming her and driving her actions throughout the game. She experiences profound grief, trauma, and anger, which profoundly impacts her relationships and well-being.
5. How did Abby find Joel?
Abby and her group spent years tracking Joel down, following leads and piecing together information from various sources. They eventually learned about Jackson and were able to infiltrate the community.
6. Why was Joel so trusting of strangers?
Years of relative peace in Jackson likely contributed to Joel’s lowered guard. He had found a home and a sense of community, which may have made him less suspicious of outsiders. He also instinctively trusted people in need.
7. What was the significance of the golf club?
The golf club was a deliberate choice, symbolizing the brutality and senselessness of Joel’s death. It’s a mundane object used in a horrific way, highlighting the casual cruelty that exists in the game’s post-apocalyptic world.
8. How did Joel’s death affect Ellie’s relationship with Dina?
Ellie’s obsession with revenge strained her relationship with Dina. Dina, pregnant and concerned for Ellie’s well-being, tried to dissuade her from her dangerous path, leading to conflict and ultimately a temporary separation.
9. What role did Tommy play in Joel’s death?
Tommy, Joel’s brother, was also captured by Abby’s group. His presence further complicated the situation and added another layer of emotional weight to the scene. He survived the initial encounter, but was seriously injured.
10. Was there any way for Joel and Abby to reconcile?
The game suggests that reconciliation between Joel and Abby was highly unlikely, if not impossible. The pain and trauma both had experienced were too deep, and their motivations were driven by a desire for vengeance.
11. How did Joel’s death impact the game’s overall themes?
Joel’s death reinforces the themes of revenge, violence, and the cyclical nature of trauma. It also challenges players to consider the consequences of their actions and the complexities of morality in a post-apocalyptic world.
12. Why didn’t Joel use his experience to defend himself better?
The element of surprise was a significant factor. Abby and her group ambushed Joel and Tommy. Also, Joel may have become complacent after years of relative peace.
13. How did the writers decide to kill off Joel?
The writers felt that killing Joel was necessary to explore the themes of revenge and the cycle of violence in a meaningful way. They wanted to create a story that challenged players and forced them to confront uncomfortable truths.
14. Did Neil Druckmann receive backlash for killing Joel?
Yes, Neil Druckmann, the director of The Last of Us Part II, received significant backlash from some players who were upset by Joel’s death. Some players felt it was a betrayal of the character and the story established in the first game.
15. How does Joel’s death contribute to Ellie’s character arc?
Joel’s death is the defining event in Ellie’s character arc in The Last of Us Part II. It sets her on a path of revenge, forcing her to confront her own capacity for violence and ultimately leading her to question the value of vengeance. She starts to realize the depth of trauma, and the weight of her actions. Her arc becomes not just a story of revenge, but a complex exploration of grief, forgiveness, and the search for meaning in a broken world.