In the second episode of HBO’s The Last of Us season two, Tommy and Maria lead Jackson Hole in a massive battle against a wave of Infected, showcasing epic heroism reminiscent of classic fantasy sieges. The episode culminates in a brutal twist as Joel is killed by Abby, whose motivations are tied to Joel’s past actions, making her thirst for vengeance more relatable for viewers. This shocking turn, occurring early in the season, shifts the narrative focus to Bella Ramsey’s Ellie while sparking debate among fans regarding the pacing and revelations of character arcs compared to the video game.