In a recent episode of HBO’s acclaimed series The Last of Us, fans were left reeling as Pedro Pascal’s character, Joel, met a tragic end at the hands of Abby, played by Kaitlyn Dever. This shocking twist has sparked emotional reactions from both Pascal and his co-star Bella Ramsey, who portrays Ellie.
Key Takeaways
-
Pedro Pascal expresses denial about Joel’s death, emphasizing the emotional bond with the cast.
-
Bella Ramsey reveals her deep emotional response to the script, stating she “sobbed” while reading the scene.
-
The show’s creators aimed for a natural storytelling approach to Joel’s demise, staying true to the source material.
Pedro Pascal’s Emotional Response
Pedro Pascal, reflecting on the devastating moment, admitted to being in “active denial” about his character’s fate. He shared that as he ages, he finds himself slipping into denial about endings, particularly regarding his role as Joel.
“I know that I’m forever bonded to so many members of the experience and just have to see them under different circumstances, but never will under the circumstances of playing Joel on The Last of Us,” Pascal stated.
He also noted the profound impact of his character’s death on the cast and crew, recalling their heartbreak when they first saw him in full makeup for the scene.
Bella Ramsey’s Heartfelt Reaction
Bella Ramsey, who has taken on a more prominent role as Ellie following Joel’s death, shared her own emotional journey. Despite knowing Joel’s fate from the beginning, reading the script was still a gut-wrenching experience for her.
“I knew that it was coming as I was reading the episode, and I was dreading getting to that bit, and I cried. I actually sobbed my little heart out. It was the first time I ever cried from reading a piece of writing,” Ramsey revealed.
The Storytelling Approach
The decision to kill off Joel early in Season 2 was a deliberate choice by the show’s creators, Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann. They aimed to avoid tormenting the audience with anticipation, ensuring that the moment felt organic to the story.
Mazin explained, “If people know it’s coming, they will start to feel tormented. Our instinct was to make sure that when we did it, that it felt natural in the story.”
Future of The Last of Us
While Joel’s death marks a significant turning point in the series, it does not mean the end of Pascal’s involvement. Flashbacks featuring Joel are expected to appear in upcoming episodes, allowing fans to continue experiencing his character’s journey.
As the series progresses, viewers will witness how Ellie copes with the loss of her father figure and how this event shapes her character’s development.
Conclusion
The emotional weight of Joel’s death resonates deeply with both the cast and the audience, highlighting the powerful storytelling that The Last of Us is known for. As the series continues, fans are left to ponder the implications of this shocking twist and how it will affect the characters moving forward.
