Although the hype is high for the show's return, the divisive nature of The Last of Us Part II's story means season 2 is bound to be surrounded by controversy. As a result, it seems like HBO will make a few more adaptations to the narrative this time around, and while it will still be fundamentally faithful, there already appear to be some interesting tweaks on the cards. The Last of Us season 2's timeline confirmed that the show will take place a year later than the game, but a far bigger alteration has been teased which could change everything.
The Last Of Us Season 2 Images Suggest Dina Will Be With Joel When He Dies, Not Tommy
Dina Seems To Have Replaced Tommy In Joel's Controversial Death Scene
By far the most talked-about moment from The Last of Us Part II is Joel's death, something HBO is certain to adapt, but there already looks to be a major change regarding the incident. Considering the brutal moment is crucial to Part II's story, Joel's death will undoubtedly be TLOU season 2's most heartbreaking scene whenever it happens, but it seems like Dina will be there rather than Tommy. In the game, Tommy and Joel are out on patrol where they come across Abby, a survivor in distress who they opt to save before Tommy reveals their names.
Considering Joel's death sparks the entire plot of the game, it seems like a bold mood for HBO to replace Tommy with Dina. Of course, this could all be a red herring or an attempt to explain how Dina finds the trio after Joel is killed, but the image certainly seems to hint at Dina taking Tommy's role during this iconic moment, which could have a huge impact on how the rest of the story plays out.
Tommy’s Guilt Over Joel’s Death Plays A Huge Role In His TLOU Part 2 Story
Avenging His Brother Consumes Tommy's Life In The Last Of Us Part II
He chooses to leave his community and go on a solo revenge mission in the hopes that avenging his deceased sibling will give him some sort of closure and clear his conscience. Simply being his brother means Tommy's story can still remain the same, even if he plays less of a direct role in Joel's death, but it would remove a huge part of the guilt that he feels throughout the game.
If HBO goes through with removing Tommy from Joel's notorious death scene, it could result in his journey being completely different in season 2 compared to the video game.
Tommy having a child in TLOU season 2 will also add more stakes to him leaving on his own since he wasn't a father in the source material. However, if HBO goes through with removing Tommy from Joel's notorious death scene, it could result in his journey being completely different in season 2 compared to the video game, creating a completely new experience for the audience.
What Dina Replacing Tommy In The Last Of Us Season 2 Would Mean For The HBO Show
Dina Witnessing Joel's Murder Could Make Her Story Darker In The Video Game Adaptation
However, assuming she was there when Joel died and potentially gave Abby his name, she may feel some guilt of her own, giving her a darker storyline that potentially makes her involvement more pivotal. Dina could end up having a more direct contribution to the violence and action in The Last of Us season 2, and the added stress may add even more weight to her pregnancy later in the series. Likewise, Tommy's part in the story would also change, as he'd be purely motivated by vengeance, rather than regret.
Dina Being The One To Reveal Joel’s Name Would Add Another Layer To Her Relationship With Ellie
Inadvertently Causing Joel's Death Would Drive An Even Bigger Wedge Between The Couple
Assuming Dina does replace Tommy when it comes to Joel's death, she would likely be the one to reveal Joel's name to Abby, potentially harming her relationship with Ellie. Dina and Ellie's romantic bond already undergoes a lot of friction based on the extreme events of The Last of Us Part II, but the added baggage of Dina unintentionally causing Joel's death may do irreparable damage. It could be the sort of secret Dina withholds all the way until season 3, a reveal that would undoubtedly destroy Ellie, who will already be fueled by rage and anguish.
The Last of Us season 2 will premiere on April 13, 2025.
Source: Twitter
