The Last Of Us Season 2 Showrunner Reveals The Hardest Part Of Filming Episode 2's Big Moment: "We Were Breaking Something"

Warning: There are spoilers ahead for The Last of Us season 2, episode 2.

As The Last of Us season 2's second episode adapted the harrowing events of Joel's death, Mazin opened up to Entertainment Weekly about the just as emotional moments that occurred during filming. According to the showrunner, Ramsey's performance amplified the emotions behind the sequence due to their bond with Pascal and the hard journey they had embarked on to bring the story to the television screen. Check out Mazin's full response below:

The hardest part was watching Bella watching it happen. Pedro and Bella are extraordinarily close. They worked hand in glove, they care deeply about each other. If you're going to pretend to be in that moment, it's probably a simple thing, but this isn't pretend. I can tell you just from being in that room, it's happening: The pain that [Ellie's] feeling there and then that rage… That is not calculated or synthetic. It was hard to feel like we were breaking something that we had all spent so much time very carefully building and making work.

How The Last Of Us Season 2's Major Death Will Be Felt Throughout The Season

Joel's Death Is A Point Of No Return

That isn't to lessen the actual impact Joel's death has on the rest of the cast, as his loss sends other characters spiraling down paths that ultimately lead to ruin. Left with little to lose, Ellie is set on a quest to avenge her father, continuing the cycle that Joel set Abby (Kaitlyn Dever) on and setting the pair on a collision course. However, even though she has committed a heinous act, Abby's controversial story is not over, as later explorations will make her the most complicated character of the season.

Our Thoughts On Joel's The Last of Use Season 2 Death

Despite Any Differences, The Ending Still Hits The Right Beats

Though the circumstances surrounding Joel's death do vary some from The Last of Us' source material, the moment is nevertheless just as heartbreaking. The TV series has given audiences a more balanced perspective on the event that explains Abby's motive, but it nevertheless stings to see the newcomer wreak vengeance on last season's protagonist. When paired with Ramsey's performance, the emotional climax is sure to stand out as one of 2025's most harrowing television moments.

Source: Entertainment Weekly