The Last of Us Season 3: Should Joel Return One Last Time?

As The Last of Us gears up for its third season, a single question looms like a shadow over its future: should Joel come back in a flashback — or has the show buried him for good?

Season 2 shattered fans with the brutal death of Joel Miller, portrayed by Pedro Pascal in a performance so hauntingly raw that many viewers never fully recovered. The series, praised for its grounded emotional storytelling amid an apocalyptic hellscape, dared to rip out its own heart — and the audience felt it.

Now, as the story shifts toward Abby, the very woman who killed Joel, the series finds itself at a dangerous crossroads. Ratings dipped. Viewer loyalty wavered. And while Bella Ramsey’s Ellie carried much of Season 2 with grit and grief, it’s clear: the specter of Joel haunts every frame.

But could a Joel flashback be the key to reclaiming the show's emotional anchor?

The Risk of Resurrection — Even in Memory

Joel’s final appearance, a beautifully tragic flashback in Season 2, was widely praised. It offered closure, heartbreak, and a glimpse of the humanity that made his bond with Ellie unforgettable. To bring him back again—especially without care—risks undermining the weight of that moment. Would it be emotional payoff… or emotional manipulation?

The truth? It all depends on the why.

A flashback that deepens Abby’s arc—perhaps showing how she tracked Joel, or revealing if she ever wrestled with what he did to her father—could be narratively rich. It would reframe the story through Abby’s eyes, making her more than just "the woman who killed Joel." It would humanize the hunter.

The Power—and Danger—of Nostalgia

Pedro Pascal’s Joel has become more than a character. He’s a symbol of resilience, redemption, and heartbreak. His death was necessary for the narrative, yes. But it also fractured the audience. Many haven’t fully accepted Abby, and maybe never will.

A Joel flashback would instantly light up social media, draw back lapsed fans, and reignite emotional investment. But it could also re-open wounds the show never quite healed. It would remind viewers of what was lost—and who took it away.

Our Verdict: Bring Him Back, But With Purpose

Joel’s return—brief, strategic, and emotionally grounded—could be a masterstroke. But only if it serves the story. If Season 3 is truly Abby’s, then Joel’s ghost must teach her something she never expected to learn.

Revenge got her this far. But only understanding can take her forward.

If The Last of Us wants to reclaim its crown as prestige horror television, it must tread carefully. The dead don’t always stay buried—but in this world, even memory has a price.

Season 3 is coming. And Joel may not be done with us yet.