Why did Joel kill Eugene in The Last of Us? Here's what we know after Season 2 premiere

HBO’s post-apocalyptic show, The Last of Us Season 2, premiered on April 13, 2025, with a promising first episode that depicted Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie’s (Bella Ramsey) life in the community in Jackson, Wyoming, five years after the violent events of Season 1.

The premiere episode unraveled the new antagonist, Abby, played by Kaitlyn Dever, who has vowed to take revenge on Joel. Additionally, we also encountered Joel going to therapy, which revealed that he killed a member of the community named Eugene. Although the reason behind the killing is not revealed. However, as his wife, Gail (Catherine O'Hara), reveals that Joel had no choice and had to do it, the most plausible reason would be Eugene being infected.

Eugene will be played by Joe Pantoliano and was a minor character in the game who died of a heart attack. However, in the TV series, his role might be a bigger and more important one.

The Last of Us Season 2: Who was Eugene and why did Joel kill him?

In the premiere episode of The Last of Us Season 2, titled Future Days, we see Joel and Ellie not talking much to each other and Ellie being fed up with his attempts to protect her. While Joel is dealing with a strained relationship with Ellie, he also goes to therapy sessions held by Catherine O’Hara’s Gail, whom he pays with marijuana.

The talk between the two unravels the tension between them as we are made aware by Gail that Joel had killed his husband, Eugene, another member of the community. While a little inebriated, Gail prods Joel to reveal his secret, as she knows he is not telling her everything.

Later, she talks about how she hates seeing his face, as he is the one who shot her husband. She tells him that she understands that he had no choice and that she needs to forgive him; however, she is unable to let it go and still resents him for it.

Gail’s words hint at the fact that Eugene might have been infected, and Joel, without any choice, had to kill him. However, the reason behind this has not been revealed yet, and it might be an explosive one that might further complicate Joel and Ellie’s lives.

More about The Last of Us Season 2

Eugene was a minor character in The Last of Us game franchise and died of a heart stroke. He was also the one who brought Dina to the community. However, in the TV series, his role has become a bigger one, which links to Joel and might bring new complications in his life.

This is not the first time the show creators have brought back minor characters. In Season 1, they beautifully portrayed the story of Bill and Frank, which was a hit among fans.

The latest season also introduced a beloved character from the game, Abby, played by Kaitlyn Dever, and also a new type of infected, resulting in more life-threatening hurdles.

Catch The Last of Us Season 2, Episode 1 on Max and HBO.

Also Read: The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 2: Release date news, time, streaming details and more

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Edited by Ishita Banerjee