The Last of Us season two is currently HBO’s attempt at transforming an amazing video game into a live-actionTV seriesthat has blown away expectations. Already, there was a lot of hype, and it’s rare that a show like this exceeds that hype and becomes something even more amazing than the source material, thanks to the amazing acting and story.
The episode picks up five years after the events of Season one, focusing on the evolving dynamics between Joel and Ellie in the relatively peaceful community of Jackson, Wyoming. Ellie, now 19, is currently at odds with Joel over Joel’s past decisions and her own emerging identity,including a romance with her friend Dina.
Gail’s Husband, Eugene
In The Last of Us Season 2, while the main spotlight remains on Ellie, Joel,and the evolving drama around them, small moments hint at larger stories. One such moment that has everyone confusedis the therapy scene where Gail’s husband, Eugene, is mentioned.
Now, Gail has been a therapist for Joel as he learns to raise a teenage Ellie. Gail decides thatthey must both let out their deepest secrets to be better people and for Joel to be unburdenedby what he did in the finale of season one.Shementions that she resents Joel for killing her husband, Eugene. But who exactly was he,and why did Joel kill him?
And yes, I know you had no choice. I know that. I know I should forgive you. Well, I’ve tried, and I can’t. Because of how you did it. And looking at your face, sitting in our home, makes me so fucking angry.
-Gail
Who Is Eugene, The Man Joel Killed In The Last Of Us Season 2?
Though we’ve never seen him in season one or in season two,Eugene’s presence is felt deeplybythe characters who knew him,especially his wife, Gail. She’s celebratingher first birthday without himwhen Joel pays her a visit, marking Eugene’s recent death andthe void he left behind.
Eugene’s story doesn’t end with fond memories. It’s revealed, almost in passing, that Joel killed him.Gail doesn’t blame Joel; in fact, she tells him plainly, “I know you had no choice.”That one line says a lot. While the show hasn’t revealed exactly what happened,it strongly suggests that Joel did what he had to do, possibly becauseEugene was infected. In this world, mercy killings aren’t uncommon,and Joel has probably made those kinds of hard decisions before, especially in the games.
Joe Pantoliano, best known for his roles in The Matrix and Bad Boys,is set to portray him in upcoming flashback scenes. That means that we’ll get the story of Eugene’s death andwhat led to Joel pulling the trigger in upcoming episodes. Until then, all we can do ispiece together the storyof the people left behind.
