The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 2, titled “Through the Valley,” has set the internet ablaze with its bold departures from the original video game, The Last of Us Part II. While Season 1 was praised for its faithfulness to the source material, the second season has already proven willing to take significant creative risks.
In this article, we break down the biggest game changes in The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 2, from the dramatic Jackson invasion to the expanded role of Dina, and explore how these changes reshape the HBO adaptation for newcomers and die-hard fans.
How Does the Jackson Invasion Change the Story in The Last of Us Season 2?
The Jackson invasion in The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 2 marks a dramatic turning point that completely redefines the show’s landscape. Unlike the original game—where Jackson stands as a beacon of safety, untouched by infected hordes—HBO’s adaptation throws viewers into a relentless, large-scale assault that devastates the town and its people.
This isn’t just a visual spectacle; it’s a pivotal shift that shakes the community’s core. As infected breach the walls, countless residents are lost, buildings are destroyed, and Jackson’s hard-earned sense of security is shattered, leaving the survivors facing a long and uncertain recovery.
The showrunners, Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin crafted this battle to reinforce a key message: no place is truly safe in this world. By bringing the fight to Jackson, the series ensures everyone—main characters and townsfolk alike—feels vulnerable and wounded, not just Ellie.
Tommy’s role is also transformed; instead of patrolling with Joel, he emerges as Jackson’s heroic defender, leading the charge against the infected and showcasing the community’s unity in crisis.
This bold narrative twist raises the stakes for every character and keeps Jackson at the story’s emotional center, reminding viewers that survival demands sacrifice and solidarity.
Why Did the Show Change Abby’s Motivation Reveal?
The HBO adaptation of The Last of Us takes a bold new approach by revealing Abby’s motivation for seeking revenge on Joel much earlier than the original game. In The Last of Us Part II, players spend hours not knowing why Abby targets Joel, which leads to confusion and controversy as many struggle to empathize with her actions.
The game’s slow reveal was meant to build empathy by letting players experience Abby’s trauma firsthand. Still, it also resulted in backlash because audiences felt disconnected from her for too long.
As a result, the series introduces Abby’s pain and her quest for justice against Joel right from the start, giving audiences immediate context for her actions and making her more relatable—even if her choices remain controversial.
This early reveal helps viewers understand Abby’s trauma. It aims to avoid the backlash the game faced, making her storyline more nuanced and emotionally engaging for both longtime fans and newcomers.
How Are Patrols and Character Pairings Different?
HBO’s The Last of Us Season 2 reinvents the patrol routines and character pairings that fans loved from the original game, injecting new energy and unpredictability into the story.
While the game features Joel and Tommy as one patrol team and Ellie and Dina as another—pairings that offer players a sense of comfort and continuity—the show shakes things up by sending Joel out with Dina and pairing Ellie with Jesse instead.
This subtle shift greatly impacts the narrative, creating fresh character interactions and unexpected developments.
For example, Joel and Dina’s patrol results in them rescuing Abby, which triggers a brand-new sequence of events that diverges from the game’s established storyline. Meanwhile, Ellie and Jesse’s partnership opens the door to new emotional dynamics and tensions, allowing the show to explore different sides of these beloved characters.
These changes aren’t just for shock value; they’re designed to keep even the most dedicated fans guessing, ensuring each episode feels familiar and thrillingly new. By reimagining who teams up on patrol, the series delivers a bold, engaging twist that keeps viewers hooked and eager for more.
What Happens With Abby and the WLF in This Episode?
In HBO’s The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 2, Abby and the Washington Liberation Front (WLF) make a powerful entrance far more direct than in the original game. Instead of sneaking into Jackson under cover, Abby’s group arrives with urgency and intent.
After Joel and Dina rescue Abby from a swarm of infected, she leads them to a ski lodge, claiming her friends are waiting—unaware they’re walking into a trap. Inside, the WLF is ready, and their true purpose becomes clear almost immediately.
This shift from stealth to confrontation increases tension and accelerates the plot. Rather than keeping viewers guessing about Abby’s motives, the show quickly reveals the WLF’s vendetta, culminating in a shocking and emotional showdown.
Abby’s actions and the WLF’s presence are no longer shrouded in mystery; they catalyze the episode’s most dramatic moments, setting off a chain reaction that will shape the rest of the season.
This bold approach keeps audiences on the edge of their seats and ensures that Abby and the WLF are established as major forces in the story from the start.
How Is Joel’s Death Changed in the Adaptation?
Joel’s death in HBO’s The Last of Us Season 2 is even more graphic and emotionally charged than in the original game, making it a standout moment for longtime fans and new viewers.
In the game, Joel is ambushed with his brother Tommy at his side and beaten to death with a golf club by Abby, while Tommy is left powerless to intervene. The scene is brutal, but the focus remains on Joel and Tommy’s relationship and the shock of the attack.
The series intensifies this iconic moment by changing the setting and who’s present. Instead of Tommy, Joel is on patrol with Dina when they encounter Abby. After saving her from being infected, Joel and Dina are lured into a trap at a mountain lodge.
The WLF drugs Dina, rendering her helpless, and then Abby unleashes a far more violent attack on Joel—she beats him with a golf club until it breaks, then stabs him in the neck with the broken handle. Ellie arrives just in time to witness the devastating final blow, amplifying the emotional impact for both her and the audience.
These changes heighten the brutality and heartbreak of Joel’s death and shift the narrative focus, deepening Dina’s connection to the event and setting up new emotional arcs for Ellie and the rest of the cast.
How Does Dina’s Role Expand in Season 2 Episode 2?
Dina’s role in The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 2 is dramatically expanded compared to the game. Instead of being absent during Joel’s murder, the HBO series places Dina right at the heart of the action—she’s on patrol with Joel, is taken hostage by the WLF, and witnesses Joel’s brutal death firsthand.
This powerful change gives Dina a shared trauma with Ellie, deepening their bond and intensifying her motivation for joining Ellie’s quest for vengeance.
By putting Dina front and center, the show enriches her character and creates a more compelling and emotionally charged dynamic that viewers can connect with.
How Are Tommy and Jesse’s Roles Altered?
In HBO’s The Last of Us Season 2, Tommy and Jesse’s roles are reimagined to bring fresh emotional depth and new storylines. Unlike the game, where Tommy is with Joel during Abby’s attack, the show keeps Tommy in Jackson, where he steps up as a leader defending the town during the infected invasion.
This shift highlights Tommy’s courage and leadership and sets up a more complex arc for him as the season progresses, especially with his new role as a father.
Meanwhile, Jesse is paired with Ellie on patrol, giving viewers a closer look at their friendship and the community’s dynamics in the attack’s aftermath. These changes create new character connections and tensions, making the show’s narrative more unpredictable and emotionally resonant for longtime fans and newcomers.
Why Did The Showrunners Make These Changes?
The creative team, led by Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin, made these changes to heighten the drama, misdirect the audience, and give supporting characters like Tommy and Dina more agency. The infected invasion, for example, provides a thrilling action set piece and creates a sense of unpredictability, making even game fans unsure of what’s coming next.
What Are Critics and Fans Saying About Season 2 Episode 2?
The episode has been praised for its bold storytelling, emotional intensity, and technical achievements. The infected invasion, in particular, has been lauded as a standout sequence, while the changes to Joel’s death and Abby’s motivation have sparked debate among fans. Some appreciate the added context and character development, while others miss the game’s gradual revelations.
Conclusion: How Season 2 Episode 2 Redefines The Last of Us
The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 2 is a defining moment for the series, marking its evolution from faithful adaptation to bold reimagining. The infected invasion of Jackson, the earlier reveal of Abby’s motivation, and Dina’s expanded role deepen the narrative, raise the stakes, and create a more complex, emotionally charged story.
Whether you’re a longtime fan of the games or new to the world of The Last of Us, these changes promise an unforgettable journey ahead.
About The Last of Us 2
The second season of The Last of Us, premiering on HBO on April 13, 2025, continues the post-apocalyptic story based on Naughty Dog’s video game franchise.
Set five years after the first season, Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) now live in Jackson, Wyoming, alongside Tommy (Gabriel Luna), Dina (Isabela Merced), and Jesse (Young Mazino).
Renewed shortly after its January 2023 debut, the season adapts The Last of Us Part II, with co-creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann joined by writers Halley Gross and Bo Shim. Filmed in British Columbia (February–August 2024), the seven-episode season features directing by Druckmann, Mazin, Peter Hoar, Kate Herron, Nina Lopez-Corrado, Mark Mylod, and Stephen Williams. Gustavo Santaolalla returns as composer.
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