“I want people to be able to wrestle with it”: Troy Baker Wants ‘The Last of Us’ Series Fans to Go Through the Same Pain That Still Haunts Him After Years

As Craig Mazin and his team continue full speed into the development of the second season of HBO’s adaptation, it is fascinating to look back on Baker’s thoughts on the original’s events and discern what it could mean for the show’s future.

Troy Baker Finds It Difficult to Move Past Joel’s Death in The Last of Us

Joel’s death in The Last of Us Part II is often considered as one of the most traumatic in all of gaming – Image Credit: Naughty Dog.

When it first came out and pushed the PlayStation 3’s capabilities to the limit, The Last of Us captivated everyone with its visuals, narrative, and compelling characters.

However, the same cannot be said for Part II, which kicks off with one of the most shocking and divisive moments in gaming history, polarizing fans with its presentation and the ensuing narrative.

Despite that kind of infamy, however, moving past this pivotal moment has been quite the challenge for Troy Baker. Not only that, but he also wants people to experience it all over again in the upcoming sequel to the HBO adaption, saying in an interview:

"I want to see [Joel’s death] again, I want people to be able to wrestle with it. I did, and for me it’s a part of that story, it’s the truest version of that story."

While his words reflect a deep understanding of the characters, fans of the games may not feel the same way about Pedro Pascal’s rendition of Joel.

With him being a somewhat colder and, some might argue, directionless version of the same character, the events that follow in The Last of Us Part II, including his death, may not strike the same chord with people the way they once did.

Troy Baker may have complete faith in Mazin, but it’s a feeling of cautious optimism that emanates more from the series’ fanbase.

Many People Expect the Second Season of The Last of Us to Change Things Around

Here’s the thing—Joel’s death defines everything about The Last of Us Part II, serving as the core catalyst for Ellie’s journey and the game’s exploration of its themes.

Whether or not it was successful in said exploration is debatable at best. Still, Joel’s role in it is difficult to change, even if that’s precisely what fans may desire to see in the upcoming season.

An unprecedented number of people continue to speculate about potential changes in the HBO adaptation, with some hope for alterations that might soften the blow or shift the storyline in unexpected ways.

If history is a lesson, it’s an unlikely scenario, and perhaps what’s more important is to wonder whether the emotional weight of the moment would still persist within the realm of television. The adaptation may be true to the story, but whether it carries some weight and sinking feeling remains to be seen.

With all that said, what are your thoughts on this? Would you like to change how things play out in The Last of Us Part II? Let us know in the comments below.