Joel, what did you do?
But there’s one character that, despite us never seeing him, is piquing fans' curiosity.
That would be Eugene, the late husband ofCatherine O’Hara’s Gail.
Joe Pantoliano as Eugene in ‘The Last of Us’ season 2.Credit:Max
While the circumstances of his death are murky, we know that Joel (Pedro Pascal) is responsible.
So, who is Eugene?
Was Eugene a character in the games on which the series is based?
Joe Pantoliano’s Eugene on ‘The Last of Us’ season 2; Eugene in 2020’s ‘The Last of Us Part II’ video game.HBO; Naughty Dog
And why did Joel kill him?
Read on as we share everything we know about Eugene both on the series and in the games.
Who is Eugene inThe Last of Usgames?
They describe him as funny, sharp, and handy with electronics.
Dina even notes that her technical prowess was due to Eugene.
They both remember him fondly.
But we also learn that Eugene lived a dark and lonely life.
Dina, meanwhile, recounts that Eugene committed terrorist acts with Tommy as a member of the Fireflies.
Dina also recalls a story about Eugene and Tommy “slow-torturing” a FEDRA general.
Catherine O’Hara as Gail on ‘The Last of Us’ season 2 premiere.Liane Hentscher/HBO
According to Ellie and Dina, Eugene died from a stroke at age 73.
It sounds as if he never reconnected with his wife and daughter.
Who is Eugene onThe Last of Usseries?
Joe Pantoliano at the 10th Annual Broadway For Self Help Africa in New York City.John Lamparski/Getty
Liane Hentscher/HBO
The first we hear of Eugene onThe Last of Usseries comes from Gail, Joel’s therapist.
As in the games, Eugene was a talented grower of marijuana.
In the series, Jesse stands in for Dina, revealing that he was Eugene’s patrol partner.
Pedro Pascal’s Joel and Catherine O’Hara’s Gail in ‘The Last of Us’ season 2.Liane Hentscher/HBO
According to Jesse, Eugene left the militant group because he grew “tired of killing people.”
The series deviates from the games in some key ways, though.
In this telling, Gail and Eugene were married and Joel killed him.
Pedro Pascal as Joel in ‘The Last of Us’ season 2.Courtesy of Liane Hentscher/HBO
While Gail acknowledges that Joel “had no choice,” she nevertheless carries anger about it.
“You shot and killed my husband.
You killed Eugene, and I resent you for it,” she says.
“No, maybe a little more than that.
I hate you for it.
I hate you for it.
And yes, I know you had no choice.
I know I should forgive you.
But I tried, and I can’t.
Because of how you did it.”
Jesse also mentions Eugene’s death at Joel’s hands to Ellie.
“That was a raw deal, Joel having to put him down,” he says.
“F—ing shame.
Guy makes it through a war, ends up going out like that.
What are you gonna do?
Couldn’t be saved.”
As of now, we’re still unclear about the circumstances of Eugene’s death.
John Lamparski/Getty
Answers are coming.
We know beloved character actor (andSopranosalum)Joe Pantolianoplays Eugene.
We even see him briefly in thetrailerbeing stalked by an armed Joel.
“It was killer.”
“I’m like, ‘Oh, I don’t know Eugene that well!’
The story we told [in the game] was somewhat superficial.
The way this character comes in really gets to the heart of Joel and Ellie and their relationship.”
Why did Joel kill Eugene?
As of now, that’s unclear.
But the intensity of her anger makes us wonder if it’s not that simple.
Where can I watchThe Last of Us?
Courtesy of Liane Hentscher/HBO
The Last of Usis available to stream onMax.
