Who Is Eugene in ‘The Last of Us’ Season 2, and How He Compares to the Game

by

Joe Pantoliano’s character, Eugene Lynden, plays a surprisingly important role in season 2 of The Last of Us, adding depth for viewers even if they haven’t played the game. Though he’s only in one episode of the HBO series, he significantly contributes to the growing tension between Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey). While Eugene is present in the second Last of Us game, the show expands his role, making certain plot points more powerful.

As a huge fan of The Last of Us, I’m okay with not seeing Raymond Pantoliano back as Eugene in season 3, and honestly, I don’t think it’s even necessary. He made such a powerful impact in a short amount of time that he permanently fractured the relationship between Joel and Ellie – it was brilliant. I really appreciated how Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin carefully wove Eugene into the story at just the right moment. And what’s cool is that Pantoliano’s version of the character got way more to do than he did in the original game, even if it was just for one episode.

Eugene In ‘The Last of Us’ — The Biggest Differences Between The Show & The Games Explained


Naughty Dog

As a big fan of the series, one of the biggest differences between the game and the show that really struck me is Eugene. In the games, you actually never see him. His whole story unfolds through things you find – photos, journal entries, that sort of thing. You could even miss it entirely if you weren’t looking! But if you dig around, you learn Eugene was a really well-liked guy in Jackson, though sadly he’d already passed away from a stroke before the events of The Last of Us Part II. He’s not even mentioned in the first game, which makes me think he wasn’t originally planned to be a big part of the story. It’s interesting because he didn’t have a relationship with Ellie, but he was really close to Dina. It’s a subtle but impactful difference.

For the second season of The Last of Us, the showrunners changed Eugene’s history to make him a more involved character, even showing glimpses of his past. Unlike the game, where his death happens before the story begins, the show focuses on Eugene’s fate, hinting that it was more than just a simple accident. Throughout the first few episodes, leading up to the episode featuring Eugene, the show builds suspense around his death, suggesting something darker happened. When Eugene finally appears, the series creates a connection between him, Joel, and Ellie that wasn’t present in the original game.

Why Eugene’s Death Is So Much Darker In ‘The Last of Us’ TV Show


HBO

Eugene initially died of natural causes – a stroke – at an old age, which is remarkable given the dangerous world the game takes place in. Most deaths happen due to the ongoing threats, making Eugene’s peaceful passing unusual. He primarily serves to enrich the game’s world and build its history. The idea of a character remembered only by their legacy is a strong way to develop the game’s story. In a different medium, like television, a less central character like Eugene might feel like an unnecessary use of time and resources, as shows don’t have the same freedom to explore details and environments.

The show’s writers revised Eugene’s storyline to stay true to the source material while also strengthening the overall narrative. In the HBO adaptation, Joel kills Eugene, a significant departure from the game where Eugene dies by suicide after being bitten. The show depicts Eugene wanting to return to Jackson to see his wife one last time, but Joel, fearing for the safety of the community, makes the difficult decision to end his life against Eugene’s will, rather than allowing the infection to spread.

It was already a really tough moment, but it hit even harder realizing Ellie was okay with letting Eugene have that last bit of kindness. Joel pretended to go along with it, then went ahead and killed Eugene while Ellie wasn’t watching. That completely broke Ellie’s trust in him, and honestly, it’s why they barely speak to each other when season 2 of The Last of Us starts. It just felt like such a huge betrayal, and it’s something Ellie really carries with her.

In both the game and the HBO series, Joel and Ellie start the story with a strained relationship. However, the reason isn’t related to Eugene’s death. Ellie discovers that Joel killed many Fireflies to rescue her at the end of the first game/season, and this act prevented the development of a cure for the infection, as her immunity held the key. While this is the core issue in the original story, the show amplifies the conflict by adding Joel’s killing of Eugene to the mix, making the emotional distance between them even more significant.

Eugene’s Enhanced Role In ‘The Last Of Us’ Season 2 Spawned A Brilliant New Character


HBO

Joe Pantoliano’s character’s death resonated with viewers for more than just its effect on Joel and Ellie. His death left Gail Lyden, played by Catherine O’Hara, a widow. Notably, Gail was created specifically for the HBO series and doesn’t appear in the original game. The game instead features a wife named Claire, who is left behind when Eugene joins the Fireflies. While Claire isn’t a major character in the game, Gail plays a significant role in the second season of The Last of Us.

In the show, O’Hara plays Jackson’s therapist, a complex role because she’s also dealing with the grief of losing her husband and has no one to turn to for support. Unlike her late husband, Gail appears in three episodes, significantly increasing her screen time. Her difficult scenes with Joel are a highlight of The Last of Us season 2, and they were made possible by changes to Eugene’s storyline. The Last of Us seasons 1 and 2 are currently available on HBO Max, and season 3 is planned, though a release date hasn’t been announced yet.

Read More

2025-11-22 18:35