"The Bravest Person To Step Foot on That Stage": 'The Last of Us' Alums on Kaitlyn Dever's "Gratifying" Season 2, Episode 2 Performance

There’s no moment more controversial — or more emotionally charged — in The Last of Us franchise than Joel’s (Pedro Pascal) death. And in HBO’s Season 2, Episode 2, that moment finally arrived in all its horrific, grim and unrelenting brutality. But while the world reeled from losing Joel, the creators and cast were equally focused on the impossible challenge placed on one actor’s shoulders: Kaitlyn Dever, who plays Abby. Now, we have to be honest about things here. Abby doesn’t just kill Joel. She mercilessly beats him to death, one of TV’s most beloved father figures, in front of Ellie (Bella Ramsey) — and in front of millions of viewers. Stepping into that role? It took guts.