Actor Gabriel Luna discusses Joel's demise and future plans for character Tommy in 'The Last of Us'.
Heave a heavy heart, folks! If you've been keeping up with "The Last of Us" season 2, then you know Joel's heart-wrenching demise has left an undeniable impact on the show's characters, none more so than his brother, Tommy.
At the latest screening hosted by Max and Complex, actor Gabriel Luna, who plays Tommy, revealed that his character is struggling to cope with the loss, stating, "Give Sarah my love," as he tenderly wiped the blood off his arm, referencing Joel's late daughter who also left us in the show's premiere.
As the third episode begins, the people of Jackson are still reeling from Joel's death. Ellie, for one, is bent on revenge against Abby, who was responsible for Joel's death. However, the show's leadership, namely Tommy, is pushing for a more cautious approach – one that doesn't involve reckless revenge missions.
Following the tragic loss, Tommy takes on an even greater responsibility for protecting Ellie as she pursues her quest for justice. Luna shared during the post-screening Q&A that Tommy has already given his word to help Ellie. "I already told her I got her back," he said.
Now, with his character's heroes-over-vengeance approach, it seems Tommy will play a significant role in keeping the peace within Jackson and managing ongoing threats from infected and hostile groups.
Although the show leaves the question of "who is the villain?" open for interpretation, Luna believes that Tommy remains in the dark about certain actions Joel took in the pursuit of saving Ellie's life. As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how these revelations – if and when they come – affect Tommy's relationship with both Ellie and his loyalty to his deceased brother.
Luna certainly appreciates the show's no-nonsense approach to storytelling, stating, "We make choices, and we pay the price. That's just it." The show's unflinching depiction of life's brutal honesty and those unexpected shifts and changes will undoubtedly drive the narrative forward as we continue to watch Tommy and the other survivors navigate their perilous world.
Enrichment Tips:
- In contrast to the video game, the TV show presents Tommy as a more heroic character who emphasizes community safety over personal revenge.
- As the season unfolds, expect to see Tommy play a significant role in managing conflicts within the community and navigating potential conflicts between his desire to keep the peace and Ellie's desire for revenge.
- Throughout the show, Tommy's character arc will likely be defined by his relationship with Ellie, Joel, and his own sense of proportional justice and responsibility.
- Ellie, in her quest for justice against Abby, finds a strong ally in Tommy, who shares his intention to help her, as he told her, "I already got your back."
- As the tragic loss of Joel continues to affect the people of Jackson, Tommy assumes an even greater role in protecting Ellie and maintaining a peaceful community, navigating the constant threats from infected and hostile groups.
- In the upcoming episodes of "The Last of Us" season 2, Tommy's character development will be heavily influenced by his relationships with Ellie, Joel, and his growing understanding of Joel's earlier actions, providing an intriguing layer to the show's depiction of life's complexities and shifting circumstances in the world of movies and TV entertainment.
