The Last of Us Season 2 quietly erased the most brutal revenge arc fans were waiting for

The Last of Us Season 2 has sparked intense discussions among fans, not just for faithfully adapting Joel’s harrowing fate, but for quietly omitting one of the game’s most gripping storylines. In The Last of Us Part II, Tommy Miller embarks on a brutal solo mission after Joel’s murder, leaving Jackson to hunt down Abby’s group.

His one-man crusade becomes legendary, with enemies mistaking him for an entire force. However, The Last of Us Season 2 has taken a different approach. Tommy’s arc has been reshaped to show him as a grounded leader tied to Jackson, now with a son, whose responsibility outweighs revenge.

Following Joel’s death in the second episode, Tommy remains home, while Ellie and Dina drive the revenge narrative westward. This shift has been met with mixed reactions, as many fans expected Tommy’s raw path of vengeance. Still, as The Last of Us Season 2 continues, viewers wonder if the show will revisit his rage or if this change is permanent.

Why The Last of Us Season 2 removed Tommy’s brutal revenge arc after Joel’s death

The Last of Us Season 2 has made several narrative choices that deviate from The Last of Us Part II, but none have caused more debate than the erasure of Tommy’s intense revenge storyline.

In the original game, Tommy responds swiftly and violently to Joel’s murder. He leaves Jackson alone, driven by rage and grief, to hunt Abby and her allies. His actions in the game were so relentless that the Washington Liberation Front mistook his solo assault for that of a large militia. However, HBO’s adaptation chose a far quieter path.

According to multiple sources, Tommy’s live-action portrayal in The Last of Us Season 2 centers on his responsibilities within Jackson. Rather than embarking on a solo mission, Tommy stays behind, tending to a community devastated by recent losses and protecting his new family, including his son with Maria.

Tommy remains in Jackson, where his role as a leader and his responsibilities toward his family keep him grounded. This shift not only grounds Tommy as a leader but also removes his symbolic transformation from grieving brother to ruthless avenger.

Gabriel Luna, in a Variety interview on April 28, 2025, said Tommy “wants to enact justice himself,” reflecting his inner conflict. He also added,

"If the town chooses and if it goes through the process, and we decided we needed to do it, then he’s justified in doing it. So he absolutely votes yes, let’s go, against all his better judgment, against the will of his wife, against — even though I think Maria also votes yes — which is interesting."

Despite this, the series chose restraint. His fury and grief remain visible, particularly during emotional moments like the morgue scene, yet his actions are more passive compared to his game counterpart.

The showrunners' rationale behind altering Tommy’s arc

As The Last of Us Season 2 unfolds, showrunner Craig Mazin and his team appear to have restructured Tommy’s arc to deepen the show’s emotional stakes. Rather than focusing on his external violence, the series highlights the psychological burden he carries.

The introduction of Gail, a therapist within Jackson, frames Tommy’s choice as part of a broader theme of responsibility and the desire to prevent further loss. Additionally, Tommy’s family life has been expanded in the show. His bond with Maria and their child adds another layer to his reluctance to pursue vengeance.

In The Last of Us Season 2, Episode 3, Tommy even votes against Ellie’s proposal to send a team to Seattle, emphasizing that rebuilding Jackson takes precedence over retaliation. As pointed out during the town hall meeting scene, "We are too hurt, and it is too soon" became the dominant argument against escalation.

Still, this narrative choice has been divisive. Fans familiar with the game’s story viewed Tommy’s arc as a key reflection of how grief can consume and reshape a person. Its absence, for some, dilutes the thematic weight of Joel’s death.

The road ahead for Tommy and the impact of his changed journey

Although The Last of Us Season 2 has downplayed Tommy’s violent path, there remains a possibility his role could evolve later in the season. Tommy might still head to Seattle later in the season to possibly assist Ellie and Dina. Whether this happens or not, it is clear that the series is prioritizing Ellie’s descent into revenge as the central focus.

Ellie and Dina’s decision to leave Jackson and track Abby themselves marks a stark contrast to Tommy’s withdrawal. The series underscores that while Tommy chooses preservation, Ellie embraces pursuit. This split further emphasizes the show's central theme of grief manifesting in different ways.

Stay tuned for more updates.