The Last of Us season 2 premiere jumped forward in time while introducing viewers to a whole slate of new characters, from Isabela Merced‘s spritely Dina to Kaitlyn Dever’s tight-jawed Abby.
But there’s one character that, despite us never seeing him, is piquing fans’ curiosity. That would be Eugene, the late husband of Catherine O’Hara’s Gail. 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? And why did Joel kill him? Read on as we share everything we know about Eugene — both on the series and in the games.
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
We never meet Eugene in the games, but his presence hangs over The Last of Us Part II like a cloud of marijuana smoke. Ellie and Dina discuss Eugene several times in the game, painting a portrait of the late weed enthusiast that’s as tragic as it is wistful.
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. He was married with a child, but his duties with the Firefly resistance group took him away from home. While exploring an abandoned library where Eugene had set up an outpost, players can find a note from his wife begging him to return home.
Dina, meanwhile, recounts that Eugene committed terrorist acts with Tommy as a member of the Fireflies. “They got into some real dark s—,” she says, noting an attack on FEDRA forces in the Denver Quarantine Zone that killed three soldiers and two civilians. Dina also recalls a story about Eugene and Tommy “slow-torturing” a FEDRA general.
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.
Catherine O’Hara as Gail on ‘The Last of Us’ season 2 premiere. Liane Hentscher/HBO
What we know about Eugene in The Last of Us series comes from Gail, Joel’s therapist. As in the games, Eugene was a talented grower of marijuana. Even in the winter months, Gail says “the man would grow buds the size of pinecones — sticky as glue.”
The series deviates from the games in some key ways, though. In this telling, Gail and Eugene were married — and Joel killed him. 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 that. I know I should forgive you. But I tried, and I can’t. Because of how you did it.”
As of now, we don’t know the circumstances of Eugene’s death. Gail’s remark about Joel having no choice leads us to believe that Eugene was bitten by one of the infected. We also know that Eugene was killed somewhat recently, as Gail says it’s her “first birthday without my husband in 41 years.”
Joe Pantoliano at the 10th Annual Broadway For Self Help Africa in New York City. John Lamparski/Getty
Answers are coming. We know beloved character actor (and Sopranos alum) Joe Pantoliano plays Eugene. We even see him briefly in the trailer being stalked by an armed Joel.
In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, O’Hara discussed shooting the scene and teased an upcoming flashback episode that will unpack Eugene’s story. “I’ve never had to cry so much for so many takes,” she said of the episode. “It was killer.”
“I get excited when I see these opportunities,” co-creator Neil Druckmann previously told Variety of the season’s approach to Eugene. “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.”
Pedro Pascal’s Joel and Catherine O’Hara’s Gail in ‘The Last of Us’ season 2. Liane Hentscher/HBO
As of now, that’s unclear. Gail’s comment about how she should forgive Joel for pulling the trigger because he “had no choice” points towards Eugene having been infected. But the intensity of her anger makes us wonder if it’s not that simple.
Pedro Pascal as Joel in ‘The Last of Us’ season 2. Courtesy of Liane Hentscher/HBO
The Last of Us is available to stream on Max. New episodes of The Last of Us season 2 premiere on Sundays at 9 p.m. ET/PT and 8 p.m. CT.
Sign up for Entertainment Weekly‘s free daily newsletter to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.
