The Last of Us TV series is captivating audiences not just with its storyline but also by making significant alterations to characters and plot lines from the original video game. After Season 2 premiered, one character that sparked considerable conversation was Eugene Linden. Fans eagerly awaited the reveal of Eugene’s backstory, which finally came to light in Season 2, Episode 6. If you’re curious about who Eugene is and why Joel killed him, you’re in the right place.
Spoilers Warning:
This article contains major spoilers regarding Eugene’s character from The Last of Us Part 2 game and Season 2 of the TV show. Proceed with caution.
Who Is Eugene in The Last of Us Season 2?
Eugene Linden, portrayed by Joe Pantoliano, was a member of the tightly-knit community in Jackson, Wyoming, led by Maria. He lived there with his wife, Gail, a therapist, and had a past entwined with Joel’s brother, Tommy, having previously been part of the Fireflies militia. Eugene served as a patrolman in Jackson and played a mentor role to Dina, even though his character was only briefly mentioned or shown in the games.
The creative minds behind The Last of Us, Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin, chose to enrich Eugene’s narrative in the live-action series, similar to what they did for Bill and Frank in season one. Pantoliano’s introduction as Eugene was much-anticipated and finally came in episode 7.
Eugene’s Backstory in The Last of Us Season 2
In the show, Eugene is depicted as having been born between 1964 and 1965. His early years remain largely unexplored, but it’s known that he was married to Claire (renamed Gail in Season 2, played by Catherine O’Hara) and had an unnamed daughter. For fans of the game, it’s significant that a letter in-game revealed Eugene left his family to join the Fireflies despite their pleas for him to stay.
The adaptation takes a different turn in Eugene’s storyline, as we learn in the first episode that he served in the military during the Vietnam War, eventually joining the Fireflies after the Cordyceps outbreak. These traumatic experiences deeply affected his mental health, prompting him to lead a quieter life in Jackson with Gail.
Why Did Joel Kill Eugene in The Last of Us?
In The Last of Us Part 2 game, Eugene peacefully died of a stroke at 73, marking an unusual moment of natural death in a post-apocalyptic world. However, the show takes a darker twist. In Joel’s therapy session with Gail, she expresses her deep resentment toward him for killing Eugene.
You shot and killed my husband. You killed Eugene.
And I resent you for it.
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.Well, I’ve tried, and I can’t… because of how you did it.
And looking at your face sitting in our home… makes me so f*cking angry.
Gail’s conversation hints that Eugene may have been bitten during his patrol. Indeed, during a patrol, Eugene was attacked by infected, and although Joel was close by, he was unable to save him in time. In his final moments, Eugene asked to see Gail one last time, a wish that Joel initially resisted but ultimately allowed Ellie to persuade him to honor.
Please. I figure I got about an hour. So, this is what we do…
…I’d say goodbye – Eugene.
Despite promising Ellie to honor Eugene’s wish, Joel ultimately shot him to spare him from turning into an infected. Upon returning Eugene’s body to Jackson, Joel misled Gail about the circumstances of her husband’s death. He told her that Eugene had been brave and loved her, reframing the narrative, but Ellie later revealed the truth to Gail.
This choice to deepen Eugene’s character in the series adds layers to the audience’s understanding of Joel and further emphasizes the complexities of his relationship with Ellie. Through this impactful storytelling, viewers gain insight into Joel’s moral compass, while Eugene’s death amplifies the growing rift between him and Ellie.
Joe Pantoliano’s portrayal of Eugene adds depth and nuance to a character with limited screen time. Did you enjoy these changes made to Eugene in The Last of Us Season 2? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.