Does Jesse Die in The Last of Us: Part 2?

Jesse's final moments in The Last of Us Season 2 mirror the game's heartbreak

For fans of The Last of Us, the Season 2 finale was brutal and shocking. Not only did we see the reappearance of Abby, but Jesse, played by Young Mazino, *SPOILER ALERT* was killed. Question is, does Jesse die in The Last of Us: Part II? Yes.

Jesse’s death in The Last of Us: Part 2 was swift and the show adaptation is nearly a shot-for-shot reproduction of the game. His final moments happen as he and Ellie crash into the theater foyer to save Tommy, whom Abby has at gunpoint. As they enter, Abby shoots and Jesse crumbles. Ellie seeks cover.

For Jesse, there are no last words or time to process. It’s a sudden, violent death. Flashbacks could bring Jesse back, but for now, he’s dead, another death as the result of a mission of revenge.

Jesse’s Death is Accurate, But Does That Make it Right?

Jesse on HBO's The Last of Us — Image via HBO

MORE: Is There Going to Be a Season 3 of The Last of Us?

Regarding precision, the HBO series is flawless. Jesse’s death in the game is identical: a quick, unceremonious headshot during Abby’s assault. And his death is lost in the shuffle of it all as Abby tries to kill Ellie and Ellie rightfully runs. In the game, Abby and Lev go after her, leaving behind a wounded Tommy and Jesse’s body.

When it comes to Jesse, Redditor DavidsMachete calls him “the epitome of a disposable character,” arguing that his narrative purpose was to be a sperm donor and then exit so that Ellie and Dina could raise their child complication-free.

“He dies because Abby needed to kill one of Ellie’s group and it couldn’t be Dina,” they write, adding that Ellie “barely tolerates him.” Many game fans echo this feeling: that Jesse, in a way, is punished for being selfless, stable, yet inconvenient.

For other fans, Mazino is the only Asian representation on The Last of Us. Mazino himself is Korean-American. And he represents an Asian character that isn’t a stereotype. He’s on the counsel in Jackson, is a fierce and dependable fighter, and is open to pivoting no matter what comes his way. And his swift death hurts for those who saw themselves in Jesse.

What did you think of The Last of Us Season 2 finale? Let us know in the comments below!

Sohini

Sohini Sengupta is a pop culture nerd, that is to say, chronically online. Armed with journalism and literature creds, she prioritizes underrepresented narratives and decodes Hollywood drama as if her life depends on it (which it does, because she gets paid for it). Trilingual in English, Hindi, and Bengali, she’s here to turn your streaming obsessions into think pieces—and maybe convince her dog that binge-watching is a valid research method!