The Last Of Us 'breaks the internet' after most shocking moment in the games is brought to life

Fans of The Last of Us say the latest episode 'breaks the internet' as the most heartbreaking twist in the game is brought to life.

HBO's hit post-apocalyptic drama TV series, based on the video game of the same name, has been making us all a nervous wreck since it first aired in January 2023.

The story, developed by Naughty Dog, is set 20 years into the midst of a pandemic caused by a fungal infection, which turns people into 'zombies' and is behind the worldwide collapse of civilisation.

It follows main character Joel Miller, played by Pedro Pascal, and 14-year-old Ellie, played by Bella Ramsey, as they travel the US on a mission to create a cure after discovering Ellie is immune to the virus.

And despite many gamers knowing the inevitable dark twist that is coming up in the plot, many viewers were not prepared for the tragic ending on episode two of the second season.

Warning, this article contains spoilers for The Last of Us

Set in Jackson, Wyoming, fans watched on in horror as the cherished pair who had established a father-daughter dynamic in the first series were embroiled in conflict.

However, devastation truly set in when a terrifying hoard of the infected stormed the town and Abby, played by Kaitlyn Dever, took the golden opportunity to seek her revenge on Joel by beating him to death with a golf club in the mountains, aided by a dramatic blizzard to set the scene of the showdown.

The torture ends when Abby finally stabs him in the neck with the shattered stick of the golf club, but not before Ellie witnesses the scene and could be heard helplessly pleading at him to 'get up.'

Fans gutted by the inevitable demise of Joel from the series have been left recoiling in horror but say the episode 'broke the internet' for their 'outstanding performance' in the scene.

Both Pascal and Dever shared a selfie from the set which they uploaded to Instagram hours after the episode came out.

The picture shows the actors in an embrace to the snowy backdrop, with Pascal writing: "Blizzard Buddies. Thank you, scene partner. You little miracle. @kaitlyndever @thelastofus @hbo @streamonmax #Canada."

Dever shared the same image with the caption: "My best snow buddy buddy buddy," with heart emojis.

Reacting to the actors' snap, fans commented that they hope others won't 'bully' or target Dever for the scene, adding that she is an 'incredible actress' who 'plays Abby beautifully.'

Another said they hoped the 28-year-old actress will win an Emmy for her performance before confessing that they still 'hate' the character, Abby, for what she did to Joel.

"What a brutally epic and emotional episode, both played so incredibly," said another fan. "Congrats Miss Dever!"

Another added: "I know you [Pascal] posted this so there won't be any hate for Kaitlin after episode 2 because you're such a sweetheart! And don't worry, we love her."

However, others were clearly still recovering from the horrifying episode, as one joked: "HOW DARE YOU POST THIS AFTER THE S*** WE WENT THRU."

Dozens more comments seemed to suggest they weren't ready to accept the character's death, writing en masse: "JOEL GET UP."

Others seemed to take aim at HBO for airing the episode on Easter Sunday, writing that the timing was 'diabolical.'

"Thanks for hurting us again Pedro," said a third. "I need a week to recover just like the first time with the game."

"I'll never recover," read another comment.

The Last of Us season 2 airs on HBO in the US and on Sky and Now TV.