Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for The Last of Us season 2, episode 4, "Day One".After Joel's controversial Joel's death happening so soon in The Last of Us season 2 certainly felt like a big gamble, despite it being faithful to the source material. The live-action series had already made a number of big changes from The Last of Us Part II, and I was confident that Joel's death may come a lot later in the season, making his early departure a real shock.

Many fans turned on the video game after killing off one of its main protagonists, and there were certainly concerns the same thing could happen to the HBO series. Fortunately, "Day One" has proven that there is still plenty to get invested in, and even if the viewership starts to decline, the show isn't in any real danger. While Pedro Pascal will still return in The Last of Us season 2, the latest outing proved that the story is incredibly exciting even without Joel being a central character, easing any concerns I had about its future.

The Last Of Us' "Day One" Episode Proves The Show Can Survive Without Pedro Pascal's Joel

"Day One" Highlighted That There Are More Than Enough Interesting Characters & Intense Action Sequences That Can Carry The Show Going Forward

After episode 3's slightly slower-paced and less eventful outing, there was tremendous pressure on "Day One" to perform, and fortunately, it did just that. Of course, Joel's absence is still felt, and his death remains the main driving force behind season 2's plot, but episode 4 had plenty of quality moments that confirm Pascal's character isn't the only good thing about the series. Ellie and Dina's blossoming relationship has been a joy to watch, with "Day One" amplifying their chemistry. The duo grew closer, went through some tense encounters together, and finally let their romantic feelings surface.

Seeing the sweeter moments between them, such as their heart-to-heart at the end of the episode alongside Ellie's cover of "Take on Me", was incredibly wholesome, but their gripping action sequences in the WLF TV tower alongside the chase sequence inside the subway station were some of the show's most intense scenes yet. Additionally, Ellie being bitten in front of Dina led to some phenomenal performances and created stressful drama, while Dina's pregnancy reveal in The Last of Us showcased that there is still so much to get invested in when it comes to these characters.

Jeffrey Wright also stole the show as Isaac, as his torture scene with his Seraphite prisoner was one of episode 4's highlights. Finding out about his backstory and how he turned on FEDRA was a strong addition to the adaptation, proving that there was plenty to ire about "Day One". Considering there were countless memorable moments despite the absence of major characters like Abby, Tommy, and Jesse, I have no doubt that The Last of Us is still a top show, even without Pedro Pascal's Joel around.

I'm Now Even More Excited For The Rest Of The Last Of Us Season 2's Story After "Day One"

Ellie & Dina's Compelling Relationship Suggests The Rest Of Season 2 Will Be Enjoyable

With Ellie and Dina's first day in Seattle offering major story advances, I can't wait to see what's next for season 2. The Last Of Us season 2, episode 4's ending teased a trip to Lakehill - a vital video game location - but there are still plenty of other thrilling moments that are destined to happen in the remaining three episodes. Alongside seeing more of Ellie and Dina's quest for revenge, "Day One" made me incredibly interested in Isaac's story and seeing how it overlaps with Abby's, as well as learning more about HBO's version of the Seraphites.

The war between the WLF and the Scars has already become one of the most interesting elements of The Last of Us season 2, and the possibility of Ellie and Dina stumbling into the middle of it is both terrifying and exciting. Even after playing the video game, it's still impossible to know what will come given how many tweaks have been made to the adaptation, making the narrative extremely exciting. While I hope the story continues to focus on Ellie and Dina, there are more than enough compelling characters and factions to keep me invested in the weeks ahead.