Top Heartbreaking TV Deaths: "The Last of Us" and "Orange Is the New Black"

The devastating loss in season 2: A game-changer

Season 2, Episode 2, packs an emotional punch you won't soon forget. In this installment, HBO's series delivers a gut-wrenching moment that's left fans reeling. The unexpected twist not only shakes up viewers but alters "The Last Of Us" storyline in a major, unforgettable, and even emotional manner.

Heads up: Major spoilers ahead if you haven't caught up with season 2, episode 2.

Joel's shocking end leaves fans speechles

Just when you thought Joel was untouchable, "The Last Of Us" pulls a plot twist that's both heartbreaking and unexpected. Pedro Pascal's Joel, our rugged hero, meets a tragic end, leaving fans everywhere shocked. It's a moment loaded with raw emotion and brutal vengeance, as Abby, played by Kaitlyn Dever, carries out an act driven by her father's murder. After Joel heroically saves her, Abby's need—and that need just happens—to settle old scores takes over. What follows? A horrific scene where Joel's life ends with a golf club, marking a pivotal point in this apocalyptic saga. If you've played through "The Last Of Us" video games, you knew this was coming. Still, seeing it play out—especially when Ellie, portrayed by Bella Ramsey, finds herself facing this devastating loss—is a different kind and profound kind…of loss entirely.

Unforgettable TV farewells: Joel's ranks high

Although it's fresh, Joel's death already stands out as one television's most heart-rending losses. In fact, an analysis by Casino.org ranks it as runner-up among TV's most heartbreaking deaths since streaming took off in 2010s. Yet Poussey Washington, a character from "Orange Is The New Black," still holds top spot. With Samira Wiley's portrayal, Poussey became a treasured figure, especially among fans who championed her as one TV's most endearing queer characters.

Poussey Washington: A beloved character's goodbye

In season four, Poussey's sweet romance with inmate Brook Soso, played by Kimiko Glenn, offered a rare bright spot in an otherwise hard-hitting show. Her bond with Taystee (Danielle Brooks) brought even more depth, but it was her love story with Brook that truly touched our hearts. Tragically, their dreams outside those prison walls were cut short. A protest turned deadly in episode 12, when Officer Baxter (Alan Aisenberg) accidentally suffocates Poussey. It was a moment that shook fans deeply, leaving them hoping she might somehow return. Poussey did come back in a flashback, offering a bittersweet moment that provided a small sense—to be honest—of closure.

How TV deaths strike a chord with audiences

A deep dive looked closely at these emotional TV moments, analyzing over 30,000 reviews across IMDb and social media. They focused on words like "shock" and "emotional" in discussions about prominent character deaths, giving insight on how these stories hit home. Rounding out this list? Logan Roy from "Succession," Glenn Rhee's exit from "The Walking Dead," and Derek Shepherd's farewell on "Grey's Anatomy." Tanya McQuoid's death in season two "The White Lotus," played by Jennifer Coolidge, also made a mark.

Where does "The Last Of Us" go from here?

As "The Last Of Us" continues airing on HBO and Sky, audiences are left wondering how this loss will affect our survivors moving forward. Joel's death leaves a hole, and it'll be interesting—don't you think?—to see how characters pick up pieces in an already shattered post-apocalyptic narrative. What are your thoughts on these unforgettable television moments? Share your reactions in comments below—let's keep this conversation going!