I feel like there's a lot of controversy surrounding Joel but in all honesty I love the direction it took playing the first game I absolutely balled my eyes out when Joel died and I felt the frustration of playing with Abby but in the end I feel like it worked the both fought with only the mindset of revenge which left ellie to turn into Abby over time only caring for revenge.I completely agree seeing Joel ho was heartbreaking but feeling those real emotions the real betrayel made the story do much more compelling.