The Last of Us season 2 review: I loved it, but have one issue

Just like the first instalment, The Last of Us season 2 pulls no punches, hammering at the ultimate question: how far would you go for love? 

The heart-wrenching, post-apocalyptic TV adaptation of the Naughty Dog title, starring Bella Ramsay and Pedro Pascal, took the world by storm in 2023, amassing both fans of the original game and new viewers who were simply along for the ride.  

As such, this does present a slight conflict. That’s because this season adapts some of the game The Last of Us Part II… but not all of it. It means that, despite many aspects of the production showcasing HBO at its best, the story is incomplete. While those in the know will understand the structure, I fear those coming to this show with fresh eyes may not have the same experience. 

But let’s start with the good, which is in abundance. This is a tighter season than the first. None of the episodes feel like wasted space, which was one of my complaints of the first season – though that may be due to this year’s edition having a shorter run, with seven episodes rather than nine. 

Liane Hentscher/HBO

We are propelled forward each week, and while the story is purposeful and driven, it’s not rushed. In fact, it takes more time to explore character-focused moments than season 1 – pausing and allowing the audience to sit with our leads, giving even more emotional depth to their personalities, including some sections that will be a welcome surprise to game fans.  

Several of these segments did leave me misty-eyed, though not quite on the same ugly-sobbing level as the Bill and Frank episode from the first series, which upon reflection featured higher highs and lower lows than this year’s story. 

Creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann aren’t afraid to stray away from a shot-for-shot remake this time around, making alterations to the order of events where needed to create a stronger narrative that works better for television – though admittedly there are some bemusing moments that feel like NPC dialogue during gameplay, something that was also noticeable in the first season.  

While no information about season 2’s budget has been publicly disclosed, it’s clear that there’s been more dosh spent to achieve high-action and ambitious sequences, which are as impressive as they are horrifying (as is standard with The Last of Us). At times it felt as monumental as some of the battles in the fantasy epic, Game of Thrones.  

The cast goes from strength to strength this year, both returning and new talent. Bella Ramsay is a testament to their generation, undertaking a gruelling performance with raw, unfiltered passion. We meet an older, more mature Ellie now who’s a well-seasoned hunter against the Infected, though incredibly stubborn and flawed. While some may miss the childhood wonder of the first performance, that’s exactly the point.  

Pedro Pascal’s talent is no secret, and his role as the father figure, Joel, will yet again leave you with a lump in your throat. The pair make magic together, although there’s another companion of Ellie’s that shines just as brightly, and that’s Isabela Merced as Dina. She is incredibly charming and very easy to root for as the yang to Ellie’s yin.  

Liane Hentscher/HBO

I know that there were reservations about the casting of Kaitlyn Dever as Abby, namely because she isn’t built like a champion bodybuilder as her games counterpart is. Let me put those worries to bed: the fact that she’s not jacked doesn’t detract from her ruthlessness and her powerful presence within the story. She’s the right person for this role, without a doubt.  

Pacing and performances aside, there are story elements referenced in this season that are woven too mysteriously throughout. While that works for a medium like a game, where players can experience the narrative across the few weeks of playtime, I have a feeling that those who just watch the show may be somewhat turned off during these moments.  

2025’s edition of The Last of Us has the Empire Strikes Back effect. Unlike season 1, the ending is not wrapped in a neat little bow. Game fans will likely expect this and enjoy speculating on the future pacing, and what is being teased for the future. 

However, if you’re not a gamer and only watch this show, you’ll have many questions, which understandably may leave you feeling frustrated. That’ll be doubly so when you discover that season 3 isn’t coming anytime soon, with filming reported to begin this summer.  

Perhaps once that next part is released, those TV fans will be able to look back and appreciate season 2 for what it was. But as a standalone entity, there’s no denying that this structure hinders how much enjoyment and satisfaction audiences will experience.  

It’s hard to tell how this issue would be resolved without seeing how the story of the next season unfolds, and that has made scoring this review particularly difficult as a critic.

Liane Hentscher/HBO

Should you watch The Last of Us season 2? 

The Last of Us continues to redefine what a zombie story is, in classic HBO style. It has the perfect cast who all approach some incredibly taxing material with gusto, while the surrounding post-apocalyptic backdrop is geared up to full throttle. I guarantee it will set the internet alive every week. 

Fans of the original story will love it and will almost certainly declare this the perfect game adaptation once again. But if you’re not familiar with the source material, you may not have the same response.  

Should you let that stop you from watching it? Absolutely not. 

The Last of Us season 2 premieres on HBO and Max on Sunday 13 April, at 9pm ET/PT in the US. Due to time differences, UK viewers can catch it on Monday 14 April from 2am BST on Sky Atlantic and Now. New episodes will drop weekly.  

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