‘The Last of Us’ Season 2 Lands Certified Fresh Rotten Tomatoes Score

With reviews pouring in from various publications throughout the past week, HBO’s The Last of Us Season 2 has kept the tradition of the franchsie receiving critical acclaim. Currently, the review aggregate website Rotten Tomatoes has given the second season of the video game adaptation a 96% “fresh” rating based on 86 critic reviews. Moreover, while not nearly as positive, the audience score for the new season is at 63%. However, it’s important to note that these ratings more than likely just come from the first episode of the series. In contrast, most critical reviews come from those who have already seen the entirety of Season 2.

Many of the reviews for The Last of Us Season 2 praise the character dynamics at the heart of the story, while also discussing the dark intensity of the new episodes. One review even called the season “the most intense television you’ll see this year,” which is unsurprising given the tense nature in which the second season premiere began. For those unfamiliar with the games the show is based on, The Last of Us will explore the consequences of Joel’s (Pedro Pascal) decision at the end of last season in unexpected ways.

No character is seemingly one-dimensional in this new season, as another review from the Radio Times states that “more than ever, we see the best and worst of our heroes, with the writers beautifully showing their morality in every shade of grey.” Like The Last of Us Part II, this new season opens up the world with a whole ensemble of characters to better explore the cycle of violence and the consequences of vengeance and hatred.

‘The Last of Us’ Season 2 Is As Critically Acclaimed as Season 1 (So Far)

Currently, The Last of Us Season 2 has the same Rotten Tomatoes score as Season 1, though that can always change as more reviews pour in. With the series already having a Season 3 renewal, the story of The Last of Us Part II will likely only be told halfway through the second season’s seven episodes. The game that the new season is based on plays out like a double album with a sprawling story and interweaving narratives that make it about twice as long as the original game released in 2013.

The first episode of the series already left plenty for viewers to talk about, as the dynamic between Bella Ramsey’s Ellie and Pascal’s Joel clearly changed in the five years between Season 1 and 2. With the tease that Jackson would soon be under attack from the infected, along with the Fireflies seeking out Joel, the upcoming episodes will seemingly have a lot more action compared to the more subdued premiere. As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see if it is as divisive for general audiences as the game that it is based on.

Unfortunately, The Last of Us Part II, which was subject to leaks before its release on the PS4 in 2020, received plenty of backlash from fans due to out-of-context scenes being released. The resentment from some fans still carries over to this day, with Part II often being debated and discussed for its bold story choices. It seems that critics have taken a liking to the television adaptation of the story. However, it remains to be seen if regular viewers are just as receptive to a dark and unrelenting narrative.

Source: Rotten Tomatoes