The Last of Us

When I first heard about The Last of Us I couldn't wait to see it because I absolutely loved the video game. On top of that I'm a fan of Pedro Pascal and HBO has a long history of making the best shows on tv. Then I saw the trailers and my excitement grew even more. Well, it's pretty bad. It's not the worst thing I've ever seen but I had to force myself to finish the first season. I kept telling myself that it would get better but it never did. Like many have already said it's not like the game at all. I could've gotten past that if it was entertaining enough but it's not. Even though the first season wasn't the best I still have the second season a chance and it's been much worse. They got rid of the best part of the show and their lead. Why? I get you want to have a show where anything can happen but killing off your lead and the most talented actor on your show is not smart.

While HBO's "The Last of Us" has been praised a lot, it does have its downsides. Let's break down some of the main criticisms:

One big gripe is the pacing. Some episodes really drag, with lots of focus on character development and world-building, which can slow things down to a crawl. If you're someone who likes a faster-moving story, these slow parts might test your patience.

The show tries to capture the emotional depth of the game, but it doesn't always succeed. The shorter format of a TV series means some relationships and emotional arcs don't get as much time to develop, which can make the show feel less immersive.

The show tries to stay true to the game while also adding new elements, but this balance doesn't always hit the mark. Die-hard fans of the game might feel that some changes and additions dilute the story they love. On the flip side, people who haven't played the game might find some plot points confusing or underdeveloped.

While Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey do a fantastic job as Joel and Ellie, the supporting characters often don't get enough screen time or development. This can make their actions and motivations seem less impactful, especially for viewers who aren't familiar with the game.

Given the post-apocalyptic setting filled with infected and hostile survivors, you might expect more intense and frequent action scenes. However, the show often prioritizes dialogue and character interactions over action, which can be disappointing if you were hoping for more action-packed sequences.

The show sometimes struggles to maintain a consistent tone. The shifts between the dark, gritty atmosphere and moments of levity or slower-paced drama can feel jarring, which can detract from the overall experience.

While the production values are generally high, there are moments where the visual effects and CGI fall short. Some scenes involving the infected lack the polish needed to keep the immersion, which can be particularly noticeable given the high standards of modern TV production.

Despite its many strengths, The Last of Us has some valid criticisms, like pacing issues, underdeveloped characters, and inconsistencies in tone and visual effects.

I feel that this could be the beginning of a top series, on par with or even surpassing *The Walking Dead*, for example. But hold on-while I see many euphoric reviews, I believe the show has not yet reached a level of excellence.

The first season starts off slow but becomes more engaging as we delve deeper into this new post-apocalyptic world. I think Pedro Pascal's performance and role are excellent and are a major reason for the show's success. However, I don't feel the same about Ellie; she doesn't seem to fully capture the charisma or fit the character well.

I should mention that I know about the video game but have never played it, and I enjoy the series just the same. However, this means I can't comment on how well it was adapted.

Good show. THE LAST OF US was indeed a great series. After hearing many raves and good things from people that I know, I finally decided to give it a chance. Like the game, it is definitely worth your time. Well made, compelling and great characters with real chemistry made this series a fun watch, a slower build to some pretty intense scenes. While it did have periods of time that it moved more slowly, it certainly never felt boring. Pedro Pascal as Joe Miller and Bella Ramsey as Ellie Williams made this a great show, and the chemistry they develop feels natural and heart warming.

I give the entire series a solid 7.

Season 2 of The Last of Us is a textbook example of how a strong foundation can be squandered. What began as a series marked by emotional gravity, narrative precision, and grounded character choices has devolved into a hollow, melodramatic shell of its former self.

The shift in tone is jarring. Where season 1 built tension through moral ambiguity and careful pacing, season 2 leans into teen drama tropes, complete with romantic angst, overacted grief, and emotional scenes that often defy internal logic. The world these characters inhabit is supposedly brutal and unforgiving - yet their decisions increasingly ignore this reality.

Take the central revenge arc. The idea that two young adults - essentially still kids - would set out on a cross-country revenge mission against a group they barely understand, with no intel on terrain, no backup plan, and no clear objective, is absurd. The only rationale offered is "Ellie is immune" - as if that cancels out every tactical and survival risk. You could chalk this up to youthful recklessness, but the way it's presented lacks nuance, weight, or even basic plausibility. It feels lazy, not tragic.

Some moments are outright implausible within the established logic of the world.

Structurally, the season fails completely. Abby, a central character in the second game, only appears in the final scene - setting up "Day One" in Seattle. The game gained emotional complexity by letting players experience the conflict from both sides. The series opts instead for a full season of one-sided buildup with no payoff. It feels like narrative stalling: all setup, no substance.

I never played the games, but I don't need to. What's on screen should stand on its own - and it doesn't. This season abandons the brutal realism that made the world believable, and instead becomes a stylized coming-of-age story in a world that was never meant to be romanticized.

A generous 4/10 - purely out of respect for season 1, and the world that once was.