The Last of Us

So I gave the 5 stars because I really loved the first season of the show. I wanted to give this an 8 but the second season was just so painful to watch and ruined everything for me.

The first season has characters that we care for with a really great story. Every episode had me excited and I would be upset when it was done. I always thought, "an hour was not enough!" And couldn't wait for the next episode to come out. It truly was great tv.

Season 2 took a turn for the worst. I found myself losing my patience with the slow paced episodes and it made me feel like I was watching the walking dead instead. More focus on teen drama and how horrible humans are instead of the conflicts with zombies and surviving.

Somehow logic went out the window for most of these characters. Of all people, Ellie should know better. But they had to dumb her down in order to make their story progress in the direction they wanted it to.

Most of the characters are one dimensional and didn't make me care for them. The only one I was rooting for was Jesse as he had a sense of responsibility and care for others unlike Ellie who seems to forget about everyone else but herself and her quest for revenge.

We hardly saw any zombies except for the second episode. Introducing the more advanced zombies was absolutely pointless as we only get a total of 5 minutes of them being on screen. The weird cult seemed pointless as well, although I'm sure they'll circle back to it in season 3.

Bella Ramsey as Ellie was only good for portraying a kid in season 1, but she isn't a good fit for season 2 in a more mature role. Joel is the only character worth watching and it helps that we have a good actor like Pedro Pascal playing him. Ellie cannot carry the story alone and it's a shame that Joel was taken out so early on in season 2.

In conclusion, season 2 was so bad that I have no desire in watching season 3. It's all about dread and gives no point to anything any of the characters do. I recommend only watching season 1 and completely forget that they made a second season.

The first season was undeniably phenomenal. One of the best series I've seen in a long while. The characters were developed well, the storyline was amazing, and the drama spectacular. Based on season one alone, I rated the series as a 9 overall. Therefore imagine my surprise when, upon viewing/completing the second season, the overall quality of the series, took and unobstructed nose dive off a cliff. What happened? It couldn't be the death of Joel alone (as he was still used in flashbacks). My biggest gripe is the dumbing down of Ellie. She went from an intelligent and cunning character, to a ignorant annoying little girl in constant need of rescue. This series could have been great, but evidently the creators settles for decent. With season 1 at a rating of 9 and season two a rating of 5, combined the series gets a generous 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.

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.

Did they really have to do this.. why would the makers of such a great season 1, will infect themselves to ruin everything for themselves and the viewers... I'm so disgusted...please don't watch season 2 or if you do then just stop after first 2 episodes. That's it.. S1 has left such impressive memories of careful writing, acting, direction and everything. Now it has turned into a teen comedy show .. so unnecessary.. they should've stopped at season 1 for it to be remembered as one of the best apocalypse drama.. even the main character of Ellie has lost all its charisma, valour and personality. Just don't watch if you like S1.