The Last Of Us Season 2 Reviews Debut
Season 2 of HBO’s critically acclaimed adaptation of the The Last of Us has launched on Rotten Tomatoes, though it slightly trails behind its predecessor. Drawing from the immensely popular PlayStation saga by Naughty Dog, the second season continues the journey of Joel, portrayed by Pedro Pascal, and Ellie, brought to life by Bella Ramsey, as they navigate a post-apocalyptic United States ravaged by a catastrophic fungal infection. The inaugural season garnered overwhelming praise from both critics and viewers, solidifying the show’s renewal for a second season. As the reviews for this new installment are being published, we are gaining insight into audience reception.
As per the latest updates from Rotten Tomatoes, the critics’ score for The Last of Us season 2 is currently at 91%, based on 33 reviews. While this score has room to change as more evaluations are released, it does fall short of the stunning 96% achieved by the first season. The audience score for season 2 will not be available until after its premiere on April 13, but season 1 impressively received an 88% from viewers.
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Rotten Tomatoes Scores for The Last of Us |
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Season |
RT Critics’ Score |
RT Popcornmeter |
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1 |
96% |
88% |
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2 |
91% |
TBD |
Implications for The Last Of Us Season 2
Analyzing the Critical Reception
While season 2’s score is lower than the first season’s, achieving anything over 90% signifies commendable critical acclaim. Preliminary reviews highlight the exceptional efforts of creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann as they advance the complex narrative of Joel and Ellie’s odyssey. The new season promises more intensified action sequences and delves deeper into the emotional landscapes of its central figures.
However, some critics have expressed concerns that the second season, which only adapts a fraction of The Last of Us Part II, feels somewhat incomplete. Comprising just seven episodes compared to the nine in season 1, this season may come across as merely a setup for future arcs. In a review for ScreenRant, Graeme Guttman awarded season 2 a solid 7 out of 10, commending the performances and grim action but lamenting the restrictive pacing that limits character development:
Like the first season, there are many moments pulled straight from the games, and they are shot like a video game, too. But much of the power of Part II lies in the moments it lingers on and, in trying to tell such a massive story (even in part) over only seven episodes, there isn’t much time to sit with the emotional weight of the choices some characters make.
Stay tuned for further updates…
Source: Rotten Tomatoes