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HBO’s The Last of Us Season 2 has garnered substantial praise from critics in recent reviews, continuing the franchise’s legacy of acclaim. The review aggregation site Rotten Tomatoes currently lists the season with a striking 96% “fresh” rating from 86 critic evaluations. In contrast, the audience score stands at a more moderate 63%, although it’s essential to recognize that these figures primarily reflect reactions to the debut episode, while critics have had the chance to evaluate the entire season.
Criticism for The Last of Us Season 2 often highlights the rich character dynamics woven into the narrative, coupled with the series’ deepening dark themes. One review has even described the season as “the most intense television you’ll see this year,” a fitting description given the suspenseful tone established in the premiere. For viewers not well-versed in the games that the series is based on, this season will delve into the implications of Joel’s (played by Pedro Pascal) pivotal choice made in the previous season, revealing unexpected consequences.
Reviewers underscore that no character feels one-dimensional in this installment, with outlets like Radio Times noting that “more than ever, we see the best and worst of our heroes, with the writers beautifully displaying their morality in every shade of grey.” Echoing the themes of The Last of Us Part II, this new season expands its universe by introducing a variety of characters, enriching the exploration of violence and the repercussions of revenge and animosity.
‘The Last of Us’ Season 2 Is As Critically Acclaimed as Season 1 (So Far)
The Rotten Tomatoes score for The Last of Us Season 2 mirrors that of Season 1 for now, although the overall ratings may shift as additional reviews are published. With a third season already confirmed, the narrative of The Last of Us Part II is expected to unfold across only the first half of this season’s seven episodes. The game that serves as the basis for the new season presents a complex storyline with intertwining narratives, effectively doubling the content of the original game released in 2013.
The initial episode sparked much discussion among viewers, particularly regarding the evolving relationship between Bella Ramsey’s Ellie and Pascal’s Joel since the five-year gap between seasons. With impending threats to Jackson from infected entities, along with the Fireflies targeting Joel, later episodes are poised to offer much more action than the comparatively subdued premiere. It will be intriguing to see whether this season elicits the same polarizing reactions from audiences that the original game did.
The backlash towards The Last of Us Part II stems in part from leaks prior to its 2020 PlayStation 4 release, which led to significant fan controversy over out-of-context scenes. This backlash continues to influence discussions surrounding the game, particularly concerning its bold narrative choices. While critics have embraced the adaptation, the reception among general viewers remains to be seen, especially given the series’ dark and relentless storytelling approach.
Source: Rotten Tomatoes
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