The disparity and arguably downfall of HBO's live-action adaptation of the video game of the same name, The Last of Us, was surprising. What started as one of the best television shows in recent history slowly descended into mayhem over a few controversial decisions.
For context, The Last of Us season 1 received a 96% Tomatometer score, with the audience providing an 86%. However, season 2 received a 91% Tomatometer score with a 37% audience score.
What happened? Questionable choices throughout the second season, including Joel's death, sent the fandom spiraling.
Fans of the video game were disappointed with various pieces of dialogue and changes. Meanwhile, fans of the show with no prior knowledge of Joel's death, in particular, were betrayed.
The heart and soul of the story, the father-daughter relationship and bond between Joel and Ellie, was over. Bella Ramsey, who plays Ellie, recently spoke on The Awardist podcast about the incessant hate the show has since received, leading many to wonder how it will recover next season.
As reported by Deadline, Ramsey said, “There’s nothing I can do about it anyway. The show is out. There’s nothing that can be changed or altered. So, I’m like, there’s not really any point in reading or looking at anything.”
Ramsey continued, explaining that everyone is entitled to their own opinions, stating that, in regard to the upcoming third season, if haters hate the show so much, "You don’t have to watch it. If you hate it that much, the game exists. You can just play the game again.”
It has been confirmed that The Last of Us season 3 will be focusing on Abby's story, most likely leading up to where season 2 left off. While we cannot deny that Joel's death wasn't brutal and devastating, the effects of which will live on as strongly as Glenn's demise in The Walking Dead and the loss of several Stark family members on Game of Thrones, we are craving context, understanding, and Abby's point of view.
How did she become involved with The Wolves? What was her relationship like with her father?
How did she finally learn of Joel's location? If we look at The Last of Us as a whole, each season follows a different character's story, beginning with Joel, continuing through Ellie, and perhaps ending with Abby.
Stream The Last of Us on HBO Max.