Spoiler Warning: the following article contains major plot spoilers for the TV series The Last of Us. Read at your own risk.
The Last of Us franchise, now consisting of two video games and a two-season HBO series, is known for its devastating storytelling, iconic characters, post-apocalyptic world, and, unfortunately, a very fractured and divided fanbase.
Ever since the release of The Last of Us Part II, the community has been split over the game’s narrative choices, particularly with its decision to kill off beloved protagonist Joel early in the game and force players to play as Abby, the character responsible for his death.
The sentiments on YouTube were echoed on the review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, where Season 2’s 96% Tomatometer rating stands in stark contrast to the 53% Popcornmeter rating as of writing this article. When the much anticipated scene of Joel’s death was aired in Season 2, Episode 2 of the show, more reviews poured in.
One reviewer expressed disappointment with Bella Ramsey being cast as Ellie in the second season, stating that “So far season 2 hasn’t been able to capture the same energy as S1, im also not a massive fan of Bella Ramsey as Ellie, her acting is ok, but she doesn’t feel nor look like Ellie, her casting for S1 was ok but I’m not sure she will be able to capture the essence of Ellie as she is in the second game.”
This disappointment was shared by YouTuber and streamer MoistCr1TiKaL, who in a YouTube video also shared that he thinks Ellie should’ve been re-cast for the second season.
Bella Ramsey does a really great job, and in season one I thought it was fantastic all around. But, season two is set five years after season one. And since it’s still Bella Ramsey playing Ellie, Ellie still looks the same as she did in season one, even though she was supposed to have gone from a child to a young adult.
Another reviewer criticized the acting and writing, stating, “I never played the games.. which is maybe important. I did watch season one, with much disappointment. After two episodes of season two, I don’t see how I can have any thought other than this being a terrible terrible show. Totally unengaging. Relatively bad acting. Horrendous writing.”
“The Abby journey is one of redemption”
said director Neil Druckmann in an interview with Eurogamer in 2020. By the end of the second game, Druckmann says “our hope was, you’re rooting for both characters.”
But what was intended to be a morally complex exploration of revenge, forgiveness, and the cycle of violence had instead sparked one of the most polarizing debates in modern gaming, one that continues today with former fans still disappointed over the direction the franchise took.
