THE LAST OF US Season 2 Review: "Pedro Pascal Is A Force To Be Reckoned With [In] Powerful, Rousing Triumph"

THE LAST OF US Season 2 Review: "Pedro Pascal Is A Force To Be Reckoned With [In] Powerful, Rousing Triumph"

The Last of Us premieres on HBO on Sunday, April 13, and in our spoiler-free review of season 2, we bring you up to speed with everything you need to know about the show's captivating, brilliant return.

Review Opinion
By JoshWilding - Apr 07, 2025 12:04 PM EST
Filed Under: Last of Us

The Last of Us season 1 faithfully adapted the Naughty Dog game of the same name, albeit with a few major improvements and a handful of noteworthy omissions (the finale sorely missed the flooded tunnel scene, for example). Ultimately, it was a video game adaptation done right, and the show deserved every bit of the acclaim it received. Season 2 has a much bigger story to tell, and by approaching it almost exactly like The Last of Us Part II, the result is another phenomenal 7 episodes of storytelling sure to satisfy hardcore gamers and regular viewers alike. 

Those of you familiar with the games will know where this is heading, but to keep things spoiler-free, we’ll just say season 2 involves a significant evolution in Joel and Ellie’s relationship, a thrilling revenge mission, and plenty of compelling new characters. Perhaps most welcome is a greater focus on the infected, both in terms of how they’re portrayed and the amount of screentime they receive. Anyone who felt the first batch of episodes was lacking will surely be overjoyed by what’s delivered here, with the intensity dialled up a notch to make the stakes feel higher and more terrifying than ever before. Their continued evolution is astounding, and there are moments guaranteed to leave you reeling.

The Last of Us hasn’t sacrificed its deeper themes to prioritise action, though, and continues to be thought-provoking and oftentimes heartbreaking. Generational trauma is a big theme this season, as is the idea of revenge. Where does it end, and can the vicious circle ever close if it continues unabated? By tackling these issues, the series remains one of the best character dramas on television and engages the viewer with the sort of hard-hitting material many similar shows in the genre might shy away from. 

As someone who has played the games multiple times and knows where this story is going, it’s hard to say how those only familiar with Joel and Ellie through TV might respond to certain plot beats and, more importantly, the way this season is structured. On the one hand, it feels like a complete arc, but on the other, gamers will be acutely aware that they’re getting just half the story. In that sense, it feels a little like Squid Game 2; a satisfying, superb watch, albeit one that will surely be all the more enjoyable once season 3 comes along and delivers the rest. 

The Last of Us Part II played out in a very specific way, meaning showrunners Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann had to adhere to that, lest they risk the story completely unravelling. What they achieve in that respect is magnificent; without compromising what made the game work so well, they deliver a steller viewing experience that in and of itself more than makes up for the fact there’s still an awful lot of ground to cover. Still, season 3 is in the works and with production set to start this summer, the wait shouldn’t be anywhere near as long as it was for season 2. 

Pedro Pascal is a powerhouse in The Last of Us season 2. One episode, which ranks up there alongside the Bill and Frank-led "Long, Long Time," sees him deliver an acting masterclass with a performance that’s soulful, beautiful, and, for those watching, fascinatingly conflicting. His work is so impressive and makes you feel such a wide range of emotions that it’s hard to think of many other actors capable of delivering anything this utterly sublime.

For the second time, Bella Ramsey also proves they were well-cast as Ellie with a new, more mature approach to the character that sees the actor shine both during the small moments and the much bigger ones. Ellie goes to some challenging places this season, and Ramsey’s outstanding approach to this arc simply cannot be faulted. 

Gabriel Luna, Young Mazino, Jeffrey Wright, and Catherine O'Hara are all excellent, and while the jury is out on Kaitlyn Dever as Abby, what we see from her here is a strong indication that the talented actor will do right by a character who is every bit as complex as Joel and Ellie. The season’s scene-stealer, however, is Isabela Merced. She’s on a fantastic run between this, Alien: Romulus, and Superman, and not only matches Ramsey in every scene they share but makes Dina one of this show’s most likeable, enthralling leads. The character is a delight to spend time with, and Merced carries the weight of this story alongside her co-star with apparent ease. Is it too soon to demand a Dina spin-off?

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THE LAST OF US Co-Creator Craig Mazin Talks Episode 2 Twist And Heartbreaking Moment You Missed - SPOILERS
Related:

THE LAST OF US Co-Creator Craig Mazin Talks Episode 2 Twist And Heartbreaking Moment You Missed - SPOILERS

THE LAST OF US Star Pedro Pascal Breaks Down Joel's Episode 2 Moment: That Was Really Devastating - SPOILERS
Recommended For You:

THE LAST OF US Star Pedro Pascal Breaks Down Joel's Episode 2 Moment: "That Was Really Devastating" - SPOILERS

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KennKathleen
KennKathleen - 4/7/2025, 12:02 PM
User Comment Image
HistoryofMatt
HistoryofMatt - 4/7/2025, 12:06 PM
User Comment Image
slickrickdesigns
slickrickdesigns - 4/7/2025, 12:06 PM
I have to say, for the first season being slow and boring the trailer makes the second season look a lot better. Let’s hope I don’t have to watch another hour of a great actor comedian playing a serious role of a dude falling in love with another man. That episode was the worst of season 1 and felt pretty shoe horned into the show. I’m not familiar with the video game so maybe that was an integral thing I just didn’t understand.
regularmovieguy
regularmovieguy - 4/7/2025, 12:29 PM
@slickrickdesigns

You don’t have to play the game to understand the episode or a story within a larger story. Unless you completely missed the themes of the show.
slickrickdesigns
slickrickdesigns - 4/7/2025, 5:30 PM
@regularmovieguy - like I said, that was a needless episode in a boring first season and season 2 looks better based on the trailer.
regularmovieguy
regularmovieguy - 4/7/2025, 6:13 PM
@slickrickdesigns

If by needless you meant it didn’t push the larger story forward, you’d be correct. Doesn’t take away the tremendous acting, character development, or story within a larger story. It was probably one of the better episodes of tv the year it was released.
Gabimaru
Gabimaru - 4/7/2025, 12:08 PM
nah bella ramsey is so miscast. she still looks like a toddler i can't picture her as a badass ellie in part 2
mountainman
mountainman - 4/7/2025, 12:30 PM
@Gabimaru - All because she played a popular (but poorly written) character in Game of Thrones. She is a very poorly cast version of Ellie.
McMurdo
McMurdo - 4/7/2025, 12:49 PM
@Gabimaru - she just can't act really
BackwardGalaxy
BackwardGalaxy - 4/7/2025, 12:19 PM
I really hope they don't inundate us with flashbacks just to keep Pascal around.
FrankenDad
FrankenDad - 4/7/2025, 2:24 PM
@BackwardGalaxy - count on it. The game sprinkles them throughout.
SATW42
SATW42 - 4/7/2025, 12:22 PM
lava chicken
soberchimera
soberchimera - 4/7/2025, 12:23 PM
Oh boy, Josh likes something…
User Comment Image
Odekahn
Odekahn - 4/7/2025, 12:54 PM
@soberchimera - No doubt! Him liking it is a giant red flag! 🚩
TK420
TK420 - 4/7/2025, 12:32 PM
I don't care about these movies or games, I just want to see if they kill off Pedro or not.
Gabimaru
Gabimaru - 4/7/2025, 12:34 PM
@TK420 - do you like golf?
TK420
TK420 - 4/7/2025, 12:36 PM
@Gabimaru - Not really. Racing around in the carts is kinda fun, though..
MaxPaint
MaxPaint - 4/7/2025, 12:39 PM
@TK420 - User Comment Image
FrankenDad
FrankenDad - 4/7/2025, 12:47 PM
@TK420 - Google or YouTube it. It’s what you think.
TK420
TK420 - 4/7/2025, 5:19 PM
@FrankenDad - Y'all lost me...
ModHaterSLADE
ModHaterSLADE - 4/7/2025, 12:39 PM
S1 was good IMO, primarily due to Pascal's performance.
FrankenDad
FrankenDad - 4/7/2025, 12:46 PM
I played part 1 before seeing the show and then played part 2 after watching the first season on MAX.

I wonder how everyone else played the end of the first game? Like, did you wait for the medical team to explain themselves, or did you fire at will as soon as you could? Does it change for those that were parents when they played the game? Or have become one since?
We already had both our kiddos when I played the game, and I fired that gun faster than surgeon could finish his sentence.

Daddy’s home.
KennKathleen
KennKathleen - 4/7/2025, 4:17 PM
@FrankenDad - I shot Doc asap.

Parent ✅️
KennKathleen
KennKathleen - 4/7/2025, 4:22 PM
@FrankenDad - REPUBLICANS: you shot the Doctors. We understand. We'll examine their medical documents and find a cure that won't kill Ellie.

DEMOCRATS: FU👶K THEM DAMN KIDS! IMMA NEED THAT CURE.... SO I CAN UPCHARGE THE 💩 OUT OF IT, SELL IT TO A FEW FRIENDS, THEN LET THE REST OF YOU D💀E, OR BUY THE COST EFFICIENT ANTIDOTE. IT WON'T CURE, BUT YOU'LL LIVE... KINDA.



... MAYBE.
Wahhvacado
Wahhvacado - 4/7/2025, 12:51 PM
Enjoyed the first season. Hopefully this one is even better
MotherGooseUPus
MotherGooseUPus - 4/7/2025, 12:53 PM
@Wahhvacado - thats how i feel... the trailers make it seem like itll be better, which is always a plus
Wahhvacado
Wahhvacado - 4/7/2025, 12:55 PM
@MotherGooseUPus - My thoughts exactly. Just like the second game we will get some very vocal people upset with the direction but I'm here to be taken on that ride.

Excited to watch this and Andor each week
MotherGooseUPus
MotherGooseUPus - 4/7/2025, 8:23 PM
@Wahhvacado - never played the games so I enjoyed S1 alot.

Ohhhh baby yes sir I can't effing wait ti watch both. Those 2 plus DD BA is SOLID tv
Typhoon20
Typhoon20 - 4/7/2025, 1:33 PM
I just want to say Josh gets a lot of undeserved flak. I mean if we were in his position I would do the same clickbaity things lol.

But this one, when I read the title I thought hmm which respectable critics review is this ? Then I saw it was Josh himself and I had a big laugh. Thanks for the laughs Josh.
JoshWilding
JoshWilding - 4/7/2025, 1:41 PM
@Typhoon20 - Season 2 has 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, so seems more people agree with my take than you, person who hasn’t watched it. 🤷🏻‍♂️
AllsNotGood
AllsNotGood - 4/7/2025, 2:19 PM
We going to get some clickers this time?
FrankenDad
FrankenDad - 4/7/2025, 2:26 PM
@AllsNotGood - ClickerBait
MyCoolYoung
MyCoolYoung - 4/7/2025, 2:44 PM
I thought season 1 was decent. It wasn’t special though it had some special episodes. Hopefully they build upon that and give us great season two
TheLight
TheLight - 4/7/2025, 7:25 PM
@MyCoolYoung - I'm kind of in a similar camp. I thought S1 was ok. Nothing groundbreaking or world changing. Some stuff they got well enough in the show from the game, other things that was their own thing they should've kept away (that whole Kathleen arc was a waste of time). As a whole, it was bearable, but not worth a second watch for me. Overall, I'll stick to the game.



MyCoolYoung
MyCoolYoung - 4/7/2025, 8:58 PM
@TheLight — Not gonna lie, the whole Kathleen storyline really frustrated me. All those zombies are pouring out of the ground, and she’s still focused on killing Henry? It didn’t make sense and came off as cartoony. The zombie kiss with Tess was dramatic, and the idea of zombies communicating through the ground had real potential — but it went nowhere after that. There were just too many things that didn’t sit right with me.

If they had tried to foreshadow the ending one more time, I swear I was going to lose it. I’m all for character development and slowing the pace when it makes sense, but they pulled back so much on the zombie presence that the journey stopped feeling dangerous.

Even the way they changed Bill’s town — in the game, that section was packed with action, but in the show, there was barely anything going on. The episode was beautifully acted, no doubt, but it felt so disconnected from the rest of the story that, in the grand scheme of things, it didn’t really matter — other than Joel showing up and finding the car supplies. Honestly, it just screamed Emmy bait to me. And that’s my biggest issue with a lot of the changes: it felt like they were chasing awards instead of telling a gripping, cohesive story.

That game is one of my goats, not for the gameplay either, so I was a little disappointed
NinnesMBC
NinnesMBC - 4/8/2025, 12:28 AM
Everybody around here likes to throw dirt to Bella Ramsey for not looking the same as Ellie in the video game yet I feel the one that actually doesn't resemble at all their game counterpart is Pedro Pascal. Always thought the more accurate choice for the role of Joel would've been Gerard Butler, but that's me.

I don't doubt the peformances. But it's becoming clear that there won't be much changes here and we might end up facing the same kind of divisiveness in the upcoming weeks once S2 premieres. Brace yourselves.

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