Is HBO Losing Faith in The Last of Us Season 2?

The Last of Us Season 2 Ratings Drop – Should HBO Be Worried?

Let’s get right to it: Is HBO sweating over The Last of Us Season 2?

Short answer: not really.
Longer answer: they should probably be at least a little concerned—but not for the reasons you might think.

The Ratings Dip Everyone's Talking About

Let’s start with the numbers. Season 2’s finale drew 3.7 million viewers, a 55% drop compared to the 8.2 million that tuned in for Season 1’s finale. That sounds rough, and it is. But context matters.

Season 2’s finale aired on Memorial Day weekend, a notorious dead zone for TV viewership. People were out at barbecues, taking road trips, or catching summer blockbusters. Not exactly a weekend to stay inside and watch one of TV’s most emotionally brutal dramas.

Still, a 55% drop is hard to ignore. The bigger issue might not be the holiday timing—it’s that a lot of viewers simply checked out earlier in the season.

The Real Problem Isn't Ratings. It's Structure.

Season 2 struggled with one thing above all: storytelling confidence.

Despite having the source material (The Last of Us Part II) and the original game writers onboard, Season 2 felt unsure of itself. Instead of embracing the narrative structure of the game—where Abby’s story unfolds gradually—it tried to make everyone like her before she did the thing that defines her arc.

The result? No mystery, no tension, and minimal emotional payoff.

Characters like Jesse were wasted. Ellie's grief was undercut by disjointed pacing. Abby was introduced without depth or discovery. Viewers weren’t led through the emotional journey—they were told what to feel.

And it didn’t land.

Great Acting, But With Tied Hands

Let’s be clear—this isn’t an acting problem. Bella Ramsey continues to deliver a powerful performance as Ellie, even when the script forgets to acknowledge her pain. Caitlyn Dever’s Abby was intense and compelling, but lacked screen time to fully flesh her out. Young Mazino (Jesse) and Isabela Merced (Dina) gave us glimpses of greatness, but their characters were short-changed.

The issue? Writing and pacing. This season forgot how to trust the audience to connect the dots emotionally. It handed us answers without letting us sit in the questions.

Should Season 2 Have Been Abby's Story?

Honestly? Yeah.

A bolder, better Season 2 might have started with Abby. Let us get to know her. Feel her rage. Watch her spiral. Then, in Season 3, shift to Ellie and give us her emotional tailspin in full.

But Season 2 tried to do both. And in doing so, it shortchanged everyone.

What Is HBO Actually Thinking?

Despite the dip, HBO is not pulling the plug. Here’s why:

• The season still outperformed the Succession series finale in live viewers.
• HBO knows The Last of Us builds viewership post-airing—Season 1 grew week after week after episodes aired.
• Memorial Day weekend numbers were expected to be soft.
• The show still has prestige, buzz, and awards potential.

HBO execs are likely more concerned about course correction than cancellation.

Looking Ahead: Season 3 and Beyond

We already know Season 3 is happening—and based on the final moments of Season 2, it looks like it will focus entirely on Abby.

That’s the right move.

Season 2 may have fumbled the emotional pacing, but with a tighter focus and more trust in its characters, Season 3 could reclaim the magic of Season 1.

And let’s be real—most of us are still watching. We’re just hoping for better.

Land of Geek Rating: 3/5

Season 2 is a stunning production weighed down by clunky pacing, half-baked character arcs, and a fear of its own narrative. There’s still greatness here—but HBO needs to let it breathe next season.

✅ Pros:

• Visually stunning with high production value
• Excellent performances (Bella Ramsey, Caitlyn Dever, Young Mazino)
• Solid adaptation of specific game moments (Ellie’s museum trip, Joel’s death)
• Seeds of great storytelling are there—just not fully grown

❌ Cons:

• Poor pacing and awkward structural choices
• Abby’s story lacks emotional buildup
• Key characters like Jesse, Dina, and even Ellie felt underserved
• Missed opportunity to turn Season 2 into a true narrative mystery
• Emotional detachment from characters and stakes

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