TV: The Last of Us (HBO)

[Jussi]

'The Last of Us' Season 2 Finale Viewership Down 55% From Season 1

"The Last of Us" Season 2 finale viewership was only half of what tuned into the Season 1 finale of the HBO series.

www.thewrap.com

HBO’s “The Last of Us” Season 2 finale aired to half the audience that tuned into the Season 1 finale of the video game adaptation, as Sunday’s season closer saw 3.7 million cross-platform viewers. That’s down 55% from the Season 1 finale, which scored 8.2 million cross-platform viewers, then an impressive feat given that it aired opposite the Oscars.

“There is another side to this story that we have yet to really delve into. And there’s no question that Abby is the hero of her story. Where we go next, all I can say is it will always be centering on somebody, whether it’s Ellie and Dina or whether it’s Abby,” co-creator Craig Mazin said during a press conference tied to the Season 2 finale. “But really, if you want to boil it down, everything is under the cloud or sunlight of Joel — what Joel did to Abby and what Joel did for Ellie — and that will never change.”

 

[CallMeShaft]

Is the show worth watching? I loved the 1st game, the 2nd was just a complete drag and unenjoyable to play, like watching torture porn or Requiem for a dream. Just a terrible experience. I have seen concerns about the casting and have to agree, Ellie in the show doesn't look anything like in the games, and no one pictured Joel and Tommy being played by hispanics (seriously pictured someone like Hugh Jackman as Joel)

First season is great, second is up for debate. I enjoyed a lot of season 2, many didn't.

Regarding the actors, while some may complain about Bella as 19yo Ellie, she pulls off young Ellie really well. Meanwhile, with regards to Joel (and to a lesser extent, Tommy), who gives a shit? Pedro Pascal is a phenomenal actor and they are lucky to have him as Joel.

I'm not saying you are or aren't one of these types of people, but there is a large percentage of people on the internet who loves to complain about shows/movies being woke and going with someone who is a minority to play a white character. But believe me when I say that that isn't the case here. This isn't Hollywood going woke and giving the part to a Hispanic as some way of trying to appeal to a wider demographic, it's a Hispanic being the best choice they had and slightly altering the character to make it work with said actor.

 

[Jussi]

Neil Druckmann Ends The Last Of Us ‘Cure’ Debate, Is Wrong

Neil Druckmann has addressed an infamous The Last of Us debate. He is also very wrong, despite what he's saying about the Firefly Cure.

www.forbes.com

“Could the Fireflies make a cure? Our intent was that, yes, they could.“

“Now, is our science a little shaky that now people are questioning it? Yeah, it was a little shaky and now people are questioning that. I can’t say anything. All I can say is that our intent is that they would have made a cure. That makes it a more interesting philosophical question for what Joel does.”

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Season 2 wasnt as good. I’m excited for Abbys story next season though.

 

[Tasty Biscuits]

I personally feel it would've made sense to deviate from the structure of the game and tell Ellie and Abby's stories side-by-side. The two "halves" made sense from a game-playing perspective, but as a viewing experience it didn't work for S2. I expect S3 to be a uptick in quality but they lost a lot of viewers they won't get back.

 

[DaaaaB's]

'The Last of Us' Season 2 Finale Viewership Down 55% From Season 1

"The Last of Us" Season 2 finale viewership was only half of what tuned into the Season 1 finale of the HBO series.

www.thewrap.com

Do you think that bolded part actually helps the argument you were making last week?

 

[DaaaaB's]

I personally feel it would've made sense to deviate from the structure of the game and tell Ellie and Abby's stories side-by-side. The two "halves" made sense from a game-playing perspective, but as a viewing experience it didn't work for S2. I expect S3 to be a uptick in quality but they lost a lot of viewers they won't get back.

And now we get to wait two years to see how Abby got the jump on Tommy despite having far inferior skills as soldier.

 

[zombie kopitar]

I just kept enjoying this season less and less, they screwed the pooch pretty bad other than the flashback episode; and Bella just can't lead a show this grand in nature, it only worked with Pedro

 

[Jussi]

And now we get to wait two years to see how Abby got the jump on Tommy despite having far inferior skills as soldier.

The way Isaac was raving about her, I got the feeling Abby is pretty well trained in the show.

 

[Jussi]

I just kept enjoying this season less and less, they screwed the pooch pretty bad other than the flashback episode; and Bella just can't lead a show this grand in nature, it only worked with Pedro

I have no problem with Bella's acting or casting in the show but I kind of get the feeling the script, especially in the finale or last two episodes, isn't doing her any favors. Ellie just feels much differently written in just behavior and decision making. Like in ep 6, she ignored Tommy to go after Abby because Tommy can take care of himself. Yet in ep 7 Jesse said she came after Ellie because she'd do the same for him???!!