The Last of Us Season 2 Finale: A Dramatic Drop in Viewership Sparks Debate

The post-apocalyptic world of HBO’s The Last of Us has captivated audiences since its debut in 2023, setting a high bar for video game adaptations with its emotionally charged storytelling and stellar performances by Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey. However, the Season 2 finale, which aired on May 25, 2025, has left fans and analysts buzzing—not for its narrative twists, but for a staggering 55% drop in viewership compared to the Season 1 finale. With only 3.7 million cross-platform viewers tuning in, compared to 8.2 million for Season 1’s closer, HBO finds itself navigating a storm of fan backlash, critical scrutiny, and questions about the show’s future. Yet, the network remains steadfast, attributing the decline to external factors and touting the season’s global performance. What led to this dramatic drop, and how is HBO coping? Let’s dive into the numbers, the narrative choices, and the broader context shaping this phenomenon.

A Divisive Season from the Start

Season 2 of The Last of Us, based on Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us Part II, was always destined to be polarizing. The game itself, released in 2020, sparked intense debate among players for its bold narrative decisions, particularly the early death of a beloved character and a shift in perspective that challenged players’ loyalties. The HBO adaptation, co-created by Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, stayed faithful to these choices, most notably with the shocking demise of Joel (Pedro Pascal) in Episode 2, “Through the Valley.” This pivotal moment, where Joel is brutally killed by Abby (Kaitlyn Dever) in front of Ellie (Bella Ramsey), mirrored the game’s sequence but landed like a bombshell for TV audiences, especially those unfamiliar with the source material.

The decision to place Joel’s death so early in the seven-episode season—two episodes shorter than Season 1—set the tone for a season defined by risk-taking. Viewership data reflects the immediate impact: the Season 2 premiere drew 5.3 million viewers, a 13% increase from Season 1’s debut, but Episode 2 saw a 31.5% drop to 643,000 linear viewers in the U.S., with only a partial recovery to 768,000 by Episode 3. The finale’s 3.7 million viewers marked a 30% decline from the premiere and a 55% plummet from Season 1’s record-setting 8.2 million. Social media platforms like X lit up with fan reactions, with some declaring, “We turned it off after Joel died,” while others criticized the season’s pacing and adaptation changes.

HBO’s Response: Holiday Blues or Narrative Misstep?

HBO quickly addressed the finale’s numbers, attributing the drop to the Memorial Day holiday weekend, a time when viewership typically dips due to travel and outdoor activities. The network expressed confidence that delayed viewing on platforms like Max would boost the numbers, noting that Season 2 was averaging nearly 37 million global viewers per episode—surpassing Season 1’s 32 million average after 90 days. This global figure, HBO argues, underscores the show’s enduring popularity, with over 90 million viewers engaging with the franchise since Season 1 ended.

However, the holiday explanation only partially accounts for the trend. Season 1’s finale aired opposite the Oscars, a formidable competitor, yet still achieved record-breaking viewership. Moreover, other HBO shows like House of the Dragon (8.9 million for its Season 2 finale) and The White Lotus (6.2 million) outperformed The Last of Us Season 2 despite similar scheduling challenges. This suggests that external factors alone don’t fully explain the decline. The season’s divisive narrative, particularly Joel’s early exit and the focus on Ellie’s revenge-driven arc, appears to have alienated a portion of the audience.

The Joel Effect: A Star’s Departure and Fan Backlash

Pedro Pascal’s portrayal of Joel was a cornerstone of Season 1’s success, blending rugged heroism with emotional vulnerability. His abrupt departure in Episode 2, coupled with the graphic nature of his death, shocked casual viewers and sparked a wave of discontent. On Rotten Tomatoes, Season 2’s audience score plummeted to 49%, down from Season 1’s 87%, while Metacritic user ratings dropped to 4.1 from 6.3. IMDb’s lowest-rated episode of the series, at 6.7/10, coincided with Joel’s death, reflecting a clear correlation between this plot point and viewer dissatisfaction.

The backlash wasn’t limited to ratings. Season 2 faced review bombing on platforms like Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic, with some fans targeting the show for its fidelity to the game’s controversial plot. Posts on X echoed sentiments from the gaming community, with one user stating, “The second season just shows how horribly written the second game was.” Others argued that the issue lay not in the story itself but in its execution, citing rushed pacing and a lack of emotional buildup compared to the game’s 20-40 hour runtime. The TV adaptation condensed this into under seven hours, leading to criticisms that key moments felt abrupt or underserved.

Critical Acclaim vs. Audience Divide

Despite the audience backlash, Season 2 retained strong critical support, earning a 96% “certified fresh” score on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics praised the performances, particularly Kaitlyn Dever’s nuanced portrayal of Abby and Bella Ramsey’s raw depiction of Ellie’s grief and rage. The direction, cinematography, and production values were lauded for elevating the game’s cinematic storytelling. However, even positive reviews acknowledged the challenges of adapting such a divisive narrative. Some critics noted that the extended focus on action sequences, like the siege on Jackson, occasionally overshadowed the character-driven moments that defined Season 1’s success.

The divide between critics and audiences highlights a broader tension in adapting polarizing source material. The Last of Us Part II was a critical darling but faced similar fan backlash for its narrative choices, with user scores on Metacritic dropping to 5.8 compared to the first game’s 9.2. The TV show’s decision to double down on these choices, rather than softening them for a broader audience, was a bold gamble that didn’t fully pay off in terms of same-day viewership.

The Bigger Picture: Modern TV and Viewer Fatigue

Beyond narrative choices, the viewership drop raises questions about the state of modern television. The two-year gap between Seasons 1 and 2, coupled with a shorter episode count and a cliffhanger ending, may have tested audience patience. Industry observers note that long hiatuses can erode viewer investment, especially when shows rely on serialized storytelling. One producer remarked, “Audiences get connected to a show, and when they’re away from it for too long, it’s easy to fall out of love.” With Season 3 not expected until 2027, HBO risks further disengagement unless it can maintain momentum through marketing or companion content.

Additionally, the rise of streaming has shifted viewing habits. Same-day viewership, once a key metric, now represents only a fraction of a show’s audience. HBO’s emphasis on global averages and delayed viewing reflects this reality, but the 55% drop in live viewers suggests a loss of “appointment viewing” allure. Fans may be waiting to binge the season later, but the immediate decline signals a disconnect that HBO must address.

HBO’s Path Forward: Confidence in Season 3

Despite the challenges, HBO remains bullish on The Last of Us. The network has already greenlit Season 3, with hints of a potential Season 4 and 5 to complete the adaptation of The Last of Us Part II. Showrunner Craig Mazin has defended the season’s risks, emphasizing the need to evolve the story each season. “We have to take risks as a television show,” he said, acknowledging the difficulty of following a hit debut. The cliffhanger finale, which sets up a shift toward Abby’s perspective, promises to delve deeper into the game’s most contentious elements, potentially reigniting debate.

HBO’s confidence is bolstered by the show’s global performance and critical acclaim. The network points to the 37 million average viewers per episode as evidence of sustained interest, and the franchise’s 90 million total viewers since 2023 underscore its cultural impact. However, to recapture Season 1’s magic, HBO may need to address pacing concerns, balance spectacle with character depth, and find ways to bridge the long wait for Season 3.

Conclusion: A Bold but Costly Gamble

The 55% viewership drop for The Last of Us Season 2 finale is a stark reminder of the risks inherent in adapting polarizing stories. Joel’s death, while faithful to the game, alienated a significant portion of the audience, compounded by pacing issues and a shorter season. HBO’s optimism, grounded in global viewership and a commitment to bold storytelling, suggests that the network sees this as a temporary setback rather than a fatal blow. As fans await Season 3, the question remains: can The Last of Us reclaim its status as a cultural juggernaut, or will its divisive choices continue to divide its audience? For now, the conversation rages on, with fans, critics, and HBO all grappling with the fallout of a season that dared to swing for the fences.