The Last Of Us Season 2 (2025) Spoiler Free Review
Every path has a price. The second season, based on the first half of the 2020 game The Last of Us Part II, takes place five years after the events of the first season, after Joel and Ellie have settled into Jackson, Wyoming. With seven episodes the season premiered on April 13, 2025 and concluded on May 25, 2025.
Follows Joel and Ellie five years after the events of the first season, after they have settled into Jackson, Wyoming, with Joel’s brother Tommy and Ellie’s friends Dina and Jesse.
Season synopsis
This season’s cast includes Pedro Pascal as Joel Miller, Bella Ramsey as Ellie, Gabriel Luna as Tommy, Isabela Merced as Dina, Young Mazino as Jesse, Kaitlyn Dever as Abby, Rutina Wesley as Maria, Robert John Burke as Seth, Spencer Lord as Owen, Tati Gabrielle as Nora, Ariela Barer as Mel, Danny Ramirez as Manny, Catherine O’Hara as Gail, Noah Lamanna as Kat, Jeffrey Wright as Isaac Dixon, Alanna Ubach as Hanrahan, Josh Peck as Janowicz, Ben Ahlers as Burton, Hettienne Park as Elise Park, Tony Dalton as Javier Miller, and Joe Pantoliano as Eugene Lynden.
Episode guide
- Future days – April 13, 2025
- Through the valley – April 20, 2025
- The Path – April 27, 2025
- Day One – May 4, 2025
- Feel Her Love – May 11, 2025
- The Price – May 18, 2025
- Convergence – May 25, 2025
A Season of Mixed Emotions: A Review of The Last of Us Season 2
The second season of The Last of Us ended this past Sunday, May 25, 2025 leaving me with a sense of mixed feelings. After watching season 1, my anticipation for the adaptation of the second game was sky-high. And as someone who isn’t a gamer, my usual approach is to delve into the game’s lore only after experiencing the adaptation. This plan, however, took a sharp turn for the worse after episode two.
I was completely unprepared for the shocking moment that took place during the second episode “Through the Valley”. The whole episode broke me to the point that I almost quit watching right then and there. My anger led me to break my rule and research the game’s full plot and ending, which only fueled my frustration. Despite my disappointment, I decided to finish the season out of commitment. Now that it’s over, my feelings remain mixed.
One of the undeniable highlights of this season is Kaitlyn Dever’s phenomenal portrayal of Abby. Hating the character is easy, but Dever’s performance was so captivating that it made me genuinely interested in seeing Season 3, which is set to be from Abby’s perspective. She possesses a remarkable ability to convey a wealth of emotion with just her facial expressions, and despite my dislike for the character, I believe she was the perfect choice for the role. Pedro Pascal, though with limited screentime, once again delivered a fantastic performance, bringing a profound emotional depth to Joel that made his fate even more heartbreaking.
Regarding Bella Ramsey as Ellie, I find the criticism regarding her looks to be utterly nonsensical. The real issue, in my opinion, lies with the script. While Ramsey clearly possesses the talent, the narrative and the way Ellie’s story unfolds this season simply don’t click. Many who’ve played the game describe the story as rushed, and while I can’t confirm that, it feels plausible. Ellie’s personality and behavior felt inconsistent. She’s supposed to be driven by grief and rage, yet we rarely see that intensity. The inconsistencies in her reactions to certain deaths, showing mercy to some while being enraged with others, simply didn’t make sense. I believe Bella Ramsey is capable of delivering those raw emotions, but the script unfortunately holds her back.
The cinematography and score were once again outstanding. Episode two, despite its heartbreaking content, was masterfully crafted, on par with some of the best episodes of Game of Thrones in terms of execution. The visuals, settings, and especially the infected and the makeup department continued to impress, creating truly creepy and effective monsters. However, a significant amount of context was missing regarding the new groups introduced. While we got some information, it felt incomplete, forcing me to research their backstory independently. I’m hopeful that Season 3 will fill these gaps.
On a general note, this season unfortunately didn’t meet my expectations. My biggest concern moving forward is the long wait for Season 3, estimated to be around 2027. This significant gap could negatively impact the viewing experience. I believe filming Seasons 2 and 3 concurrently, or at least making Season 2 longer than just seven episodes, would have been a much better approach. The Last of Us Season 2 it’s not terrible, but it’s far from the exceptional standard set by its predecessor. Here’s hoping Season 3 brings the improvement this series desperately needs.