Why Did The Last of Us Season 2 Fail? (And Why the Game Works) | EvaluNate

I'm EvaluNate, and in this video I dive deep into The Last of Us Season 2 and explore why it falls short of the high expectations set by The Last of Us - Part II video game. As a passionate fan of Part II, I break down the key issues that impacted the show, from Ellie's mischaracterization to narrative pacing and baffling changes that weakened the emotional impact of the story.

I also compare the storytelling methods in the game vs. the show, highlighting how the adaptation changed crucial moments and character arcs. HBO's The Last of Us missed the mark in capturing the same dark, compelling narrative that made the game so great.

Spoilers for The Last of Us - Part I, Part II, and both seasons of the HBO show are included.

Timestamps:
0:00 - Disclaimer
0:08 - Cinematic Intro
0:48 - Intro
2:07 - My History with The Last of Us Franchise
4:44 - The Ellie Problem
8:39 - Story Structure Matters
21:32 - Some Things Should Just Be Left Unspoken
25:50 - Rushing or Dragging?
29:29 - The Future of the Show
30:52 - Outro

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Footage used:
The Last of Us Season 1
The Last of Us Season 2
The Last of Us Part II Remastered from Gamer's Little Playground:    • THE LAST OF US 2 REMASTERED Full Gameplay ...  
The Last of Us Part I Ending from BabyZone:    • The Last of Us Part I PS5 - ENDING 4k 2022  
John Wick fight scene:    • John Wick First Fighting Scene in 4k  
Craig Mazin BAFTA interview:    • Craig Mazin on why Kaitlyn Dever was the p...  
The Last of Us Creator to Creator:    • [Part 1] The Last of Us cast sit down with...  
The Last of Us Part II Reveal Trailer:    • THE LAST OF US PART 2 Official Reveal Trai...  

Articles referenced:
Last of Us Season 2 finale ratings: https://deadline.com/2023/03/the-last...
Last of Us Season split: https://ew.com/tv/the-last-of-us-part...
Neil Druckmann leaves the show: https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/neil...

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