The highly anticipated second season of HBO’s The Last of Us, which premiered on April 13, 2025, was poised to build on the critical and commercial triumph of its debut season. Adapted from Naughty Dog’s acclaimed video game The Last of Us Part II, the show promised to deliver another gripping chapter in the post-apocalyptic saga of Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey). However, just weeks into its run, Season 2 has been branded a “disaster” by vocal critics and fans, with audience ratings on platforms like Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic plummeting to historic lows. Adding fuel to the fire, reports have surfaced that HBO and Naughty Dog have targeted YouTube critic The Critical Drinker with copyright strikes, allegedly to silence his scathing reviews of the season. This controversy, coupled with polarizing narrative choices and declining viewership, has thrust The Last of Us Season 2 into a maelstrom of debate. Let’s explore the reasons behind the season’s struggles, the clash with The Critical Drinker, and why this drama has captivated the internet.
A Rocky Start: The Ratings Collapse
Season 1 of The Last of Us was a cultural juggernaut, earning a 96% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes and an 88% audience rating, with 8.1 million viewers for its premiere. Season 2, however, has stumbled out of the gate. The season premiere drew 5.3 million viewers, a 13% increase from Season 1, but subsequent episodes have seen a sharp decline, with reports of cable ratings crashing as audiences tune out. On Rotten Tomatoes, the audience score has nosedived to 49%, a stark contrast to the critics’ 95% approval. Metacritic tells a similar story, with a “must-watch” 81/100 critic score overshadowed by a user rating of 4.4/10. Social media posts on X reflect the discontent, with users lamenting, “Last of Us Season 2 is falling off a cliff” and “Ratings tanked after that moment,” pointing to a pivotal plot point as a turning point.
The season’s polarizing reception stems largely from its faithful adaptation of The Last of Us Part II, a game that divided fans upon its 2020 release due to its bold narrative choices. Without spoiling key details, the season introduces a shocking event early on that mirrors the game’s most controversial moment, alienating viewers who were emotionally invested in the Season 1 dynamic. Fans on X have expressed frustration, with one user stating, “They wrecked the show in one scene, and now it’s unwatchable.” Critics, however, have praised the season’s craftsmanship, with outlets lauding the performances of Ramsey, Pascal, and newcomer Kaitlyn Dever as Abby, as well as the show’s action sequences and production design. This critic-audience divide mirrors the game’s reception, where storytelling risks sparked similar backlash.
The Critical Drinker Controversy: A Clash Over Criticism
At the heart of the controversy is The Critical Drinker, a popular YouTube critic known for his sharp, often polarizing takes on film and TV. Drinker, whose real name is Will Jordan, posted videos like “The Last of Us Season 2 – I’ve Got a Bad Feeling About This” in January 2025, warning that the season’s adherence to the game’s divisive story could alienate viewers. Following the premiere, he released a review of Episode 2, titled “The Last of Us – Well, They Really Did It,” which critiqued the season’s narrative choices, particularly “that scene.” These videos, which garnered significant views, reportedly drew the ire of HBO and Naughty Dog, who issued copyright strikes against Drinker’s content, leading to temporary removals from YouTube.
The strikes, reported on X and YouTube channels like RK Outpost, have been framed by some as an attempt to “silence” Drinker and suppress negative feedback. Posts on X, such as one from @DavidHarvey_SC, exclaimed, “Last Of Us Season 2 DISASTER! | Try To SILENCE Critical Drinker As Ratings TANK!” amplifying the narrative of censorship. Drinker’s supporters argue that his critiques, while harsh, are fair commentary protected under fair use, especially given his history of reviewing The Last of Us Part II in 2020, where he called it “A Beautiful Nightmare.” Critics of the strikes point to Naughty Dog’s past, noting that the studio faced accusations of issuing takedowns against YouTubers who criticized Part II for its story and perceived political undertones.
However, the situation is not black-and-white. HBO and Naughty Dog have not publicly commented on the strikes, and some speculate that the actions were automated by YouTube’s copyright system rather than a deliberate attack. Others argue that Drinker’s videos, which often lean into provocative rhetoric, may have crossed lines by using extended clips or inflammatory language, prompting legal action. The controversy has nonetheless galvanized Drinker’s fanbase, with Reddit threads and X posts rallying behind him, framing the strikes as evidence of the show’s creators fearing honest criticism. The clash has only intensified scrutiny of Season 2, turning Drinker into a lightning rod for broader discontent.
Why the Backlash? Narrative Risks and Fan Expectations
The root of Season 2’s struggles lies in its adherence to The Last of Us Part II’s polarizing story. Set five years after Season 1, the season follows Joel and Ellie in Jackson, Wyoming, where they’ve built a fragile community alongside characters like Tommy (Gabriel Luna), Dina (Isabela Merced), and Jesse (Young Mazino). The introduction of Abby, a survivor with a vendetta, upends their world, leading to themes of revenge and moral ambiguity that contrast with Season 1’s focus on unconditional love. Co-creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, who also wrote the game, have defended the season’s direction, with Druckmann describing it as “the dark side of love.” Critics have praised the performances, particularly Ramsey’s portrayal of a traumatized Ellie and Merced’s chemistry as Dina, but fans have struggled with the shift in tone and character arcs.
The season’s early episodes, particularly Episode 2, have been singled out for their emotional weight, with a brutal event that mirrors the game’s most divisive moment. Fans familiar with the game anticipated this twist, but casual viewers, drawn to Season 1’s father-daughter bond, felt blindsided. Social media reactions on X highlight the fallout, with posts like “Joel’s death broke me, I’m done” and “They ruined the best part of the show.” The season’s pacing and abbreviated seven-episode run, compared to Season 1’s nine, have also drawn criticism, with some feeling the story feels incomplete, a sentiment echoed by reviewers who note its cliffhanger ending as a setup for a third season.
Review Bombing or Legitimate Discontent?
The plummeting audience scores have led to accusations of review bombing, where trolls manipulate ratings to protest specific elements, often tied to perceived progressive politics. Similar campaigns targeted The Last of Us Part II in 2020, with detractors attacking its female leads and narrative choices. Season 2 has faced similar scrutiny, with user reviews on Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic focusing on Ramsey and Dever’s characters, while Pascal’s Joel receives less criticism. However, unlike coordinated pre-release attacks, the season’s low scores reflect real-time reactions to aired episodes, suggesting a mix of genuine disappointment and amplified negativity. Critics argue that the show’s high production values and acting deserve better, with one reviewer calling it “the strongest video game adaptation ever.”
The backlash isn’t universal. Fans on Reddit and X have praised the season’s emotional depth and fidelity to the game, with one user stating, “Ellie’s arc is heartbreaking but brilliant, people just hate change.” The show’s defenders argue that its risks mirror the game’s ambition, challenging viewers to grapple with uncomfortable themes. Yet the vocal minority, amplified by critics like Drinker, has dominated the narrative, creating a perception of failure despite the season’s critical acclaim.
The Bigger Picture: The MCU of TV?
The Last of Us Season 2’s struggles highlight broader challenges for HBO and the TV industry. The show was envisioned as a flagship for HBO’s streaming platform, Max, with a multiseason arc akin to Marvel’s cinematic universe. However, the backlash suggests that even prestige dramas are not immune to fan fatigue or the pitfalls of adapting divisive source material. The clash with Drinker underscores the growing influence of online critics, who can shape public perception in ways traditional media cannot. For HBO, the stakes are high: a third season has been greenlit, but declining viewership could jeopardize its longevity.
The controversy also raises questions about creative control versus fan expectations. Mazin and Druckmann’s commitment to the game’s vision has earned praise from critics but alienated a portion of the audience, echoing debates around Game of Thrones’ final season. The strikes against Drinker, whether intentional or not, risk further antagonizing fans who value open discourse, especially in an era where social media amplifies every misstep.
Looking Ahead: Can Season 2 Recover?
As The Last of Us Season 2 continues its run, its fate hangs in the balance. The show’s critical acclaim and loyal fanbase offer hope, but winning back disenchanted viewers will be an uphill battle. The controversy surrounding The Critical Drinker has only heightened the stakes, turning a ratings dip into a cultural flashpoint. For now, HBO and Naughty Dog must navigate a delicate path, balancing artistic integrity with audience goodwill. Whether Season 2 is remembered as a bold misstep or a misunderstood masterpiece, its impact is undeniable, proving that even in a post-apocalyptic world, the real drama unfolds online.
