The Last of Us Season 2: Rotten Tomatoes Score Tanks Despite Best Episode Yet

The Last of Us has returned with the second episode of Season 2, and it didn’t pull any punches. Titled “Through the Valley,” the episode made a powerful impression, cementing its place as one of the most talked-about of the series so far. 

Highest Rated… and Most Hated?

While the first episode focused on building the world back up after the events of Season 1, Episode 2 wastes no time in shifting gears and setting the tone for what promises to be an emotional season.

Related: Earth’s Core Isn’t Still: Scientists Discover Solid Rock Flow in the Deep Interior

The episode has been incredibly highly-rated by the majority of viewers and critics. But there seems to be a cross-section of the fans of the game that are review bombing, especially on Rotten Tomatoes where the metre dropped to just 53%.

The show makers have had to make slight but meaningful changes to the way events unfold. These tweaks have sparked discussion among fans, but for many, the heart of the story remains intact and just as impactful.

Some notable differences from the game’s original scene have already been noticed. Characters swap places, certain dramatic beats land a little differently, and emotional moments have been restructured to bring fresh perspective to familiar events. Despite these adjustments, or perhaps because of them, the episode has been met with overwhelming praise.

The Last of Us Season 2 Sets Record High on IMDb

As of now, it holds a 9.5 rating on IMDb. This is the highest score for any episode in the series so far, just edging past Season 1’s emotionally wrenching “Endure and Survive” and edging into the sort of classic territory of shows like Breaking Bad.

This high rating comes at a time when the show has also faced some backlash from vocal sections of the audience, reflected in a more mixed reception on Rotten Tomatoes. The Season 2 audience score recently dipped, but the critical acclaim and fan passion remain strong, especially after such a commanding second episode.

Casting Shakeups Spark Old Wounds

Pedro Pascal, who plays the hardened but deeply human Joel, once again delivers a moving performance. Joel’s character has always been complex. Though his role in Season 2 may be scaled back in some ways, his presence still looms large, and his portrayal continues to resonate.

Fans of the video game will recognise that this episode signals a shift in narrative focus. The story now pivots toward the emotional aftermath, especially from the perspective of Ellie, played with remarkable depth by Bella Ramsey. The character’s path forward will be shaped by what happened here, and Ramsey is more than ready to take the spotlight. There’s a sense that this season is as much Ellie’s story as anything else, and that’s where a lot of the emotional weight is headed.

Also stepping into a bigger role is Isabela Merced’s Dina, who shares strong chemistry with Ellie and is clearly poised to play a significant part in what’s to come. The writers have made a few bold choices in placing her in key scenes and it seems that her relationship with Ellie will be explored deeply and with care. The cast, which includes returning and new faces alike, is shaping up to be one of the show’s strongest assets moving forward.

What’s clear from “Through the Valley” is that The Last of Us isn’t afraid to challenge its audience. It’s a story about trauma, and difficult choices. And even when fans know what’s coming, the series finds a way to make those moments land with fresh emotional impact.

The Last of Us Season 2 Casting and Story Changes Annoy Some Fans

The casting of The Last of Us Season 2 was under more scrutiny than ever, largely because of the story and the way it unfolds.. Bringing in Kaitlyn Dever to play Abby was met with mixed reactions. Dever, known for her strong performances in shows like Unbelievable and Dopesick, was praised by some for her acting chops and intensity. But others, still holding onto bitterness from the game’s original plot, weren’t as welcoming. 

While it’s impossible to please every corner of the fandom, the showrunners were careful this time around. They wanted to avoid the same vitriol that engulfed Abby’s voice actor, Laura Bailey, during the release of The Last of Us Part II, an incident that spiraled into harassment.

Dever’s casting was not just a performance decision as it was a calculated move to humanise Abby early on and ease audiences into her story with more nuance than the game originally provided. HBO’s adaptation places Abby’s motivations front and center far sooner, framing her as more than just an antagonist. 

The creators, especially Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, haven’t ignored the discourse. They’ve addressed the backlash directly in interviews. Mazin, in particular, emphasised that great drama often makes people uncomfortable. That discomfort is what makes the story worth telling. By grounding Abby’s actions in personal pain and focusing on character psychology rather than shock value, the makers have even arguably given the story a more balanced lens.

With critical momentum behind it and a clear narrative direction set, The Last of Us Season 2 is shaping up to be every bit as gripping as its debut season, if not more so. 

While this may annoy some, TLOU Part 2 is a bold reimagining that understands the core of its source material while being willing to carve its own path. And after an episode like this, the road ahead looks like it could be intense. Buckle up.