The Last of Us (Season 2)

⭐ 7/10

This pairs well with my Lonesome Dove review, since its an adaptation of something I loved. However, I don't think this did as good of a job. The game has a unique structure, and the show kind of tries to match it, but I don't think it works at all, especially since there will probably be 2 years until the next season. Ellie's half of the game was less interesting than the second half in my opinion, and this season didn't improve on that. I don't want to hate on the actress, since I think Bella Ramsey actually does a great job, she does doesn't have the stature or frankly the age to match the character from the game. Everything seems less heightened and serious because she looks so young.

There were great moments, and I thought the flashback episodes were better than expected. The big moment early in the season was solid, and I actually really like who they have playing Abby. Dever also doesn't match the stature, but I thought she brought the same energy and I am very much looking forward to more of her next season.

I'm not a TV writer, and I am sure the writers spent a ton of time deciding whether to match the game structure or to splice together the two arcs. I honestly think they picked the worst combination. 90% Ellie, and then throwing in Isaac and a couple other random scenes to give us some world building. Feels like it works way better if we just have no idea what's going on in the city like Ellie, but instead they give us some less-interesting crumbs. I'm sure I couldn't do it better, I was just kind of annoyed with the choices they made.

They used a scene that made me cry in the finale of the game in the finale here, and that's fine, but I worry they will reuse it in the actual finale and it will lose its power. They did do the scene well I thought though, and I was moved again, probably because I was remember the game though. It actually feels similar to season one for me, some cool moments but hard not to like the game more, where you spend where more time in the shoes of the characters. Season 1 also had that terrific stand alone episode, a high this season was never able to match. Even where season one improved a bit felt better than the improve here. A fine show, but I would recommend the game over this ever single time.