The Last of Us Season 2, Episode 4: Why Reviews Are Flooded with Hate!

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For fans of top-tier television, it’s widely acknowledged that “The Last of Us” stands out. Not only is it arguably the best video game adaptation, but it also ranks among the finest modern TV series. While there have been a few scenes that tug at your heartstrings, the second season has consistently maintained the high standard set by the first. However, constructive criticism is essential in any good critique, and unfortunately, the recent reviews for “The Last of Us” Episode 4 are not representative of this balanced approach.

In the second season, episode 4, titled “Day One,” has generally garnered praise from both fans and critics. Yet, there have been a handful of negative reviews and one-star ratings primarily due to the love scene between Ellie (played by Bella Ramsey) and Dina (Isabela Merced). Regrettably, this series has seen an increasing trend of review-bombing and dismissive comments as “woke,” stemming from ongoing online culture conflicts. These reviews often lack constructive criticism or new perspectives, instead focusing on the notion that non-straight romances are undesirable. It’s unfortunate because “Day One” was one of the show’s strongest episodes to date. This serves as your final spoiler warning.

What Happens in ‘The Last of Us’ Season 2, Episode 4, “Day One”?

Title One begins with a flashback to 2018, featuring an unanticipated scare from Josh Peck, followed by a glimpse into how Isaac Dixon (Jeffrey Wright, reprising his voice role) left FEDRA and took charge of the Washington Liberation Front rebel group. Concurrently in 2029, Ellie and Dina traverse the wreckage of Seattle on their mission to locate and eliminate WLF members who murdered Joel. This adventure takes them through the renowned Capitol Hill district, known for its LGBTQ+ friendliness. Interestingly, they are oblivious to the significance of the rainbow flags and “Pride” murals, as they were born after the apocalypse. The episode also includes a beloved musical scene from the game where Ellie plays “Take On Me.

During the show, we occasionally shift focus from Isaac in the present day, who’s firmly at the helm of WLF. He brutally interrogates a Seraphite/Scar for intel on their impending attack, but when he withholds information, Isaac mercilessly kills him. This scene effectively portrays Isaac as a relentless militia leader and serves as a poignant reminder for those who recall him from the game.

Moving on to Ellie and Dina, the episode intensifies the action to maximum levels by positioning them right in the middle of a WLF squad and an infected mob beneath the WLF’s hideout. When Dina spots Ellie’s bite wound, it’s a tear-jerking moment all over again, but fortunately, Ellie manages to reassure Dina about her immunity.

In simpler terms, the review bombing incident seems to have been triggered by the depiction of a heartfelt, emotional love scene between two characters (Dina and Ellie) who are in a queer relationship, within the show “The Last of Us”. It’s understandable that not everyone might enjoy or agree with every aspect of a TV series. However, repeatedly criticizing episodes due to LGBTQ+ representation feels repetitive and unproductive. It’s important to remember that this is not the first time such incidents have occurred.

Why Is That ‘Last of Us’ Episode Getting Hate?

3 days post its release on May 7th, IMDb has garnered over 15,000 user ratings for “Day One”. Surprisingly, about a fifth (20.5%) of these ratings are just a single star. In fact, this one-star rating count is nearly equal to the number of perfect 10s it received! The majority, however, have rated it between 7, 8, or 9 (37.2%), while the rest fall within the range of 2 to 6, averaging around 400 to 600 each.

It’s possible that this episode is an exception rather than the rule. The connection between the love scene and the bombs isn’t definitively established yet. To give it a balanced perspective, one critic noted that the characters’ clothing seems too clean for a post-apocalyptic setting, which could be valid. Interestingly, the first episode of season two, which includes Ellie and Dina’s kiss, experienced a similar backlash. Out of its 29,000 ratings, over 3,000 are one-star. This contrasts with the combined total of 1,800 ratings at 2, 3, and 4 stars.

In the seventh episode of Season 1, which featured Ellie reminiscing about her past love with Riley, received more than 9,500 negative reviews. Interestingly, even the highly acclaimed episode featuring Bill and Frank, often regarded as a television classic, had 58,000 out of its total 235,000 ratings as one-star.

As a devoted film enthusiast, I can’t help but ponder over the striking contrast between the second episode of this season and the poignant finale of our protagonist, Joel. Despite garnering a modest rating (approximately 7%), it intrigues me why it fares so differently from the other episodes. It seems to me that some viewers might be artificially skewing the ratings down, merely because the show includes LGBTQ+ characters. I can’t help but wonder if this isn’t a lazy and senseless act.

Let’s critique the script, pacing, and narrative; that’s entirely fair play. But let’s ground our criticisms in substance rather than on trivial cultural conflicts. It’s almost as if we can foresee this trend, especially with a certain reality TV mogul back in power.

This article may not address every global issue, but that’s wishful thinking; it won’t. However, fans of the show continue to express displeasure over Ellie and Dina’s romance. But remember, this sentiment is shared by a small group. Most The Last of Us viewers, excluding online trolls, appreciate its diverse cast and can discuss the show intelligently, acknowledging its strengths and weaknesses. Therefore, try not to let the negative comments deter you. Season 2 of The Last of Us is now available on Max.

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2025-05-08 02:15