Is The Last of Us’ 4-Season Plan at Risk After Season 2’s Viewership Plunge?

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Following the significant decline in viewership after the Season 2 finale, I’m concerned about The Last of Us and its ability to meet its intended 4-season plan. The series adapted the first half of the 2020 video game sequel, The Last of Us Part II. However, events take a dramatic turn when a woman named Abby suddenly appears and ends the life of Joel, the main character. In response to this tragic event, Ellie embarks on a quest for vengeance, with her friend-turned-romantic partner Dina by her side as they journey to Seattle in pursuit of the new antagonist.

The second season of “The Last of Us” has received mostly positive feedback from critics, who appreciate its fresh approach and the examination of the aftermath from how season one concluded. Contrastingly, viewers haven’t been as enthusiastic; at this moment, the audience rating for season 2 is 38% on Rotten Tomatoes. Although some of this could be due to review bombing, given the contentious release of “The Last of Us Part II,” there is a genuine wane in interest for season 2 compared to season 1. This is particularly evident when comparing the viewership of both final episodes.

The Last Of Us Season 2 Finale Got Less Than Half The Viewership Of The Season 1 Finale

It Also Drew In Less Viewers Than The Season 2 Premiere

Based on information from Warner Bros. Discovery’s press release, the viewership for the season finale of The Last of Us was only half of what the season 1 finale attracted on its premiere night. Specifically, episode 7 of season 2 was watched by 3.7 million viewers across all platforms (HBO and Max combined). Although Warner Bros. Discovery attributes this drop in viewership to Memorial Day weekend, it is still a substantial decrease compared to the season 1 finale. The season 1 finale attracted 8.2 million viewers on its premiere night, which means that the viewership for the season 2 finale decreased by approximately 55%.

The post-apocalyptic drama has seen a 30% decrease in viewership between seasons, as evidenced by the fact that season 2, episode 1 attracted only 5.3 million viewers compared to earlier episodes. This drop can be observed when comparing the season 2 finale with both the season 1 finale and the season 2 premiere, which showed considerable declines in viewer retention. In summary, it appears that the show is experiencing a decline in its same-day audience, possibly due to waning interest among viewers for the series’ recent episodes.

Without High Viewership, The Last Of Us’ 4-Season Plan Could Be In Danger

The Last Of Us Has Already Been Renewed For Season 3

The future of the drama has been mapped out, as The Last of Us season 3 has already been greenlit prior to the release of season 2. Previously, co-creators Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin have revealed a 4-season plan for The Last of Us, which they feel will be sufficient to adapt The Last of Us Part II. Although the specific layout of the TV series is yet to be disclosed, there are three substantial sections of the game’s story that could potentially correspond to each season. However, the exact structure remains uncertain for now.

It seems quite likely that the decreasing audience for “The Last of Us” may pose challenges for the production of season 4, given the noticeable decline in viewership during the season 2 finale. Although ratings don’t include those who watch episodes after they air, the trend suggests a waning enthusiasm among viewers to tune in on the same day. This could potentially impact the show’s ability to sustain its run, especially considering a major shift taking place in season 3.

Why The Last Of Us Season 3 Might See Viewership Drop Even Lower

Season 3 Is Getting A Significant Shift In Focus

Season 2 of The Last of Us concludes with Abby reaching the theater where Ellie and her companions reside, fatally wounding Jesse and capturing Tommy. She appears to fire at Ellie as the scene transitions to a flashback set two days earlier in the WLF’s stadium. This ending leaves the main characters’ future uncertain and hints at the central theme of season 3, which will delve deeper into Abby’s journey following Ellie’s arrival in Seattle, much like The Last of Us Part II does for Abby’s narrative.

* If Season 3 follows its video game roots closely, we might not see Ellie until later in the season.
* But if Druckmann and Mazin’s four-season plan suggests that Season 3 won’t finish the adaptation, then Ellie won’t appear until much later, possibly even at the end of the series. This means a long wait to unravel the cliffhanger ending from Season 2, with the resolution coming only after an entire season without our main character, Ellie.

The idea of dedicating an entire season to Abby, given her actions against Joel, may not sit well with all viewers of the show, as it was a daring choice in “The Last of Us Part II”. Translating this risk into a TV format makes it even more uncertain. Instead, we might be looking at a considerable delay for season 3, during which we won’t see our main character until the very end. This prolonged wait and dramatic shift in focus may prove challenging for a television audience.

How The Last Of Us Can Recover Its Dwindling Ratings

Focus & Speed Are Its Best Options

To boost the flagging popularity of “The Last of Us” in its third season, it might be beneficial to introduce more elements from the show that viewers are already familiar with. A key aspect could be increasing Ellie’s on-screen presence, which may necessitate altering parts of the game’s final act. This adjustment would ensure that Ellie remains at the heart of the narrative without compromising Abby’s role. Thus, season 3 can still offer a substantial part for the franchise’s main character, while promising an engaging continuation of the story.

Instead of waiting two years for Season 3, it could be beneficial to expedite its production. This would help minimize the gap between seasons, which was noticeable between Seasons 1 and 2. By doing so, fans wouldn’t have to wait as long to see Ellie’s less prominent story arc, reducing the potential impact on future viewership. Rapidly increasing viewership for The Last of Us is crucial to ensure its four-season plan remains viable, as a decline in viewers could jeopardize this long-term goal.

All episodes of The Last of Us are now streaming on Max.

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2025-05-29 21:58