After the season 2 finale’s major drop in viewership, I’m worried aboutThe Last of Usand whether it can really achieve its 4-season plan.The Last of Usseason 2adapted the first half of the 2020 video game sequel,The Last of Us Part II. While the story originally focuses on Joel and Ellie’s lives in the Jackson community in Wyoming,events quickly spiral when a woman named Abby arrives and kills Joel. This prompts Ellie on a quest for revenge, accompanied by her friend-turned-girlfriend Dina as they travel to Seattle in search of the new antagonist.
The Last of Usseason 2 reviewsfrom critics have been quite positive, praising the new direction of the series and the exploration of consequences for how season 1 ended. However, audiences haven’t been as receptive; as of writing,season 2 holds a 38% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. While some of this may stem from review bombing, stemming from howcontroversialThe Last of Us Part IIwason release, there is a genuine lack of interest in season 2 when compared to season 1. No better is that illustrated than by comparing the viewership of both season finales.
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
According to a press release from Warner Bros. Discovery,The Last of Usseason 2 finale viewershipwas less than half of the season 1 finale on premiere night. Season 2, episode 7 drew in 3.7 million cross-platform viewers, the number reflecting viewership on HBO and Max combined. While the company insists the viewership drop is because of Memorial Day weekend, it’s still a significant dip compared to the season 1 finale. Theend ofThe Last of Usseason 1drew in 8.2 million viewers on premiere night, meaningthe season 2 finale had a 55% decrease in views.
This isn’t the only viewership comparison that showcases the post-apocalyptic dramais losing its same-day audience. Season 2, episode 1 drew in 5.3 million viewers, which, by comparison, meansThe Last of Usseason 2 finished with a 30% decrease in viewership. Comparing the season 2 finale with both the season 1 finale and the season 2 premiere showcases some significant dips in audience retention. Generally speaking, the show seems to be losing its same-day audience, something that seems to reflect audience disinterest in the series' latest 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 drama’s short-term future has already been laid out, withThe Last of Usseason 3renewed before season 2 premiered. However, series co-creators Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin have previously saidthey have a4-season plan forThe Last of Us, which they believe will be necessary to complete their adaptationofThe Last of Us Part II. While it’s unconfirmed how the structure of the TV series is planned to be showcased, there are three significant chunks of story in the game that could correspond to each season. However, this structure remains unknown for sure.
The significant drop seen in the season 2 finale’s numbers signals there is a diminishing interest in the series.
What I believe is more certain, though, is thatThe Last of Us' declining viewership will put plans for season 4 in jeopardy. The significant drop seen in the season 2 finale’s numbers signals there is a diminishing interest in the series. While these numbers don’t account for larger viewership numbers that happen after an episode has aired, they do signify less people are interested in watching the episodes on the same day. This could be detrimental to the show’s planned longevity, made more precarious by a key change happening 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
The Last of Usseason 2 endedwith Abby arriving at the theater where Ellie and her group are, killing Jesse and holding Tommy hostage. She seemingly shoots at Ellie before the scene cuts to a flashback of Abby in the WLF’s stadium two days prior. This not only leaves the main character’s fate on a massive cliffhanger, but also teases the main focus of season 3.Much likeThe Last of Us Part II, season 3 will be focused on Abby, showcasing what she’s been doing since Ellie arrived in Seattle.
If season 3 stays true to its video game source material, this meansEllie probably isn’t going to appear until the latter half of the season. However, if Druckmann and Mazin’s 4-season plan means season 3 won’t complete the adaptation, then Ellie isn’t going to show up until the very end. Not only does this create a significant wait to resolve season 2’s cliffhanger ending, but it also means the resolution won’t come until after a full season without the show’s main character.
I’m not convinced everyone watching the show is going to want to see anentire season focused on Abby, especially since she killed Joel. Focusing on her story was a risky move inThe Last of Us Part II, but to replicate that in a TV format is even riskier.Audiences are going to have to wait a significant amount of time for season 3, which won’t even feature the show’s main character until the very end. It’s more to ask of a TV audience because of the inevitably lengthy wait time and that significant shift in focus.
As of writing,The Last of Usseason 3 production start window has yet to be revealed.
Focus & Speed Are Its Best Options
Image via Max
I believe the best way forThe Last of Usto recover its dwindling ratings is to incorporate more familiar elements of the show into season 3.One core consideration is giving Ellie more screen time, even if it means adapting part of the game’s final arc in the process. This would allow the protagonist to continue her central role in the story without jeopardizing Abby’s role, promising that season 3 will still give the franchise’s main character a significant part to play.
Another option is to fast-track production of season 3, reducing the two-year turnaround time that happened between seasons 1 and 2. Doing so means viewers aren’t waiting a long time to see a stretch of the story where Ellie barely appears, making her absence less potentially damaging to future viewership numbers. EnsuringThe Last of Usgets strong viewership is a major factor in securing its 4-season plan, something that won’t come to fruition if the series continues to lose viewers.
The Last Of Us
Cast
The Last of Us is a post-apocalyptic drama series set two decades after a global catastrophe. It follows Joel, a seasoned survivor, who is tasked with escorting Ellie, a teenage girl, across a desolated United States, transforming into a harrowing journey of survival and companionship.
