The REAL Reason TLOU Season 2 Angered Fans

by

Contrary to what some mainstream media might be suggesting as a quick label for the response to The Last of Us Season 2, the uproar over Joel’s premature exit runs much deeper and is undeniably sincere, contrary to the portrayal by critics.

According to an article that’s been shared quite a bit on Collider, they argue that the criticism leveled against The Last of Us series has been due to “review bombing.” Essentially, they believe the negative feedback from viewers is mostly orchestrated harassment.

Rahul Malhotra starts off by suggesting that the ‘trolls’ are active again, implying they’ve emerged from their hiding places. He then attributes the decreasing audience rating for the show on Rotten Tomatoes to ‘disgruntled viewers’, who supposedly have a personal grudge against productions led by women. This complaint echoes a common defense strategy used by mainstream media, attempting to conceal audience discontent by attributing it to orchestrated hate campaigns driven by ideological biases.

But this narrative (once again…) doesn’t hold up.

A Familiar Outrage Repeats Itself—Organically

The Collider piece fails to acknowledge that opposition to Joel’s dismissal isn’t only originating from veteran gamers; instead, it is also resonating with fresh spectators who are encountering this chapter of the narrative for the initial time.

2020 saw an unexpected shift in “The Last of Us Part II” narrative for its fans, as they were taken aback by how swiftly it moved away from its primary character Joel. Many felt that his absence left a storytelling gap that the remainder of the game struggled to fill. Today, five years later, those who haven’t played the games are experiencing the same sentiment.

Viewers initially approached the show without any specific expectations about Joel’s character. However, as they followed along with Joel throughout Season 1, they became emotionally invested in his story. Then, to their surprise, the narrative abruptly removed its emotional centerpiece in Season 2. This isn’t a case of trolling; it wasn’t back in 2020 and it isn’t now. Instead, this is a result of poor storytelling decisions, and unfortunately, it seems that this problem persists.

The Numbers Don’t Lie

As a cinephile, I must confess that The Last of Us Season 2 has been met with overwhelming acclaim from critics, boasting an impressive 96% score on Rotten Tomatoes. However, the audience’s reception seems to tell a different tale. Contrary to this success, the audience score on Rotten Tomatoes has plummeted to a mere 52%. Instead of acknowledging the possibility that genuine viewers might be voicing legitimate discontent, some articles have resorted to speculations of organized manipulation, suggesting this is the work of review-bombers, particularly those targeting female creators or content.

Malhotra’s argument seems to be an overreach. While some criticisms do revolve around acting issues, particularly Bella Ramsey’s portrayal of Ellie, it’s not about gender bias. Instead, it’s a question of whether the character interpretation matches the one fans are familiar with from the games. This is a reasonable debate point in any adaptation process. Labeling all criticism as prejudice is not only oversimplifying—it’s misleading.

Selective History and Bad-Faith Comparisons

The Collider article doesn’t just end with Joel’s departure; it links his exit to a sequence of disparate scandals as well.

Indeed, Rotten Tomatoes had to revise its audience rating method following a pattern of targeting that became evident with the release of Captain Marvel in 2019, as stated by Malhotra. Moreover, Halle Bailey’s casting for The Little Mermaid remake sparked discontent among internet trolls, and the pro-Palestine opinions expressed by Rachel Zegler led to lower IMDb ratings for the recent Snow White remake.

This isn’t analysis—it’s agenda-building.

The piece groups all criticisms into a simplified, one-dimensional caricature, conflating constructive criticism with internet harassment. Remarkably similar to the reaction towards Star Wars: The Last Jedi, the response is again being attributed to toxic fans instead of being recognized as a reaction to storylines that didn’t resonate with a larger audience.

The Real Issue: Joel Was the Anchor

A key aspect that critics seem to overlook – intentionally or not – is that Joel served as the emotional core of the series. Pedro Pascal’s portrayal struck a chord with audiences, captivating even those unfamiliar with the games. The character was multifaceted, imperfect, and undeniably human. The decision to eliminate his character early in the season was inherently risky. Instead of orchestrating a deliberate attempt to manipulate ratings for amusement, viewers are expressing their reactions to this narrative gamble.

It’s quite plausible that some negative feedback towards this show might stem from former gamers who are still resentful towards Neil Druckmann and Naughty Dog, due to their alleged use of false advertising in promoting the game. The marketing campaign suggested later scenes featuring Joel, even though his character had actually met his demise earlier on. This is a classic case of deceptive marketing that manipulates expectations, which could explain why fans felt misled and upset.

As a film enthusiast, attributing all criticism to a premeditated assault is nothing short of a far-fetched assertion with no grounding in truth. This kind of statement breaches the limits of professional journalism and ventures into the murky waters of biased propaganda driven by ideology.

A statement from Collider vividly illustrates the unfair treatment: “Why do individuals who engage in review-bombing often specifically target women?

The answer? They don’t.

Audience members often criticize productions led by men when the narrative falls short. However, it’s intriguing to observe that certain media platforms consider viewer opinions valuable at times, yet dismiss them as baseless the next, especially if the content doesn’t align with their preferred narratives.

A Lesson Unlearned

Joel’s departure has stirred familiar feelings, but for TV spectators, it’s a novel experience. Back in 2020, gamers showed similar dismay. Now, those unacquainted with the context are reacting identically. This isn’t mischief-making; rather, it underscores that the controversy has never been centered around gender, persona, or negative reviews.

The focus has consistently been on the narrative – exploring if the creators grasped the deep connection players had formed with one of the most captivating characters in video game lore.

Read More

2025-04-23 19:56