After the season 2 finale's major drop in viewership, I'm worried about The Last of Us season 2 adapted 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.
controversial The Last of Us Part II was on 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, end of The Last of Us season 1 drew in 8.2 million viewers on premiere night, meaning the season 2 finale had a 55% decrease in views.
Why The Last Of Us' Season 2 Finale Is So Divisive
The Last of Us season 2 finale has seen divisive responses from audiences. Here's our breakdown of the critiques and how they relate to the game.
This isn't the only viewership comparison that showcases the post-apocalyptic drama is losing its same-day audience. Season 2, episode 1 drew in 5.3 million viewers, which, by comparison, means The Last of Us season 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, with 4-season plan for The Last of Us, which they believe will be necessary to complete their adaptation of The 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 that The 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 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 Us season 2 ended with 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 like The 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 means Ellie 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 an entire season focused on Abby, especially since she killed Joel. Focusing on her story was a risky move in The 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 Us season 3 production start window has yet to be revealed.
How The Last Of Us Can Recover Its Dwindling Ratings
Focus & Speed Are Its Best Options
Image via Max
I believe the best way for The Last of Us to 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. Ensuring The Last of Us gets 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.
All episodes of The Last of Us are now streaming on Max.
The Last Of Us
- Release Date
- January 15, 2023
- Network
- HBO
- Showrunner
- Craig Mazin
Cast
Joel Miller
Ellie Williams
WHERE TO WATCH
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.
- Directors
- Craig Mazin, Peter Hoar, Jeremy Webb, Ali Abbasi, Mark Mylod, Stephen Williams, Jasmila Žbanić, Liza Johnson, Nina Lopez-Corrado
- Writers
- Neil Druckmann, Craig Mazin
- Franchise(s)
- The Last of Us
- Main Genre
- Horror
- Creator(s)
- Craig Mazin, Neil Druckmann
- Producers
- Carter Swan, Carolyn Strauss, Evan Wells, Asad Qizilbash, Greg Spence, Rose Lam, Jacqueline Lesko
- Seasons
- 2
- Story By
- Neil Druckmann, Bruce Straley
- Streaming Service(s)
- MAX
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