Warning: MAJOR SPOILERS ahead for The Last of Us season 2, episode 2!The Last of Us season 2 dealt a shocking blow in episode 2, with newcomer Abby (Kaitlyn Dever) killing Joel (Pedro Pascal) to avenge her father, the Firefly surgeon who was supposed to operate on Ellie (Bella Ramsey). At the same time, Jackson was attacked by a horde of infected, with Tommy (Gabriel Luna) and Maria (Rutina Wesley) leading the fight, just barely stopping them from destroying the town.

On IMDb, The Last of Us season 2, episode 2 holds a 9.5 stars out of 10 based on 13,000 reviews, making it the highest-rated episode of the entire series as of writing. This is made more impressive because IMDb is often home to intense review bombing, with s leaving mass negative reviews on movies and shows with controversy surrounding them. However, the high initial review score for episode 2 signals genuine, universal praise for the latest entry in the series.

What The Last Of Us Season 2, Episode 2's IMDb Score Says About The Show

Will Joel's Death Be Less Controversial Than It Was In The Games?

Joel's death was a very controversial event when The Last of Us Part II came out, in part because it had leaked prior to the game's June 2020 release. When the game itself came out, online reactions were polarizing; despite the game getting critical acclaim, some were unhappy with the main character's death and the subsequent impact it had on the story that unfolded after.

However, even with his character in The Last of Us season 2 meeting the same fate, it seems TV viewers are almost entirely united in praising the series for the decision. Aside from the controversy surrounding the game, The Last of Us TV show is no stranger to attempts at review bombing.

Season 1, episode 3, "Long, Long Time," holds an 8.7 stars out of 10 based on 631,000 reviews, in part because of a notable number of 1-star ratings. While this isn't significant, it does indicate how season 2, episode 2's score could have been lowered by a barrage of low ratings. Instead, the show's reception from audiences remains strong as ever, a good sign for the rest of season 2 and The Last of Us season 3.

Our Take On The Last Of Us Season 2, Episode 2's IMDb Reception

A Good Sign For How The TV Show Handles The Second Game

With The Last of Us season 2, episode 2 getting such a high rating so quickly, Joel's death has been cemented as one of the most memorable moments in the whole series. Since the show is following the games so closely, it seems like the aftermath of his demise will play out in much the same way, indicating what path Ellie will choose in the wake of what happened. For now, it seems this episode will be considered one of the best of the series, even as more reviews come in.

New episodes of The Last of Us season 2 air Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and Max.

Source: IMDb