The Last of Us Season 2 Review: Brutal, Brilliant Television

<p>Warning: mild spoilers ahead. The Last of Us Season 2 does not soften the blows that made the source game so controversial. HBO and creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann commit fully to the story emotional brutality, and the result is television that genuinely disturbs and moves you in equal measure.</p><h2>The Performances</h2><p>Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey are exceptional. The dynamic between Joel and Ellie has shifted — there is distance, resentment, and unresolved grief — and both actors convey this without a single expository line of dialogue.</p><h2>The Verdict</h2><p>The Last of Us Season 2 is not comfortable television, but it is extraordinary television. Rating: 9/10.</p>