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Look, I’ll be honest — I didn’t expect to sob this hard on a Sunday night in 2026, but HBO really said ‘hold my beer.’ The Last of Us Part II (the series) just wrapped its two-part event and the vibes are… heavy. Like, ‘I need three years of therapy’ heavy. It’s officially the highest-rated show of the year, and honestly? It just proved this franchise could run for a decade. Real talk: we are lowkey obsessed.
1. Bella Ramsey is literally the GOAT and we aren’t worthy
Can we just talk about the range? Bella Ramsey isn’t that kid from Game of Thrones anymore. In Part II, they have transitioned Ellie into this hardened, terrifying, yet deeply broken adult and I am screaming. Every close-up shot is a masterclass. If they don’t sweep the Emmys in September, I am personally filing a protest. No cap, this is the best acting on TV right now.
2. Kaitlyn Dever as Abby is the casting win of the century
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The internet was nervous about how HBO would handle Abby, but Kaitlyn Dever? She ate. She left no crumbs. The physical transformation alone is wild, but she brings this humanity to a character that everyone wanted to hate. We were all ready to be Team Ellie forever, but now? I’m conflicted and it’s all Kaitlyn’s fault. Truly iconic behavior.
3. That 98% Rotten Tomatoes score is actually insane
Usually, sequels or ‘Part 2s’ struggle to live up to the hype, but this 2-part event actually outperformed Season 1. It’s currently sitting at a 98% on Rotten Tomatoes with over 400 reviews. Critics are calling it the ‘peak of the prestige TV era.’ It’s rare that everyone agrees on something, but here we are. HBO just doesn’t miss.
4. The ‘Part 3’ rumors are officially heating up
Here is the thing: the show just caught up to the games. But according to sources, Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann are already mapping out ‘Part 3’ scripts. This means the show could easily run for another 5 years without breaking a sweat. We might actually get to see what happens to Ellie next before the gamers do! Arrey, the suspense is killing me!
5. The budget was clearly ‘unlimited’ because wow
Reportedly, HBO spent upwards of $30 million per episode for this 2-part block, and you can see every single cent on screen. The overgrown Seattle sets? The terrifyingly realistic Clickers? It makes other big-budget shows look like student films. It’s not just a show; it’s a whole cinematic experience in your living room. My 4K TV has never worked this hard.
6. Episode 4 was basically a standalone horror movie
Remember the ‘Long, Long Time’ episode from Season 1? Well, Part II gave us the ‘Hospital Descent’ episode and I haven’t slept since. It was 60 minutes of pure, unadulterated nightmare fuel. The practical effects team deserves a raise, a vacation, and a trophy. I was watching through my fingers the whole time. Honestly, I’m still shaking.
7. The chemistry between the new cast is 10/10
It’s not just about Ellie and Abby. The additions of Isabela Merced as Dina and Young Mazino as Jesse were perfect. Their chemistry feels so natural, like they’ve been surviving the apocalypse together for years. It makes the stakes feel so much higher because we actually care when things (inevitably) go wrong. My heart can’t take it, yaar.
8. It’s officially the most-watched HBO show since Game of Thrones
The numbers just dropped and they are staggering. We’re talking 32 million viewers per episode across Max and linear cable. In an era where everyone is canceling their subscriptions, people are literally keeping Max just for this. It’s the only ‘watercooler show’ left where everyone is talking about it at the same time on Monday morning.
9. The soundtrack is living rent-free in my head
Gustavo Santaolalla returned for the score and somehow made it even more haunting. That acoustic guitar theme? It triggers my fight-or-flight response immediately. But also, the use of 80s and 90s tracks this season was chef’s kiss. I’ve had ‘Take On Me’ on repeat for three days and I’m not apologizing for it. It’s a total mood.
10. The representation is actually meaningful
The show handles Ellie’s identity and the diverse backgrounds of the new characters with so much grace. It doesn’t feel like a checklist; it feels like the real world. Seeing Lev’s story play out with such sensitivity was a huge win for the LGBTQ+ community. HBO is showing everyone else how to do diversity right without it feeling forced.
11. That cliffhanger ending has us all screaming
I won’t spoil it for the three people who haven’t seen it yet, but the way Part II ended? Absolute chaos. It leaves the door wide open for so many spin-offs or a massive Season 4. HBO has successfully turned a ‘limited’ story into a sprawling universe that we never want to leave. I’m already counting down the days until the next announcement.
FAQs
Will there be a Season 3 of The Last of Us?
Yes! HBO has already confirmed that the story of the second game was too big for one season, so the ‘Part 2’ we just watched will lead directly into a third season covering the rest of the game’s intense plot.
Is Kaitlyn Dever really playing Abby?
She sure is! After years of fan-casting, Kaitlyn Dever officially joined the cast for this 2-part event and has received universal acclaim for her physical and emotional performance as the controversial character.
Where can I stream The Last of Us Part II series?
You can stream every episode of the series on Max (formerly HBO Max). It’s currently the top-trending show on the platform globally, so you can’t miss it!
Basically, if you aren’t watching The Last of Us right now, what are you even doing with your life? It’s the best thing on TV, it’s making us all cry, and it’s proving that video game adaptations are the new gold standard. Go binge it, then come find me on Reddit so we can theorize about Part 3. Are you Team Ellie or Team Abby? Tell me in the comments!
