'The Last of Us' Has a Huge Pacing Problem They Need to Fix Before Season 3

The second season of The Last of Us shocked, surprised and impressed viewers worldwide. Yet despite its huge budget and a stellar cast, something still feels off. If you've tried to figure it out but couldn't pinpoint the problem, it's the pacing.

‘The Last of Us’ Episode That Gave Away the Pacing Issue

If we're looking for the clearest example of this pacing problem, Episode 6 stands out like no one else. The episode squeezed multiple flashbacks that we gradually encountered during the game into a single hour.

This decision significantly reduced the emotional impact of these scenes in the first place.

Besides, it showed Ellie forgiving Joel for killing the fireflies way too fast. And if that's not a rushed pacing, I don't know what is.

Fan Feedback: ‘The Last of Us’ Season 2 Was Way Too Rushed

“[The show] feels like yet another rushed HBO series that’s on a tight deadline to make money and move on,” Redditor lemonklaeyz wrote.

“Part 2 could have easily been told in 2 9-episode seasons, they’ve rushed and mangled the first half and now they’re going to needlessly draw out the second,” another fan on Reddit wrote.

“Season [2] was rushed. Bad. The end of Ellie’s 3 day journey doesn’t feel earned when you get there. Ellie did jack sh*t in all of the 3 days,” Redditor bigmack9301 said.

‘The Last of Us’ Season 3 Might Be Longer

The good news is that Season 3 can actually fix this problem. During his interview to Collider, Craig Mazin revealed that Season 3 might be longer.

“I think there’s a decent chance that Season 3 will be longer than Season 2, just because the manner of that narrative and the opportunities it affords us are a little different,” he said.

Will it fix the pacing issue? We’ll have to wait and see.

Where to Watch ‘The Last of Us’ Season 2?

But while you wait for Season 3, you can catch all episodes of The Last of Us on Max right now.