There's One Character The Last of Us Fans Hate the Most, And It's Not Abby
Gail does nothing but irritate viewers, and that's not the actress' fault – it's the writers'. In fact, she may be a sign of the most disappointing trend in modern television, and here's why.
The very first episode of The Last of Us Season 2 saw the debut of a new character who wasn't in the games – Joel's psychotherapist named Gail, Eugene's widow. The role was played by the star of Home Alone and Beetlejuice Catherine O'Hara.
Gail becomes a key character in helping Joel deal with his inner demons after the traumatic events of Season 1.
The Last of Us Fans Hate Gail Because of Lazy Writing
It would seem that the character of a psychotherapist treating other people's mental trauma should elicit unconditional sympathy from viewers, but it turned out to be just the opposite.
There may have never been a character in The Last of Us that fans hated more – and with good reason. As Reddit user sKullsHavezzz wrote:
“She's there to have characters wander up to her and tell her what they're feeling, so we the audience know. It's just stupid lazy writing and goes against the 'show, don't tell' rule.”
The Character of Gail Could Be an Indicator of Another Disappointing TV Trend
Other viewers speculate that Gail is not the result of lazy writing, but another frustrating trend in the TV industry that has arisen because people are often not paying full attention to the show, but instead are playing Subway Surf or scrolling through TikTok.
Redditor luchajefe commented:
“They do this on purpose because they know nobody physically watches. It's "second screen" entertainment.”
Unfortunately, this practice is not an exaggeration or a myth. Many are noticing the new trend: among others, The Guardian posted an article about how the industry caters to viewers who prefer to "second screen": watching their shows while doing something else. That's why some TV shows and movies seem deliberately simplified.
The Last of Us Role Was a Real Challenge for Catherine O'Hara
It should be noted, however, that such hostility toward the character is not the fault of the actress, but of the writers. Catherine O'Hara herself admitted that the role of Gail was more difficult than she expected.
She did not immediately realize that her character was experiencing deep personal pain over the loss of her husband, who was killed by Joel. In an interview with EW, the actress said:
“I've never had to cry so much for so many takes. It was killer.”
According to O'Hara, Gail not only helps Joel deal with his inner conflicts, but also brings out his vulnerability. She brings an element of dark humor to the dark world of the show that makes her character truly unique.
The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 5 is coming to Max on May 11.
