Part 7/9:
The conversation among fans and streamers often circles back to the core plot and its infamous moments, such as Ellie getting bitten in front of Dana, a character whose pregnancy subplot was derided as nonsensical. Despite these narrative missteps, the franchise’s core themes of loss, vengeance, and survival continue to resonate, though now clouded by dissatisfaction with how the television adaptation evolved.
Notably, the series’ reputation is now intertwined with its controversial deviations, including the decision to sideline critical characters like Joel in Season 2. Fans nostalgically recall how the first season’s faithful adaptation was successful because it mirrored the original game’s beats exactly—an approach that ultimately stood as its strongest asset.