The Last Of Us Episode 2 Breaks HBO Viewership Records

The Last Of Us proves to be a win for HBO as Episode 2 breaks its viewership records. ComicBook.com relays the data from Nielsen that the second episode, entitled Infected boasts a 22% increase in viewers from the series premiere.

Episode 2 had 5.7 million viewers last Sunday, January 22, 2023. The episode has carved itself in the history of HBO as the largest week-two audience growth for an original drama series.

Furthermore, Episode 1 now has 18 million viewers from its premiere night. Evidently, more and more people are either catching up or re-watching the episode that even debuted with a 100% rating on the Tomatometer.

Game fans have expressed appreciation for how faithful the series is from its source. They expected no less as they know the people behind the HBO series are the very same key people in the creative backbone of the game.

The Last Of Us Episode 2 Best Record Yet For HBO

Chairman and CEO for HBO and HBO Max Content, Casey Bloys, stated after the series premiere:

We are thrilled to see fans of the series and game alike experience this iconic story in a new way, and we extend our gratitude to them for helping to make it a success.

The show is actually bringing people back to playing the game strengthening the interest of existing fans. At the same time, it is introducing new people into the IP. Definitely something Warner Bros Discovery, Sony Pictures Television and PlayStation Production would be celebrating. The CEO continued:

Congratulations to Craig, Neil and the brilliant cast and crew who worked tirelessly to bring this show to life. We look forward to fans around the world enjoying the rest of the season.

We agree that the cast and crew did brilliantly for the production, and if the reception of the first two episodes is any indication, the series is on its way to becoming among the best that HBO has in its library. Executive Producers Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann stated:

Our focus was simply to make the best possible adaptation of this beloved story for as big an audience as we could. We are overjoyed to see how many fans, both old and new, have welcomed The Last of Us into their homes and their hearts.

Many fans are happy to see the adaptation follow the game source very faithfully. There are even those that say it was too faithful that now they know what is going to happen.

Two sides of the same coin. But the fact still remains that the series is truly remarkable in its adaptation. That is one thing some live-action adaptations of games miss. Some by a long shot.

The Last Of Us Displays The Capacity Of HBO To Deliver Faithful Series

The Last Of Us Episode 2 First Look Released By HBO

Credit: HBO Max

Thankfully HBO opted to bring the original minds behind the game into the project fold. This is truly the best course of action in creating an adaptation of a book or a game into a series for television or movie for that matter.

Many projects are taking this route as well. Netflix’s The Sandman is one such example. This is also why I have great hopes for the upcoming Disney adaptation of Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians. People can only hope that live-action adaptations could take a page out of these highly appreciated projects.

Right now, fans are also appreciative online as to the performances of Game of Thrones alumni Pedro Pascal as Joel Miller and Bella Ramsey as Ellie Williams. New episodes air every Sunday on HBO and HBO Max, with the series finale coming on March 12, 2023.

Have you seen the episodes yet? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.

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