Spoiler Alert: This article contains spoilers for The Last of Us season 2.

Summary

  • Fans expressed mixed feelings about season 2 of The Last of Us, longing for the inclusion of the thrilling Rat King scene.
  • Co-creators hinted at the potential appearance of the Rat King in season 3, sparking excitement among fans for the upcoming episodes.
  • The absence of the Rat King from season 2 left fans wanting more, hoping to see this terrifying figure brought to life in the next season for an intensified viewing experience.

Thanks to its massively successful first season, it was no wonder that HBO renewed The Last of Us for season 3. When the show returned in April 2025, fans got their first look at Abby (Kaitlyn Dever) and caught up with Ellie (Bella Ramsey) while anticipating the big moment when tragedy would strike Joel (Pedro Pascal). There's no denying that many consider Joel's death to be one of the saddest on any TV show and it was tough to watch, even though people knew it was coming.

While it's great to hear that The Last of Us season 3 might be coming out soon, fans didn't love every moment of the second season, and they have some thoughts about how the story should continue. When reflecting on the events and characters of season 2, it's hard not to wish that one unforgettable and haunting element of the game had been included.

Dina and Ellie in The Last of Us Season 2
The Last of Us Season 2’s Isabela Merced Reveals One Dina and Ellie Scene Wasn’t in the Script, Preferring To Improvise It Instead

Isabela Merced has revealed that one of her scenes with Ellie in The Last of Us Season 2 was completely improvised.

By 

The Last Of Us Season 2 Didn't Include The Rat King Scene, But Could Season 3?

the last of us season 2 bella ellie
A still from 'The Last of Us' Season 2.

While fans wondered if The Last of Us season 2 would include the Rat King, and those who have played The Last of Us Part 2 know how brutal and gruesome this figure is, they didn't appear. However, the rat king may show up in season 3. In an interview with Deadline, co-creator and showrunner Craig Mazin said:

“Rats, what should we talk about?”

Co-creator and co-showrunner Neil Druckmann added:

“You know, there’s a certain crane that you’re seeing in Episode 7 that is very telling.”

The Last of Us season 2's seven episodes were well-done, but it's hard not to wish that the rat king scene had been featured in one of these episodes. For one thing, the image is horrifying, and it would have been cool to see this figure brought to life. For another, the rat king could have been part of the season 2 finale, or at least hinted at. If fans got even a brief glimpse of the rat king, that would have made for an even better ending, and could have suggested the horrors to come next season.

However, since Mazin and Druckmann hinted at the rat king being in The Last of Us season 3, now fans can look forward to seeing them. The promise of the rat king scene could build some more hype and anticipation for next season. Although season 2 had some solid moments, no episode matched the emotions of season 1's "Long, Long Time," and season 3 should raise the stakes even more. Showing the terrifying rat king would be a step in the right direction. Of course, they would have to look somewhat realistic, and they would also likely need to kill a few characters. Otherwise, they might not make that big of an impression.

Abby outside in The Last Of Us Season 2

While some fans thought that the rat king would be included in The Last of Us season 2, others were sure that this famous part of the game would only show up in season 3. Redditor @Friendly_Zebra wrote:

"The Rat King is an Abby enemy so I don’t think we’ll see it until Season 3."

Redditor @hyperfixationss agreed:

"I think we’re more likely to see it in season 3... Because it happens later in Abby’s story. That said, I think it’ll likely be full CGI or a combo of practical and CGI."

While there has been a lot of backlash against Abby's inclusion in season 2, there's no denying that Kaitlyn Dever gave an amazing performance, and it would be fascinating to see Abby face the rat king in The Last of Us season 3. One Redditor thinks it's a great idea to save the rat king scene for next season. The fan wrote, "I hope they build up Abby’s character a lot and don’t rush to get to the rat king scene."

One thing is for sure, fans definitely hope that they will see the rat king because this would be a terrifying and memorable image. Redditor @ThisIsYourMormont put it perfectly:

"The infected are far more deadly in the show than in the game. I don’t see how anyone could survive the Rat king. At best it will have to be a chase scene, where it’s killed by a building collapse etc."

Rating block community and brand ratings Image
01564613_poster_w780.jpg

The Last of Us
Display card tags widget
TV-MA
Drama
Action
Horror
Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget
Release Date
January 15, 2023
Network
HBO
Showrunner
Craig Mazin
Display card main info widget end Display card media widget start
imagery-from-The-Last-Of-Us
3 Images
imagery-from-The-Last-Of-Us
Gabriel Luna as Tommy looking to the side next to Bella Ramsey looking shocked in The Last of Us
Ellie wanders through an abandoned building with a gun in The Last Of Us season 2
Display card media widget end

Cast

See All
  • instar53504431.jpg
    Pedro Pascal
    Joel Miller
  • instar53365426.jpg
    Bella Ramsey
    Ellie Williams

WHERE TO WATCH

Streaming
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info

Directors
Craig Mazin, Peter Hoar, Jeremy Webb, Ali Abbasi, Mark Mylod, Stephen Williams, Jasmila Žbanić, Liza Johnson, Nina Lopez-Corrado
Writers
Neil Druckmann, Craig Mazin, Halley Wegryn Gross
Franchise(s)
The Last of Us
Creator(s)
Neil Druckmann, Craig Mazin
The Last of Us Season 2’s Finale stadium
The Last of Us Season 2’s Finale Hides an Awesome Game of Thrones Easter Egg

The Last of Us season 2's finale scene with Abby has a pretty cool Game of Thrones connection.

By