The Last of Us Season 2 “cliffhanger” rumor worries fans

The Last of Us Season 2 is rumored to have a big difference from the first season, and it’s left fans concerned about the possibility of it ending on a cliffhanger.

HBO’s landmark series set a new standard for video game adaptations. It recognized the untouchable merits of the source material, while meaningfully expanding on other elements; Bill and Frank’s heartbreaking episode is the best example.

So, there’s a lot of speculation around how Season 2 will adapt the brilliant Part II, one of the most ambitious (and notorious) stories in all of gaming – and more specifically, how it will handle Abby.

With filming about to kick off on the second season, a new rumor may indicate how The Last of Us will approach the next chapter. Warning: likely spoilers for Season 2 to follow.

The Last of Us Season 2 rumored to be shorter than Season 1

The Last of Us Season 2 will have just seven episodes, according to insider Daniel Richtman, with the sequel reportedly being adapted across two seasons.

This is two episodes shorter than Season 1, which adapted the entirety of the first game – right up to its iconic closing scene with Joel and Ellie overlooking the Jackson camp.

Part II is a much larger game. It picks up with Joel and Ellie four years later; Ellie knows Joel lied about the Fireflies, and their relationship hasn’t recovered. Just as they start to reconnect, Joel’s good deed is very much punished: he rescues a stranger from a horde in the middle of a blizzard… who happens to be Abby, the daughter of the doctor he killed in the first game, and he’s just who’s she’s been looking for.

After she murders Joel, Ellie travels to Seattle to avenge his death. Then the game pulls the rug from underneath you: it pivots to Abby, forcing you to play through her own story before the pair collide.

So, if Season 2 has seven episodes, fans are predicting two possible cliffhangers: it’ll either end on Joel’s death or Ellie and Abby facing off in the theater.

“The second season will probably end like this,” one user wrote, with a still of Abby pointing a gun at Tommy’s head. “What scene y’all think Season 2 will end at? IMO I think it when Ellie and Abby both end up in the theater,” another wrote.

“Oh yeah, they definitely ending Season 2 with THAT cliffhanger,” a third wrote with a golf emoji (if you know, you know). “Def gonna end with Abby’s intro then Season 3 will start Seattle Day 1,” another posted. “Seven episodes? There’s no way they can do that whole game in seven episodes. I wouldn’t be surprised if they only get as far as the big early spoiler, and show a lot more of what happens in Jackson before the game starts,” a fifth wrote.

You can find out everything else we know about The Last of Us Season 2 here.