The premiere of The Last of Us Season 2 on April 13, 2025, on HBO and Max has solidified its status as a cultural juggernaut, drawing 32 million viewers in its first season and earning 24 Emmy nominations. Adapting the 2020 video game The Last of Us Part II, the show dives deeper into Ellie (Bella Ramsey) and Joel’s (Pedro Pascal) post-apocalyptic journey, introducing Dina (Isabela Merced) and Abby (Kaitlyn Dever). However, the second episode, aired April 20, 2025, has sparked outrage among some LGBTQ+ fans who claim the show isn’t “gay enough” after a lesbian sex scene between Ellie and Dina was cut. Fueled by X posts and media coverage, the controversy highlights tensions between fidelity to the game’s queer narrative and HBO’s creative choices. This article explores the backlash, the show’s queer representation, and why this debate is dominating 2025’s pop culture landscape.
The Heart of the Controversy
The uproar centers on the omission of a scene from The Last of Us Part II where Ellie and Dina share an intimate moment in a weed shop in Seattle, described by fans as a lesbian sex scene. In the game, this occurs early in Ellie’s arc, showcasing her relationship with Dina, a bisexual woman, after they kiss at a Jackson dance. The scene, set in a dilapidated marijuana dispensary, is a tender exploration of their bond, with Ellie and Dina smoking weed, bonding over music, and consummating their romance. It’s a pivotal moment, praised for its authenticity and rarity in mainstream gaming, as noted by TheGamer.
In The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 2, “Through the Valley,” this scene is absent, replaced by a chaotic sequence where Jackson faces an infected horde, triggered by Abby’s avalanche, culminating in a major character’s death. LGBTQ+ fans expressed dismay on X, with @ReneeHarrison13 lamenting the cut of “SO much queer content,” including the weed shop scene, arguing it undermines Ellie and Dina’s “you go, I go” bond. @theBGCG called it an “important moment of queer tenderness,” frustrated by its removal in a battle-heavy episode. @yaoimantic labeled it “lesbian erasure,” questioning showrunner Neil Druckmann’s choice. Breitbart reported that “LGBTQ+ activists” are “ripping” HBO, citing PinkNews’ concern that Ellie and Dina’s romance may remain “unrealized.”
Why the Scene Was Cut
HBO’s decision to cut the weed shop scene likely stems from narrative pacing and tonal constraints. Part II’s 25-30-hour runtime allows for slower, character-driven moments, but Season 2’s seven episodes must condense the story. Episode 2 focuses on a devastating plot twist—Abby’s killing of a key character—prompting showrunners Craig Mazin and Druckmann to prioritize action and emotional weight, as Mazin told Esquire. PinkNews suggests the early placement of this event left little room for the weed shop scene, though it may appear later. The episode’s siege of Jackson, with bloaters and exploding gas barrels, aligns with HBO’s action-driven style, seen in Season 1’s Kansas City battle.
The scene’s explicit nature also posed challenges. While Part II’s weed shop moment is intimate but not graphic, adapting it for TV risked backlash, given the characters’ youth (Ellie and Dina are 19). HBO faced similar scrutiny for Season 1’s Bill-Frank episode, which some called a “gay agenda” despite its critical acclaim. Mazin may have opted for caution, especially after Part II’s 2020 review-bombing over Ellie’s queerness and Lev’s trans identity. However, some X users, like @SuperChesse, praised the cut as “unnecessary” for the plot, showing divided sentiment.
The Show’s Queer Legacy
The Last of Us has been a beacon for queer representation since the 2014 Left Behind DLC, which established Ellie as a lesbian via her kiss with Riley. Part II deepened this with Ellie and Dina’s romance, a central arc praised by queer fans, though some criticized Lev’s “deadnaming” as tokenistic. Season 1 adapted Left Behind in Episode 7, showing Ellie and Riley’s kiss, and featured Bill and Frank’s gay love story, earning a GLAAD Outstanding New Series award in 2024. Season 2 introduces Dina, with their Episode 1 dance kiss—a direct lift from the game—celebrated by fans on Out.com. Bella Ramsey, a queer actor, expressed excitement for Ellie’s lesbian arc, telling L’Officiel it’s “really nice” to explore.
Despite these efforts, some LGBTQ+ fans feel shortchanged. @Shangaycom reported fan anger over the cut scene, warning of spoilers, while @YellowFlashGuy amplified Breitbart’s claim that “LGBTQ fans are FURIOUS.” TheGamer argued the show must reflect Ellie and Dina’s queerness beyond fleeting moments, as the game’s Seattle scenes let players “see who they are as people.” The absence of the weed shop scene, alongside other cut queer moments like the synagogue scene, has led some, like @ReneeHarrison13, to fear HBO is diluting Ellie’s identity.
Counterarguments and Support
Not all reactions condemn HBO. Some fans and critics argue the cut was narratively justified, given Episode 2’s focus on a pivotal death that shocked TV-only viewers, as The New York Times noted. Polygon praised a small change in the death’s setup, enhancing Abby’s arc, suggesting HBO prioritized emotional impact over side scenes. Mazin hinted to PinkNews that the Ellie-Dina moment might appear later, preserving hope for queer fans. The show’s queer representation remains robust, with Dina’s bisexuality (played by fluid actor Isabela Merced) and non-binary actor Noah Lamanna as Kat, Ellie’s ex. Tati Gabrielle, as Nora, told Out.com she values the “non-cookie-cutter” representation, urging LGBTQ+ fans to stay vocal.
The backlash also faces criticism for exaggeration. @CowgirlEsq mocked the “not gay enough” narrative with humor, while TheGamer noted Part II is “very queer,” making HBO’s omissions less egregious in context. The show’s 91% Rotten Tomatoes audience score for Season 1 and strong Episode 1 buzz suggest most viewers are engaged, with queer fans like @AsurmenLord on X calling the controversy overblown. The game’s 10 million sales and 300+ awards prove its queer narrative resonated, and HBO’s adaptation hasn’t shied from this legacy, as Forbes defended against Season 1’s homophobic critiques.
Broader Context and Challenges
The controversy reflects gaming and TV’s culture wars, echoing Oblivion Remastered’s body-type mod ban or Marvel’s X-Men delays. HBO’s decision may balance appeasing queer fans with avoiding the 2020 Part II backlash, where Ellie’s relationship and Lev’s identity sparked Metacritic review-bombing (3.4/10 user score). Naughty Dog’s copyright strikes against YouTube critics discussing “progressive themes” fueled that fire, a risk HBO likely considered. The inclusion of an ASL interpreter, mocked by some, underscores HBO’s accessibility push, praised by disability advocates but adding to the “woke” critique from detractors.
Adapting Part II’s sprawling narrative into seven episodes is daunting, as Rolling Stone noted, comparing Joel’s death to Game of Thrones’ Ned Stark’s. Mazin and Druckmann could have delayed the death, but chose early impact, per the LA Times, leaving less room for quieter moments like the weed shop scene. The show’s action-heavy approach, with bloaters and infected sieges, sometimes mimics game levels, which may overshadow character-driven scenes, as AV Club critiqued.
Implications and Outlook
The “not gay enough” backlash highlights the tightrope HBO walks: honoring Part II’s queer legacy while navigating mainstream TV constraints. The Ellie-Dina kiss in Episode 1, lauded by Out.com, and Ramsey’s enthusiasm suggest HBO isn’t erasing queerness, but pacing issues may frustrate fans expecting the game’s depth. The controversy, amplified by Breitbart and X posts, risks overshadowing the show’s strengths—32 million viewers, critical acclaim, and a 91% Episode 1 score. PinkNews’ hope for a later weed shop scene offers optimism, but HBO’s silence leaves fans speculating.
As The Last of Us Season 2 unfolds, its ability to balance action, loss, and queer love will shape its legacy. The backlash, while vocal, mirrors Part II’s 2020 divide, where a minority’s outrage didn’t derail its success. Whether HBO delivers Ellie and Dina’s full story or not, the show remains a bold exploration of humanity—queer and otherwise—in a broken world. Tune in to see if Cyrodiil’s gates open wider for love amidst the infected.
