Spoiler Alert: This article contains spoilers for The Last of Us season 2.
Summary
Thanks to its massively successful first season, it was no wonder that HBO renewedThe Last of Usfor 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) whileanticipating the big moment when tragedy would strike Joel (Pedro Pascal). There’s no denying that many consider Joel’s death to beone of the saddest on any TV showand it was tough to watch, even though people knew it was coming.
While it’s great to hear thatThe Last of Usseason 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.
The Last Of Us Season 2 Didn’t Include The Rat King Scene, But Could Season 3?
Whilefans wondered ifThe Last of Usseason 2 would include theRat King, and those who have playedThe Last of Us Part 2knowhow brutal and gruesome this figure is, they didn’t appear. However,the rat king may show up in season 3. In an interview withDeadline, 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 Usseason 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 ofthe 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 inThe Last of Usseason 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,“andseason 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.
Fans Debated Whether The Rat King Would Be Featured In The Last Of Us Season 2
While some fans thought that the rat king would be included inThe Last of Usseason 2,others were sure that this famous part of the game would only show up in season 3.Redditor @Friendly_Zebrawrote:
“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 ofbacklash against Abby’s inclusion in season 2, there’s no denying thatKaitlyn Dever gave an amazing performance, and it would be fascinating to see Abby face the rat king inThe Last of Usseason 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.”
