THE LAST OF US lost its chance to destroy THE WALKING DEAD.

The Last of Us season 2 killed off Joel, lost viewers, and proved why The Walking Dead is still the best zombie apocalypse show ever made. Here's why HBO's biggest gamble backfired, and what it means for season 3. We break down the season 2 premiere viewership drop, the Easter weekend excuse, and why losing Pedro Pascal's Joel so early left the show with a thin supporting cast. We also cover what HBO could have done differently, like saving Joel's death for the finale. Then we compare it with The Walking Dead, which lost Glenn, Hershel, Carl, and Rick Grimes and still held its audience. Negan, the Governor, Daryl, Carol, Michonne, and communities like Alexandria, Hilltop, and the Kingdom gave viewers subplots to follow beyond one lead. Finally, season 3: can Kaitlyn Dever's Abby work as the villain, will Ellie's revenge story bring back viewers who tuned out, and can the WLF, the Seraphites, and the Fireflies become the subplots the show needs? For fans of zombie TV, HBO dramas, and honest TV show analysis. Drop your take in the comments and subscribe for more breakdowns. #TheLastOfUs #TheWalkingDead #ZombieShows