WARNING: This article contains spoilers from The Last of Us season 2, episode 1 and the video game The Last of Us Part II

The much-anticipated return of The Last of Us has arrived, with fans set to enjoy seven new episodes, a shorter run than its previous season.

The first episode, titled Future Days, begins in the immediate aftermath of Joel Miller's (played by Pedro Pascal) horrific hospital massacre as he rescues Ellie (Bella Ramsey), before leaping forward five years to their settlement in Jackson, Wyoming.

Joel and Ellie find themselves at odds following his deception about the true events that unfolded at the hospital, with the teen aware that something is amiss.

In addition, the former smuggler is seen attending therapy sessions as he grapples with Ellie's growing emotional estrangement, reports the Mirror US.

The episode also introduces a character named Eugene, the husband of Joel's therapist Gail (Catherine O'Hara), who Joel killed under unexplained circumstances.

The opening episode has left many fans deeply moved, prompting a flurry of reactions on social media regarding the season two premiere, Future Days.

One viewer shared on X (formerly Twitter): "I'm still crying my heart fell out through my butt I feel like I've been stabbed [sic]."

Another queried if "the Thing happened", to which the original poster replied: "no but they still managed to devastate me entirely [sic]."

A third fan lamented: "I'm just going to cry forever," while another admitted: "i literally started crying during the RECAP. this season isn't gonna go well for me. #TheLastOfUsS2 [sic]."

One viewer observed: "Joel really had such a hard life. He raised his daughter on his own, then lost her in his arms and spent 20 years of his life immersed only in pain and guilt.

"Then he couldn't allow himself to fully love tess, then lost her. He met ellie and saved her only to then lose her too #tlou [sic]."

Another fan passionately declared: "HE DESERVED TO BE HAPPY [sic]."

The character Abby Anderson (Kaitlyn Dever), who sought vengeance against Joel for killing the doctor operating on Ellie in the first season, also drew comments.

Abby chillingly told her friends they would "kill him slowly" upon finding him, a statement that those familiar with the video game recognised as deeply foreboding.

One apprehensive viewer confessed: "I'm so scared and my mom and stepdad don't know what's going to happen but I do and I'm not prepared for it."

Another echoed the sentiment, exclaiming: "IM NOT READY TO SEE IT A SECOND TIME [sic].

"Is it too much to hope that the producers of the show learn from the game's mistakes and will have Abby die at the end of the season?" pondered a third.

A different fan warned: "To the non gamers I hope they are mentally ready for this gut wrenching episode [sic]."

With HBO recently confirming the commission of a third season, the future looks promising for the popular series.

The second season serves as an adaptation of Naughty Dog's video game The Last of Us Part II, which is twice as long as its predecessor.

It appears that the second season of the HBO series will only adapt half of the game's storyline, with the third season expected to cover the remaining narrative.

However, the show's creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann have previously voiced their ambition for a four-season arc for The Last of Us.

HBO has not yet confirmed whether the third season will be the final one, leaving viewers eagerly anticipating how the story will unfold.

The Last of Us season 2 airs on HBO in the USA on Sundays and on Sky Atlantic and NOW in UK on Mondays