Not for the first time, hit post-apocalyptic drama The Last of Us has been review-bombed online. A common thread of the criticism is the inclusion of fully fleshed-out queer characters and narratives.

Most recently, the fourth episode of season two featured Ellie, played by Bella Ramsey, and Dina (Isabela Merced) being open about their feelings for each other and having sex.

Dina also revealed that she was pregnant, prompting Ellie to say: “I’m going to be a dad.”

That moment has drawn criticism from viewers and contributed to the series getting a “generally unfavourable” score from, at time of reporting, 500 ratings on review aggregator Metacritic.

One person wrote: “I’m dropping this season, it’s just not worth it, the CGI is terrible. They will stretch this out unnecessarily to two seasons. Good luck being a dad, Ellie.”

Other viewers took aim at casting choices and acting abilities. But what comes up time and again is what appears to be thinly veiled homophobia and anger at Ellie being queer.

“I’m immune! I’m pregnant! Let’s finger-blast each other. Now I’m gonna be a dad,” one person mocked. Another proclaimed: “If you want to watch they/them autistic chicks make out, then this is the show is for you.”

Others branded the series “unwatchable” and “the worst show I’ve seen for a long time”. One viewer’s feelings weren’t veiled at all and they claimed: “[The show] was made only to spread the agenda.”

That person added “0/10”, but didn’t seem to realise they’d given it a seven on Metacritic, meaning it’s been counted as a positive review.

Meanwhile, someone else took issue with the show bumping off Pedro Pascal’s character, Joel, despite the fact that that happens early on in the video game on which season two is based.

“Killing off a beloved character for cheap reason is the final nail,” they wrote.

Despite some of the negative reviews, the series has continued to please lots of fans.

“Still one of the best shows out there, emulating one of the best games ever made. Great cast and great writing,” one happy viewer said.

Another said: “Really amazing show. The characters and story line are so well-developed. Only folks who are incapable of understanding that stuff wouldn’t see how well-made this is.”

Someone else took aim at the review-bombers, writing: “Love how these morons are incapable of boycotting the things they don’t like. If they were, the second game wouldn’t have sold so well, the show wouldn’t get such good ratings.

“The writing, acting, characterisation and pacing has been very good and we haven’t even gotten to the best action set-pieces of the game. Needless to say, I’m very excited. Great game, great show.”

Users of Rotten Tomatoes certainly seem fairly impressed by season two, with a 95 per cent rating from critics and 44 per cent from viewers, although negative reviewers there also took issue with the “agenda” being pushed.

The first season of the show also drew criticism for its queerness, notably after the third episode, “Long, Long Time,” which expanded on the relationship between Bill (Nick Offerman) and Frank (Murray Bartlett).

The Last of Us airs on Sundays on HBO in the US, and the following day on Sky Atlantic in the UK.