Warning: This article contains spoilers for The Last of Us Season 2, Episode 1, and The Last of Us Part II.
Introducing Abby: A Quest for Vengeance in The Last of Us Season 2
In the highly anticipated premiere of The Last of Us Season 2, we meet Kaitlyn Dever’s character, Abby, who boldly declares her intent to kill Joel. However, the reasoning behind her vendetta remains shrouded in mystery at the onset. The episode, titled “Future Days,” is set five years after Season 1’s climactic events, but it begins with a poignant scene showing the aftermath of Joel’s actions from the Season 1 finale. In a desolate field near the Salt Lake City hospital, Abby, along with the surviving Fireflies, holds a somber burial for their deceased comrades following Joel’s violent outburst.
While Abby’s companions consider relocating to a new settlement led by a man named Isaac in Seattle, she remains fixated on her singular goal: finding Joel and exacting her revenge. Although her friends are grieving the loss of their fellow Fireflies, Abby’s motivation runs deeper. Her desire for vengeance is intensely personal, rooted in the tragic fate of her father.
The Tragic Connection: Joel Killed Abby’s Father
Jerry Anderson: The Surgeon and His Fate
Abby’s animosity towards Joel is primarily fueled by her need to avenge her father, Jerry Anderson, who was the surgeon about to perform a life-threatening operation on Ellie in the hope of developing a cure. In a heart-wrenching twist, Joel, unable to lose another daughter figure after experiencing profound loss, goes on a rampage that culminates in the brutal murder of Jerry Anderson, leaving Abby shattered.
For the following four years, culminating in the timeline of the show, Abby’s life becomes a relentless pursuit of Joel, her mind consumed with thoughts of revenge. Olivia learns through whispers that Joel’s brother Tommy last resided in Jackson, Wyoming, prompting Abby and her friends to embark on this quest fueled by vengeance.
Abby’s Presence During Season 1: The Backstory Unveiled
A Silent Observer in the Background
Though Abby did not physically appear in The Last of Us Season 1, her presence was deeply woven into the events surrounding the hospital scene. Flashbacks in The Last of Us Part II reveal that while Joel and Ellie approached St. Mary’s Hospital, Abby and her father were in a nearby park, caring for a wounded zebra that had escaped. This event highlights the immediate human ties that unknowingly bind the characters, setting the stage for Abby’s later quest for retribution.
The Consequence of Vengeance: Does Abby Succeed?
Abby Kills Joel: A Moment of Reckoning
Indeed, Abby follows through on her ominous promise to kill Joel slowly. The series has significantly mirrored the events of The Last of Us Part II in this regard. Abby lures Joel into a trap where, upon capturing him, she fires a shotgun into his leg, prevents him from bleeding out under the care of her friend Mel, a skilled surgeon, and then proceeds to bludgeon him to death with a golf club.
However, the brutal confrontation does not bring Abby the satisfaction she anticipated. Instead, she is left feeling hollow, highlighting the central theme of The Last of Us: revenge and violence do not lead to healing or closure. This lesson becomes integral to the upcoming episodes as Ellie seeks out Abby to avenge Joel, whose loss propels her into a cycle of vengeance.
The emotional and complex narrative of Season 2 unfolds weekly on HBO, with viewers keenly watching each Sunday to witness these riveting developments.
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