The conclusion of The Last of Us Season 2, Episode 2 is a poignant moment as Abby, despite her initial intent, spares Ellie’s life. Following a brief and slower-paced premiere, which reintroduced fans to the aftermath of the first season five years later, this episode escalates with action-packed sequences. As the plot unfolds, Abby finds herself pursued by a horde of infected creatures, only to be rescued by Joel, who is patrolling alongside Dina. The trio makes a narrow escape from the relentless infected, who later assault Jackson, showcasing the ever-present threat in this post-apocalyptic world.
Seeking refuge from the cold, Joel reluctantly enters a lodge with Abby’s group. Though his instincts drive him to return to Jackson to confront the infected, Abby has other motivations. In a shocking twist at the end of Episode 2, Abby kills Joel right in front of Ellie, mirroring a controversial moment from the The Last of Us Part II game. This scene marks a significant and heart-wrenching turning point in the narrative, positioning Abby as a revenge-driven character yet still allowing for Ellie’s survival.
Abby’s Mission: A Quest for Revenge
The Gruesome Murder of Joel
Season 2 opens with Abby and her group mourning the fallen Fireflies, victims of Joel’s actions from the Season 1 finale—where he slaughtered those at the hospital to save Ellie. In a pivotal revelation, Abby shares that the doctor meant to operate on Ellie was her father, killed by Joel. This backstory fuels Abby’s thirst for vengeance, making it clear that the primary target for her group is Joel.
Notably, Abby’s group does not devastate Ellie and others inexplicitly during their mission. Despite capturing Dina, they choose merely to sedate her for a short time. Once Ellie unexpectedly enters the lodge, rather than harming her, Abby’s group redirects their focus, holding Ellie down while Abby asserts her revenge by killing Joel. The mission, driven by vengeance, reaches its peak, leaving no further need for violence against Ellie or Dina.
Mixed Loyalties in Abby’s Group
Ellie’s Resistance Against the Assailants
Dina’s incapacitation gives Abby the upper hand to carry out her revenge. Yet, she is caught off-guard when Ellie bursts into the room, fiercely defending Joel. During this scuffle, Ellie manages to inflict a minor wound to Manny, played by Danny Ramirez, highlighting her resolve to protect her friends. Despite Ellie’s threats, Abby’s crew is reluctant to escalate violence against her, primarily because their mission centers on Joel.
Manny’s desire to eliminate Ellie contrasts significantly with the other group members who prefer to adhere to their mission parameters. Abby, absorbed in her revenge, chooses to disregard Ellie completely after killing Joel. As the group vacates the lodge, Ellie pledges to seek vengeance, which is met with indifference from Abby and her coalition.
Implications of Abby’s Mercy
A Reckoning Approaches: Ellie’s Path of Revenge
In her confrontation with Joel, Abby explains her allegiances to the Washington Liberation Front, a militia with a strict code against harming the defenseless. However, in her pursuit of retribution, she breaks this code for Joel without intention to extend that violence to others, especially Ellie, whom she decides to spare as she cannot fight back.
This act of mercy, however, may prove detrimental, as Ellie is likely to pursue Abby to exact her own revenge. Should the narrative align with the game’s storyline, Ellie, accompanied by Dina and Tommy, may embark on a quest to hunt Abby and her companions down, raising ethical questions about Abby’s choices and their potential fallout.