Having witnessed only two episodes featuring Kaitlyn Dever as Abby and the return of Pedro Pascal as Joel, I quickly grasped the depth of emotions involved in their narratives. Although the rapidity of Joel’s death surprised me, given Pascal’s popularity in the series, the moment Abby disclosed Joel’s identity to her peers signaled his impending doom. This pivotal twist raises the question of morality: it’s challenging to harbor positive feelings toward Abby in that moment, considering the audience’s affection for Joel. Yet, without the foundational knowledge from the games, it’s hard to fathom the extent of hatred directed towards Abby based solely on her complex motivations in the show.
Abby’s Killing of Joel: A Brutal Act Fueled by Justified Rage
Abby: A Complex Character Struggling in a Violent World
In season 2 of *The Last of Us*, Abby emerges as a multidimensional antagonist. After engaging in a relentless five-year quest for vengeance against Joel, her actions might seem unforgivable to some viewers. However, her underlying anger showcases her complexity—a young soldier, fueled by rage, grappling with a world steeped in violence and loss. Her upbringing in this harsh environment has clouded her perspective, leaving her with little else but a thirst for revenge.
While Abby can slay the infected without hesitation, her emotional turmoil stems from the human loss she has witnessed. The brutal end of episode two highlights this: though her act of killing Joel is unjustifiable, her fury is understandable. Joel’s actions resulted in the deaths of 18 individuals, including defenseless doctors, when he chose to save Ellie.
The moral complexities of Joel’s decisions further complicate the narrative. Was his mass killing justifiable to protect an innocent teenager? Did the Fireflies make the right choice in planning to sacrifice Ellie for the potential of a cure? Joel’s motivations are layered, contrasting sharply with Abby’s revenge-driven actions, which are fundamentally based on her father’s murder at Joel’s hands.
Initially, I anticipated a one-dimensional villain in Abby, void of redemption. Yet, her emotional monologue prior to Joel’s death evokes sympathy, illustrating the turmoil she has endured. While the earlier games portrayed Abby with a harsher light, I believe *HBO’s The Last of Us* has rendered her a more intricate and relatable character, deserving of a different reception than what she faced in the games. It’s important to recognize her humanity within the confines of her actions.
A Life Dedicated to Revenge
Driven by Grief: Abby’s Journey Through Loss
Image via Max
Although Abby’s violent actions cannot be condoned, they can be explained within the context of her experiences. In a post-apocalyptic world where survival hinges on aggression, her singular focus has become revenge following her father’s death. After enduring such a personal tragedy, her struggle for survival is intertwined with her quest for retribution against Joel.
As suggested in the preview for *The Last of Us* season 2, episode 3, Ellie is poised to embark on a journey parallel to Abby’s—one that revolves around her response to witnessing Joel’s murder. The complexities of their interwoven fates signify a broader narrative about grief, vengeance, and the cyclical nature of violence, reinforcing Abby’s motivations.
Understanding Abby’s Actions: A Deeper Dive into Her Character
Abby: A More Compassionate Villain Than Initially Perceived
Comparatively, Abby’s portrayal in the game is more gruesome; she lacks the soliloquy explaining her motivations before killing Joel, leading to a more villainous depiction. This likely contributed to the negative perception she garnered among players as they continued through Ellie’s quest for revenge. However, just like the series, Abby’s motivations gradually become apparent throughout the game. While they do not justify her violence, they reveal her emotional struggles.
The series presents *The Last of Us* as a poignant narrative filled with morally ambiguous characters. Abby’s revelations challenge viewers to empathize not only with Joel and Ellie but also with their adversaries. The disdain directed toward her often resembles that reserved for iconic antagonists in other series, yet Abby’s actions do not reach the same levels of cruelty. Unlike characters like Joffrey from *Game of Thrones*, Abby seems to relinquish her vengeful desires after achieving her aim against Joel.
Moreover, Abby’s journey can be compared to that of Negan from *The Walking Dead*, who also faced backlash for notorious killings. However, while Negan’s motivations were steeped in malevolence, Abby’s actions stem from profound grief. Though Abby’s choices are regrettable, they are deeply rooted in personal loss and desperation: she channels her pain into anger against someone she perceives as a monster. As *The Last of Us* season 2 unfolds, my perspective on Abby might evolve, but the intense backlash she faces appears unwarranted, especially under the current narrative framework.