Abby’s Group in The Last of Us TV Show vs. Game: Major Differences Explained

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Warning: This article contains spoilers for The Last of Us season 2 and The Last of Us Part II.

In the second season of “The Last of Us,” Abby embarks on her vengeful journey accompanied by four companions. Notably, Abby’s group in the series shares some notable similarities and differences with their counterparts from the game. Both narratives portray Abby and her associates as former Fireflies, seeking to eliminate Joel for his brutal attack on their militia unit. However, Abby’s thirst for revenge against Joel is driven not only by the loss of her comrades but also by a deeply personal motive. In this tale, Abby’s father, Jerry, was not just a member of the Fireflies; he was a surgeon who had been working on finding a cure – a quest that came to an end the day Joel took action against their militia group.

In “The Last of Us Part II,” Abby’s team is called the Salt Lake group, made up of eight individuals in the video game. However, for the TV show, they focused on the five most crucial characters. Early in Seattle, Ellie kills Jordan immediately, while Nick and Leah meet their end off-screen (Nick at Tommy’s hands, Leah by the Seraphites). As a result, these characters don’t have much depth in the game. The TV show has chosen to portray only those with rich personalities and substantial storylines. But who are these characters and how do they differ from their game counterparts?

5. Abby

In the world of ‘The Last of Us’, Abby stands out as a pivotal figure within her crew, and that’s none other than Abby herself. Kaitlyn Dever takes on this role in season 2, following in the footsteps of Laura Bailey who held it in the video game. The release of ‘The Last of Us Part II’ sparked heated debates over Abby due to her complex character. While some players admired the innovative narrative and eventually found themselves sympathizing with Abby, others couldn’t look past her actions towards Joel and saw her solely as his killer. Regardless of the controversy, the TV show has stayed true to the character’s essence.

The TV show significantly alters Abby’s character by reducing her muscular physique. In contrast to Ellie, Abby’s imposing body structure in the game sets her apart and underscores the intense passion driving her revenge quest. For four years, she has meticulously sculpted her body into a relentless fighting machine, priming herself for her confrontation with Joel. Despite not being as muscular, Dever delivers an exceptional portrayal of Abby. Within the initial episodes alone, Dever effectively replicates the potency of Bailey’s performance: her fury, sorrow, raw power, hidden vulnerability.

In the TV show, the creators reveal significant details about Abby’s background at the start – she was a former Firefly, her father was a surgeon, and her motive for seeking revenge is the death of Joel. On the other hand, in the game, players initially have no clue about Abby when she kills Joel; they only know that she’s one of many adversaries he’s made during his life. However, as they follow Ellie on her quest for vengeance, they eventually learn about Abby’s perspective and understand that despite their differences in goals, they share common traits, making Abby seem more relatable and sympathetic from the beginning in the series.

4. Owen

After her father passed away, Abby found solace in her boyfriend, Owen, who is portrayed by Spencer Lord in the series. The tragedy struck when Abby was on the verge of falling deeply in love with Owen, but his relationship with her began shortly after her father’s death. However, Abby found it difficult to fully appreciate Owen’s presence and develop intimacy due to the lingering fear that Joel might return. Despite Owen’s persistent attempts, their relationship eventually fizzled out, and he started dating one of their mutual friends, Mel. Yet, Owen continues to harbor feelings for Abby.

As a dedicated fan, I must say that while the series hasn’t explicitly revealed Abby and Owen’s past romantic entanglements, it’s evident they share an unusually tight bond within their group. When Abby initially suggested tracking down Joel for revenge, it was none other than Owen who persuaded her to reconsider. This dynamic is strikingly similar in both the TV show and the game.

In both scenarios, upon reaching Jackson, Owen voices his desire to abandon the vengeance mission. In the series, this is due to their obvious disadvantage; however, in the game, it’s because he had just learned that Mel was expecting a child, and he didn’t want to put her or the unborn baby in harm’s way. This intriguing difference adds depth to their characters and keeps me eagerly anticipating each new episode.

3. Mel

In contrast to the other members of the Salt Lake team who are all soldiers, Mel, played by Ariela Barer, is a doctor. While she studied under Abby’s father and respected him as a mentor, leading her to seek revenge for his death, Mel isn’t as adept with violence as her peers. This is portrayed in the TV series when she frequently intervenes to prevent Abby from causing harm beyond Joel – she’s even reluctant to sedate Dina. As of the TV adaptation, it remains unclear if Mel is pregnant like her character in the game, but her pregnancy plays a significant role in the source material.

2. Manny

In “The Last of Us Part II,” the character Manny is portrayed by Danny Ramirez, who has recently gained recognition for his role as the MCU’s latest Falcon. Within the game, Manny shares living quarters with Abby and is recognized as one of the W.L.F.’s strongest soldiers alongside Abby, each having a significant number of victims. When the Wolves prepare for a significant military operation, Abby and Manny are selected to lead the assault. While some members of the Salt Lake crew express apprehension about Abby’s chosen killing method for Joel, Manny, a battle-hardened soldier, shares in Abby’s delight at exacting revenge just as much.

The television series omits one of Manny’s most disliked scenes from the game – where he spits on Joel’s body – as it discouraged numerous players from sympathizing with him. Remarkably, Ramirez closely resembles Manny physique-wise, even sporting the same facial hair that Manny’s father wants him to remove, and he has the charm to portray the character authentically. However, the series hasn’t shown it yet, but Manny is infamous for his promiscuity. When Abby reappears in the game, she’s found sleeping in the library, as Manny was engaging in a sexual encounter in their apartment at that time.

1. Nora

As a die-hard movie enthusiast, I’m excited to share that the fifth member of Abby’s squad, the resilient Nora, is brought to life by Tati Gabrielle, who’s also set to shine in Naughty Dog’s upcoming masterpiece, “Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.” Unlike Mel, Nora, our on-screen medic, boasts a combat background that has left her seemingly immune to the horrors of violence. In this game, Nora stands out as an unwavering protector for her comrades. When two of them mysteriously disappear, the relentless leader of the W.L.F., Isaac, attempts to extract information about their whereabouts from her. However, Nora holds strong and refuses to betray her friends. In a heart-pounding sequence, when Abby is apprehended and left shackled to an elevator for desertion, it’s Nora who springs into action, freeing Abby and providing her with the resources she needs to continue her journey.

Nora plays a crucial role in one of the most harrowing scenes from “The Last of Us Part II.” As Ellie goes on a destructive spree through Seattle, she encounters Nora and forces her to disclose Abby’s location. When Nora remains silent, Ellie resorts to torture until she breaks. This event marks a significant shift in Ellie’s character, as she forfeits her humanity and transforms into a monster. The trailer for “The Last of Us” season 2 hints that we’ll witness this pivotal moment before the conclusion. If it follows the game closely, it’s sure to be intense, but it will provide an opportunity for Gabrielle to deliver a standout performance.

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2025-04-27 12:59