Warning: Spoilers ahead for The Last Of Us season 2 & The Last of Us Part II game! The character Abby made a significant reappearance in The Last of Us season 2 during the finale episode, which subtly set the stage for an essential scene in season 3. Kaitlyn Dever’s portrayal of Abby in The Last of Us season 2 was crucial to the narrative, despite her limited screen time. After she dramatically killed Joel in the second episode of season 2, Abby was absent from the screen until the finale. Given the direction the story for The Last of Us season 3 seems to be taking, fans can expect Abby to play a prominent role, especially if the HBO series continues to closely follow the storyline of The Last of Us Part II.

In the gripping finale of season 2, while Ellie and Jesse searched for Tommy, the seemingly cryptic clues provided by Nora referencing Abby’s “whale” and “wheel” became clear. Ellie deduced that Abby was hiding in the aquarium in Seattle, prompting her to abandon her mission with Jesse to confront her there. Although Ellie did not find Abby, she nevertheless killed both Owen and Mel at the aquarium before being escorted back to the theater by Jesse and Tommy, where they faced an enraged Abby. The climactic ending of season 2 featuring Abby also dropped intriguing hints regarding the upcoming season.

The Significance of Abby’s Neck Bruise in The Last Of Us Season 2’s Finale

Abby Encountered Additional Foes Before Reaching The Theater

Upon reaching the aquarium, Abby discovered her allies dead and stumbled upon a map that indicated the location of their killer. Although the fate of Tommy and Dina remains uncertain, it is confirmed that Abby shot and killed Jesse just as she confronted Ellie. During this tense encounter, Abby exchanged heated words with Ellie, which escalated to Abby firing her weapon right before the screen faded to black. Amidst the chaos, many viewers may have overlooked the detail that Abby bore a bruise around her neck, which appeared to have been caused by a noose.

Prior to that dramatic moment in the theater, very little was revealed about Abby’s actions while Ellie and Dina navigated Seattle. Abby was driven by a need to seek vengeance for Owen and Mel’s deaths, intensifying her anger when she discovered that Ellie was involved. While it was understandable for Abby to feel fury towards Ellie amidst the continual violence, it is essential to note that Ellie’s group was not the only threat she faced, as evidenced by the bruise on her neck, which hints at a significant narrative moment for The Last of Us season 3.

Anticipating the Revelation of Abby’s Neck Injury in The Last Of Us Season 3

Abby’s Confrontation with The Scars in The Last Of Us Part II Game

As we look ahead to The Last of Us season 3, it is evident that Abby’s narrative will be central to the unfolding story. The upcoming season aims to bridge the gaps by providing insights into Abby’s activities during those crucial three days in Seattle. Following the tense cliffhanger involving Ellie and Abby, season 2 concluded with a tantalizing “Day One” teaser that showed Abby regaining consciousness in the WLF’s stadium compound, effectively restarting that segment of the story from Abby’s perspective. For those familiar with the game, The Last of Us Part II, they will recognize Abby’s storyline, including the circumstances behind her neck bruise.

In the context of the show, Isaac had devised a strategy for the WLF to assault the Seraphite Island, with hopes that Abby would lead this offensive. However, Abby’s focus was primarily on locating Owen, who had gone missing after allegedly killing his patrol partner to save one of the Scars. While on her quest to find Owen, Abby found herself captured by the Scars and was nearly killed in a ritualistic sacrifice orchestrated by the Seraphites. She was hung with a noose and was on the verge of being disemboweled, a method that mirrors the gruesome execution style seen in The Last of Us season 2.

Before the Scars could complete their ritualistic intentions, two significant outcasts from the Seraphite faction, Yara and Lev, intervened. Abby was on the brink of suffocation due to the noose around her neck, but the siblings managed to cut the rope, allowing her to escape. This encounter was not the end of Abby’s journey with Yara and Lev in The Last of Us Part II, though it remains uncertain how much of the sequel’s narrative will be incorporated into the HBO series. Nevertheless, the bruises on Abby’s neck suggest she narrowly escaped being hanged, indicating that elements of the game’s storyline are likely to be featured in season 3.

The Confusion Surrounding Abby’s Injury and Ellie’s Encounter with The Scars

Ellie Faced a Similar Threat from The Seraphites

Considering the evidence that Abby was nearly hanged by the Scars before the confrontation in the theater, it is crucial to reflect on Ellie’s parallel experience on Seraphite Island. Before Ellie reached the aquarium, she was compelled to take an unexpected detour to the island, where she was captured by the Scars. Technically, the Seraphite Island sequence featured in The Last of Us season 2 was a previously cut scene from the sequel game. However, this sequence appeared to lack significance in advancing Ellie’s storyline within the show, especially when juxtaposed with the detail of Abby’s neck bruise.

The Seraphites planned to sacrifice Ellie after they had strung her up by the neck with a thick rope. Before they could execute their ritual, the WLF attacked the island, allowing Ellie to break free, reclaim her boat, and return to the aquarium as if nothing had transpired. Given that Abby experienced a nearly identical ordeal with the Scars, the inclusion of Ellie’s encounter with the Seraphites in season 2 feels particularly puzzling.

At least Abby’s near-fatal confrontation serves a larger narrative purpose, especially with the introduction of Yara and Lev. The same cannot be said for Ellie’s scene, unless the show intends to create a connection between the Seraphites and the overarching narrative. Otherwise, it seems the series may be aiming to highlight a shared experience between Abby and Ellie. Regardless, all indications point to significant developments involving Abby, the WLF, and the Scars in The Last of Us season 3.