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

The Last of Us season 3 is gearing up to showcase Abby’s gripping three-day journey in Seattle, featuring some truly unforgettable moments from the video game that fans are eager to witness in live-action. At the conclusion of The Last of Us season 2, just as Ellie was ready to abandon her pursuit of Abby, an unexpected twist occurs when Abby confronts her. She holds Ellie at gunpoint in the theater, and the screen abruptly cuts to black. In the final moments, viewers see Abby awakening, and a caption reveals it is three days earlier.

This dramatic ending confirms that the television series will maintain the same distinctive narrative structure as the game. The Last of Us season 3 will shift to Abby’s perspective, providing insight into the events of the past three days from her viewpoint. I am particularly fond of Abby’s storyline in the game and am captivated by Kaitlyn Dever’s portrayal of the character. The anticipation for this upcoming season is immense. While Ellie’s narrative arc revolves around vengeance, Abby’s journey is more about redemption, illustrating her path to reclaiming her humanity after seeking revenge, particularly seen through her role as Lev’s protector.

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Abby, Lev, & Yara’s Thrilling Escape from the Woods

When Abby confronted Ellie at the theater, the presence of a rope burn around her neck hints at an iconic moment from the video game that is likely to be featured in season 3. This rope burn is a result of Abby being captured by the Seraphites, where she finds herself strung up in a noose within a dark forest clearing. Reluctantly, she teams up with two Seraphite runaways, Lev and Yara, to facilitate their escape.

However, this scene may not have the same emotional weight, as the season 2 finale made the puzzling choice to depict Ellie being strung up by the Seraphites and escaping almost immediately through a convenient plot device. In contrast, Abby’s encounter with the Seraphites is much more intense and gripping; after narrowly avoiding execution, Abby and her scarred companions must still navigate a forest teeming with stalkers. Given how effectively the show has portrayed stalkers thus far, this sequence is sure to be just as terrifying and suspenseful as it was in the game.

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The Unexpected Sniper Encounter

The Last of Us alluded to this intense moment during its season 2 finale when news broke that a sniper had the Wolves pinned down at the marina. As sniping is Tommy’s area of expertise, Ellie and Jesse quickly deduce that he must be the shooter. At this point, Ellie expresses her unwavering determination to locate Abby. While Jesse rushes to the marina to assist Tommy, Ellie sets off for the aquarium in search of Abby. Interestingly, Abby’s storyline in the game later reveals that she is, in fact, at the marina, seeking refuge from Tommy’s sniper fire.

The mysterious sniper is a classic gameplay element that adds to the suspense, and the reveal of Tommy as the sniper is a clever twist in the game. However, this twist might not have the same impact in the television adaptation. It’s also worth noting that the series is not strictly confined to Abby’s perspective; it might explore Tommy’s viewpoint during this sequence, potentially altering the narrative’s dynamics.

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Abby & Lev’s Daring Journey Across the Crane Bridge

During Ellie and Jesse’s journey through the ruins of Seattle in The Last of Us’ season 2 finale, a fleeting wide shot captures a broken crane suspended between two skyscrapers in the background. This serves as an enticing preview for one of the most exhilarating action sequences from Abby’s chapter in the game. When Abby and Lev seek a shortcut to the hospital, Lev mentions a hidden network of bridges used by the Seraphites to navigate the city.

Throughout the game, Abby’s crippling fear of heights has been well-established. This phobia reaches its peak as she is compelled to traverse a narrow walkway suspended hundreds of feet above the ground. Enveloped in thick fog, with a tattered American flag ominously flapping from the crane, the sequence creates an incredibly chilling atmosphere that will be challenging for the show to replicate.

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Abby & Lev’s Harrowing Ride Through a Flaming Battlefield

The season 2 finale included multiple references to the W.L.F.’s impending assault on the Seraphites’ island, serving as a setup for Abby’s gripping Day 3 adventure, where she must escape the war-torn island with Lev alongside her. Abby is a W.L.F. deserter, while Lev is a Seraphite runaway, which means that soldiers from both factions are intent on killing them.

One of the most visually striking moments in this action-packed segment of the game occurs when Abby and Lev commandeer a horse and gallop through a village engulfed in flames. The Seraphites’ village of Haven has been reduced to a fiery wasteland, and as Wolves and Seraphites are engaged in a fierce battle, Abby and Lev find themselves barely escaping the chaos. It will be exhilarating to witness this intense battle sequence brought to life in live-action by the same team that masterfully executed season 2’s Jackson battle.

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The Terrifying Descent into Darkness

Following their fall from the bridge that would have led them to the safety of a service elevator, Abby and Lev are forced to navigate through a dilapidated building. This bombed-out hotel turns out to be a breeding ground for the infected. The walls are infested with Cordyceps fungus, and every room is a terrifying maze filled with clickers, bloaters, shamblers, and stalkers that have become grotesquely fused into the structure.

This chapter, aptly titled “The Descent,” stands out as one of the most horrifying experiences in the game. It will be a chilling delight to witness this harrowing sequence brought to life in the live-action adaptation of season 3. Judging by the impressive creature effects seen in the previous seasons, the production team is sure to exceed expectations.

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Abby’s Fierce Protection of Lev from Isaac

While Abby and Lev attempt to escape the treacherous Seraphites’ island, they encounter W.L.F. soldiers, and Isaac appears on the scene. Abby stands her ground, holding the Wolves at gunpoint and positioning herself to shield Lev. Isaac demands that she move aside so he can eliminate Lev, but Abby defiantly refuses.

After narrowly escaping the Wolves and barricading themselves in a nearby building, a shaken Lev expresses his fear, telling Abby that they were once her people. In a moment of fierce protectiveness, Abby responds, “You’re my people!” This pivotal moment solidifies the bond between Abby and Lev, signifying that Abby has stepped away from her identity as a Wolf and fully embraced her role as Lev’s protective older sister. Much like Joel and Ellie, they form a close-knit community of two.

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Lev’s Impact: Inspiring Abby to Show Mercy to Ellie & Dina

As Abby’s storyline in the game progresses, The Last of Us Part II comes full circle, revisiting the suspenseful theater confrontation — this time through Abby’s perspective. Following a fierce struggle, Abby overpowers Ellie and breaks her arm. She also quickly subdues Dina, who attacks her. Ellie desperately pleads with Abby to spare Dina, informing her that she is pregnant.

However, since Ellie has just killed Abby’s pregnant friend, Abby views the potential death of Dina as justified retribution, and she appears determined to proceed with her plan. Yet in a pivotal moment, Lev intervenes. His innocence and purity inspire Abby to let Dina go, allowing her to avoid repeating the tragic mistake she made with Joel.

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The Epic Showdown with the Rat King

The most eagerly awaited scene from Abby’s segment of the game is undoubtedly her epic boss battle against the Rat King. When Abby stealthily enters the spore-infested hospital basement to retrieve surgical supplies, she is unexpectedly interrupted by a terrifying creature that is a grotesque combination of infected beings fused together over time. Craig Mazin has already hinted at the potential appearance of the Rat King in season 3.

Symbolically, the Rat King represents an unstoppable force of violence, rampaging through the hospital. Abby encounters it in the “Trauma Center,” making it a monstrous metaphor for Joel and the trauma she continues to grapple with. Out of all the moments from Abby’s narrative that I am excited to see in The Last of Us season 3, this showdown ranks as the most thrilling.