“We’ll See How Far That Goes”: What’s Next for Abby and Ellie in The Last of Us Season 3
The explosive finale of The Last of Us Season 2 has left fans reeling — and the battle between Abby and Ellie is far from over. Co-creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann have hinted that their rivalry, which reached a boiling point in the season finale, is only just beginning. With the brutal post-apocalyptic world mirroring the chaos and lawlessness of the Wild West, both characters have been pushed to their moral limits.
In an interview with Deadline, Druckmann delved deeper into the emotional core of the story:
“The question that we’re asking, and the thing we’re interrogating in this story is, when you’ve committed such horrible things, depending on your circumstance, can you ever come back from that?”
This philosophical weight hangs heavy over both Abby (Kaitlyn Dever) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey), whose actions have continually blurred the lines between hero and villain. In particular, Ellie’s recent choices led to the devastating death of Jesse (Young Mazino), causing fans to question her motives and emotional trajectory.
The Emotional Complexity of Abby and Ellie
Unlike previous seasons where Joel (Pedro Pascal) was the moral compass — albeit a flawed one — Season 2 dismantles that notion entirely. Joel’s past decisions have cast long shadows over everyone, and now, it’s Abby and Ellie left to grapple with the consequences.
Interestingly, neither side of the conflict has remained clearly sympathetic. The creators have succeeded in presenting both Abby and Ellie as layered characters, each driven by love, loss, and a desperate need for closure. That complexity will carry over into Season 3, as Mazin and Druckmann are expected to split the narrative to explore Abby’s arc in greater depth.
What to Expect in Season 3
If you were hoping for quick revenge or easy answers, The Last of Us isn’t that kind of story. The Season 2 cliffhanger implies we won’t immediately follow Ellie when Season 3 opens. Instead, the focus may shift to Abby’s inner turmoil and the impact of her own past losses.
And while viewers may have been rooting for Ellie throughout much of the series, Season 3 may well force them to reconsider where their loyalties lie. As Druckmann put it:
“Now, we have these two characters that are on this downward spiral, trying to do justice for the people that they love, and we’ll see how far that goes.”
The Bigger Themes: Revenge, Redemption, and Regret
One thing is certain: Season 3 will dive even deeper into themes of vengeance, guilt, and the elusive hope of redemption. No one truly wins in this cycle of pain, but the journey remains gripping. As viewers, we are drawn to the raw emotions, the moral ambiguity, and the stark realism that defines The Last of Us universe.
So while Ellie and Abby continue their descent — or perhaps their rise — we’ll be right there watching, questioning, and maybe even forgiving.
Source : collider.com
