The Brutal Truth: What Does Abby Do to Joel in The Last of Us?
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The question hangs heavy in the minds of many The Last of Us fans: What exactly does Abby do to Joel? The answer is brutal and heartbreaking, a moment that irrevocably shifts the narrative and sets the stage for the events of The Last of Us Part II. In short, Abby brutally murders Joel. She doesn’t simply kill him, but subjects him to a prolonged and violent beating before finally ending his life. She does this with a golf club, a seemingly innocuous object that becomes a symbol of the game’s cycle of violence and revenge. This act, witnessed by a traumatized Ellie, forms the core motivation for the sequel’s relentless and emotionally devastating story. The scene is not merely a shock tactic; it is a carefully constructed plot point that explores themes of vengeance, justice, and the devastating consequences of violence.
Abby’s Motivation: The Seeds of Vengeance
Abby’s actions are not random; they are fueled by a deep and personal vendetta against Joel. Her motive stems directly from the events of the first The Last of Us game. In that game, Joel saves Ellie from the Fireflies, a group trying to develop a vaccine using her immunity. To do so, they would have to sacrifice Ellie. Joel, acting out of paternal love and a refusal to lose another daughter, storms the Firefly hospital and kills numerous members to rescue Ellie. This included Abby’s father, a surgeon who was prepared to operate on Ellie. This act of saving Ellie, while heroic in Joel’s eyes, directly translates to the root of Abby’s desire for vengeance.
The Parallel and the Payoff
The manner in which Abby kills Joel is significant. She uses a blunt instrument, a golf club, mirroring Joel’s past actions when he killed a member of David’s group in the first game. This parallel highlights the game’s theme of cycles, showcasing how violence begets violence and how revenge consumes those who seek it. This intentional echo underscores that the consequences of Joel’s choices are now coming back to haunt him in the most brutal way.
The Execution: A Detailed Look
Abby and her group ambush Joel and Tommy shortly after Joel and Tommy save them from a horde of infected. Abby doesn’t kill Joel immediately. Instead, she incapacitates him, giving him no chance to fight back. She restrains him, and in front of a horrified Ellie, she begins to beat him with a golf club. This brutal beating is drawn out, ensuring both the player and Ellie experience the full horror of the situation. Abby’s rage and grief are palpable, displayed in each swing of the club. The graphic nature of the scene serves to emphasize the brutality of the post-apocalyptic world and the depth of Abby’s pain.
The Impact on Ellie and the Game
Joel’s death at the hands of Abby is a critical turning point in The Last of Us Part II. It ignites Ellie’s quest for revenge, driving the majority of the game’s narrative. Ellie is forever scarred by witnessing the murder, her emotions oscillating between grief, rage, and a relentless desire for vengeance. This event forces Ellie to confront the true cost of violence and the corrosive nature of hate. The impact of this moment resonates throughout the game, shaping the character development and the overarching themes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why did Abby want to kill Joel?
Abby’s primary motivation for killing Joel was to avenge her father, the surgeon Joel killed at the Firefly hospital in the first game. She also seeks revenge for the loss of other Fireflies killed in Joel’s rescue of Ellie.
2. How does Abby find Joel?
Abby and her group find Joel in Jackson shortly after he and Tommy save them from an infected horde. This unexpected encounter provides Abby with the opportunity to finally enact her plan.
3. What weapon does Abby use to kill Joel?
Abby kills Joel by brutally beating him with a golf club. The use of this seemingly ordinary object adds to the shocking nature of the act.
4. Was Joel’s death necessary for the story?
Yes, Joel’s death is a pivotal moment in the narrative, driving the plot of the second game and exploring the themes of vengeance and its consequences. It is controversial but it is central to the narrative.
5. How does Ellie react to Joel’s death?
Ellie is traumatized and driven by a relentless thirst for revenge against Abby, which is the core element of her character arc. This sets up the conflict of the second game.
6. Does Abby regret killing Joel?
Abby doesn’t outwardly express regret but, it becomes clear that the act did not bring her the closure she was seeking and distanced her from some of her friends and allies.
7. Does Ellie eventually kill Abby?
No, Ellie chooses not to kill Abby at the end of the game. She finally realizes that violence cannot bring back Joel or provide true healing and lets her go.
8. Who is Abby to Joel?
Abby is the daughter of the surgeon Joel killed in the first game, making her a direct victim of his actions. This is what sets up the conflict between them.
9. Is Abby a villain in The Last of Us?
Abby is portrayed as a complex and morally ambiguous character, rather than a simple villain. While her actions are brutal, her motivation is rooted in grief and revenge.
10. How does Joel killing Abby’s father affect the game?
Joel’s killing of Abby’s father sets up the entire plot of The Last of Us Part II, driving Abby’s need for revenge and the ensuing violence.
11. How does the game show the impact of Joel’s past actions?
Through the eyes of both Ellie and Abby, the game explores the ramifications of Joel’s choices and the long-term consequences of violence.
12. Why does Ellie ultimately spare Abby?
Ellie spares Abby because she finally realizes that killing Abby will not bring Joel back or resolve her grief. She understands that violence only perpetuates the cycle of suffering.
13. Is Abby physically stronger than Joel?
Abby’s character is designed to be physically imposing and she is portrayed as being stronger and more skilled than Joel. This is a key component in her victory over him.
14. Is the way Joel is killed in the game similar to anyone else’s death?
The way Joel is killed mirrors how Joel killed a man from David’s group in the first game, using a blunt object. This parallel emphasizes the cycle of violence.
15. What is the significance of the golf club?
The golf club used to kill Joel represents the senselessness and brutality of violence and the way that ordinary objects can become instruments of brutality in a post-apocalyptic setting.