Why Fans Can’t Wait for Season 3’s New Joel & Ellie Replacements

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Warning! Spoilers ahead for The Last of Us season 2 finale and The Last of Us Part II video game.

Following the finale of The Last of Us season 2, where it shifted focus to Abby’s storyline during the last three days, I am eagerly anticipating season 3 and its introduction of the new Joel and Ellie. The finale of The Last of Us season 2 differed from the video game in a few aspects. In the game, Ellie didn’t wash up on the Seraphites’ island or come close to being hanged; instead, this occurred in the TV show. Also, Jesse, who was a loyal companion with a strong sense of justice for Ellie in the game, is portrayed as extremely angry with her in the series.

The season 2 finale mirrors almost exactly the game’s most significant twist. As Ellie is on the verge of abandoning her quest to find Abby, it is Abby who locates her at the theater. In a tense turn of events, Abby takes Tommy hostage, kills Jesse, and confronts Ellie. Following an abrupt blackout, the episode resumes with Abby waking up at the W.L.F.’s base, which was where Ellie had been when she first arrived in Seattle. This implies that season 3 of The Last of Us might delve into Abby’s perspective over the past three days and clarify how she ended up there.

The Last Of Us Season 3 Will Introduce Abby’s Young Ward Lev

Lev Is A Young Seraphite Runaway That Abby Takes Under Her Wing

At first, when I started playing The Last of Us Part II, like everyone else, I was surprised as the story seemed to be concluding. However, the game transported me back to the beginning of the Seattle timeline from Abby’s perspective, and I realized that I still had half the game left. To begin with, I assumed that Abby’s three days would provide a different angle on Ellie’s three days. After spending three days pursuing Abby, with Abby ultimately catching up to us, I thought Abby’s days would reveal that Abby was always one step behind Ellie throughout their ordeal.

Abby’s narrative deviates significantly. She remains oblivious to Joel’s family being in Seattle, and his actions against her friends, until the third day. Unlike Ellie’s storyline, which is chronological, Abby’s tale shares a thematic parallel. Ellie’s journey illustrated the horrifying consequences of being driven by vengeance, stripping humanity away. Abby’s journey explores what occurs when someone has already lost their humanity in pursuit of revenge, and how they can find redemption afterward. This is poignantly depicted through Abby’s bond with a young Seraphite runaway named Lev, whom she nurtures.

Abby’s journey begins when she discovers that Owen has disappeared, having grown disenchanted with the Wolves’ authoritarian ideology. She knows where he’ll head – to the aquarium – so she secretly leaves and pursues him. During her chase, she is captured by the Seraphites and hung up for execution. Simultaneously, the same Seraphites are executing Lev’s older sister Yara, another runaway. After rescuing Yara, Lev hesitantly rescues Abby as well, and they form an uneasy bond. Over the next three days, Abby grows to care deeply for these children (and particularly Lev) as if they were her younger siblings.

Abby & Lev Are Deliberately Reminiscent Of Joel & Ellie

Protecting Lev Is Abby’s Redemption Arc, Just Like Protecting Ellie Was Joel’s Redemption Arc

Abby’s act of nurturing and safeguarding Lev mirrors the protective relationship between Joel and Ellie. In the initial Last of Us game (and its first TV series season), caring for Ellie helped bring Joel out of his grim past as a ruthless, emotionless assassin – he “discovered something worth fighting for.” Similarly, tending to Lev brings the same change in Abby: although avenging Joel’s death didn’t ease her grief over her father, forming a new family did.

In “The Last of Us Part II,” providing Abby with a companion similar to Ellie helps significantly in making the audience empathize with Abby, which was the creators’ intent. What sets this story apart – and makes it challenging to bring to television – is its daring approach to persuade audiences to find goodness in the character they despise the most, a task that’s no easy feat. Abby’s bond with Lev demonstrates to viewers who may be hesitant about liking her that she shares many traits with a character they already admire: the one she had killed.

In Joel’s case, his bond with Ellie is confined to a father-daughter relationship, while Abby and Lev share more of a big sister-little brother dynamic. Nevertheless, both characters, who are stoic and morally ambiguous, find a path to redemption through the care of a young protege. When Joel encountered Ellie, he transcended his grim past as a hunter and reaffirmed his role as an exceptional father. Similarly, upon meeting Lev, Abby found solace in moving beyond her father’s demise by imparting his kindness and knowledge to the future generation.

I Can’t Wait To See How Kaitlyn Dever Plays Abby’s Scenes With Lev

Abby Is At Her Most Vulnerable When She’s With Lev

I’ve been really enjoying Kaitlyn Dever’s portrayal of Abby thus far. She convincingly portrayed Abby’s determination, strength, and thirst for vengeance when she brutally killed Joel and later confronted Ellie at the theater. Yet, she also beautifully showcased Abby’s humane side in her soft moments with Owen and during her emotional breakdown at her father’s grave in the first episode. Despite not having Abby’s physical strength, Dever has masterfully captured every other aspect of her character.

I’m really looking forward to watching how Dever portrays Abby’s interactions with Lev in season 3, as Abby shows her gentlest and most exposed side when caring for Lev. Scenes such as helping Lev adjust his gas mask and giving him her coat during their boat ride back to shore are particularly moving in the game. Given her past roles in films like Short Term 12 and Booksmart, Dever has demonstrated both dramatic talent and a keen emotional sensitivity, making me confident she will excel in The Last of Us season 3.

Why The Last Of Us Shifting To Abby’s Story For Season 3 Is Risky

A Whole Season Focused On Joel’s Killer Might Alienate Some Audiences

Abby’s “Day One” scene in the final episode of The Last of Us season 2 strongly hints that the TV series will adopt the game’s dual storyline approach and primarily focus on Abby’s three-day journey for season 3. While I’m thrilled they’re staying true to the source material, it’s also a significant risk. The narrative functions effectively in the game, but there’s a chance that some TV viewers might lose interest, similar to how some players did. If The Walking Dead had an entire season focusing on Negan after he killed Glenn, imagine the backlash. A lot hinges on the quality of the execution.

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2025-05-27 12:38