If you thought The Last of Us Season 2 would ease into the emotional carnage—think again. HBO’s sophomore season of the hit series doesn’t just bring us back to Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey)—it detonates the tension with the arrival of Abby Anderson (Kaitlyn Dever) and her tight-knit squad from Salt Lake City.
These four characters—Manny, Nora, Mel, and Owen—aren’t just sidekicks; they’re the heart of Abby’s mission and a haunting reminder of the collateral damage Joel left behind.
In The Last of Us Season 2, Episode 2, the snowy mountaintop mourners we meet aren’t just anyone. They’re former Fireflies turned WLF soldiers, hardened by war and bonded by loss. Each carries a deeply personal reason for targeting Joel. While Abby is front and center, her crew’s loyalty and trauma give weight to every step they take toward Jackson.
As fans of The Last of Us Part II video game know, their story is only just beginning—and yes, every one of them has blood on their hands.
The Salt Lake crew who followed Abby to Jackson
The show introduces Abby’s team quickly, but their roots go deep. According to the Last of Us Wiki, the “Salt Lake crew” originally formed while training under Abby’s father, Dr. Jerry Anderson, at the Saint Mary’s Hospital in Salt Lake City.
When Joel slaughtered the Fireflies to save Ellie, he also murdered Jerry, launching Abby (and her friends) down a dark path of vengeance.
Manny Alvarez (Danny Ramirez) is Abby’s closest confidant on The Last of Us Season 2. Described by Variety as a “loyal soldier” who fears letting his friends down, Manny brings levity and bravado to the squad. You might recognize Ramirez from Top Gun: Maverick or as Joaquin Torres in the MCU.
Nora Harris (Tati Gabrielle), a military medic. She is clinical and cold, in stark contrast to Ellie’s raw grief. Gabrielle is a TV favorite, known for The 100, You, and The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.
Mel (Ariela Barer) is a doctor-in-training, torn between her Hippocratic oath and loyalty to the group. Her moment in Episode 2—reminding Abby they let Joel escape because they were saving lives—adds complexity to their vendetta. Barer fans will know her from Marvel’s Runaways and How to Blow Up a Pipeline.
Owen Moore (Spencer Lord), Abby’s ex and the group’s moral compass, is the one who convinces Abby to seek out Isaac in Seattle. Known for roles in Family Law and Heartland, Lord plays Owen as a “gentle soul trapped in a warrior’s body,” echoing game canon.
Abby’s crew matters more than you think in The Last of Us Season 2
Sure, Joel’s actions in Season 1 were the spark—but Abby’s crew is the slow-burning fuse. The Salt Lake crew’s journey isn’t just about revenge; it’s about grief, identity, and the limits of loyalty. The HBO adaptation, like the game, is determined to explore every uncomfortable question: What happens when you’re the villain in someone else’s story?
Each of Abby’s friends will face the consequences of their choices in time. In the game, every one of them meets a tragic end, underscoring the cycle of violence that The Last of Us Season 2 is obsessed with. But as the show deviates and deepens, there’s still space to humanize these so-called antagonists—and possibly, make us feel for them.
So, as we trek into The Last of Us Season 2, don’t sleep on Abby’s crew. Their past with the Fireflies, time with the WLF, and bonds are as essential as Joel and Ellie’s love ever was.
MORE: The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 2 Review: ‘Through the Valley’
