“Just an angry kid”: Tati Gabrielle on why Nora refused to help Ellie in The Last of Us 

The second season of The Last of Us follows on from the series in a world that has been ravaged by a fungal pandemic. Brought on by a mutated strain of Cordyceps, which occurred 25 years previously and destroyed the traditional way of life.

Not only this, but also Ellie endured the pain of losing Joel, who was tragically killed by Abby. As tensions rise, the season takes a darker turn, as there are major groups—the Washington Liberation Front (WLF), a powerful paramilitary organization, and a dangerous religious cult called the Seraphites.

Among the members of the WLF is Nora, played by the actress Tati Gabrielle in The Last of Us Season 2. In Episode 5, Nora was tortured as Ellie wanted to know where Abby was. Despite knowing that she might get killed, Nora didn't help her. Talking about her character's decision, Gabrielle said:

"What Ellie is doing now is purely for revenge. For Abby, it might have been just revenge, but Nora justified it in terms of what she says to Ellie. She’s like, ‘He doomed us all, so he had to be taken out.’"

The actress continued:

"But you don’t have justice. You don’t have proper resolve. You’re just an angry kid, and that’s not fair. Why would I help you?"

Not to forget that Nora serves as the combat medic for WLF, but before that, she was part of the Fireflies, the same group that Joel wiped out. She was also close to Abby's father, who led the Fireflies but was shot by Joel.

Keep reading to explore more about Nora and what else Tati Gabrielle shared.

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Tati Gabrielle talks about Nora's bold decision in The Last of Us Season 2

Nora is one of the fearless survivors in The Last of Us Season 2 who was under the mentorship of Abby's father, the doctor Joel killed in Season 1. That event still haunts her, and it shapes much of her motivation in the season.

Nora plays a major role in helping Abby during her mission to get revenge. She is involved in the shocking moment when Joel is killed, as she helps restrain Ellie during the attack. She also secretly helps Abby even when it goes against WLF rules, showing that she’s willing to risk everything for those she cares about.

In the latest Episode 5 "Feel Her Love", Nora is at gunpoint and still refuses to help Ellie. Why? Because she sees Ellie’s mission as being driven purely by revenge. While Abby’s own actions might’ve been about revenge, too, Nora justifies them as necessary because Joel, in her eyes, ruined their chance at a cure by killing Abby's dad.

She believes Joel killed that hope to make things better, and being a "savior and a fighter", Nora chose to stay loyal to Abby and her father. So when Ellie comes looking for Abby out of vengeance, Nora wants no part of it.

Also Read: Where was The Last Of Us filmed? Filming locations of HBO's post-apocalyptic drama, explored

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Nora finally meets her end in The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 5

Another major shocker for Nora in The Last of Us Season 2 is that Ellie knows Joel killed Abby's father and she still chose violence. This truth changes everything for Nora, as that's when she truly shuts down, emotionally and morally.

She won't help Ellie no matter what happens to her. Nora isn't even scared while confronting Eille. Tati Gabrielle explained her character's stand, saying:

"If you want to do this to me, then do this to me. But… you don’t get to finish whatever f**king plan that you have."

While she might feel Ellie's pain of losing someone close, Nora still believes Joel deserved that brutal end in The Last of Us Season 2. However, little does the WLF know that Ellie isn't someone who backs off easily and keeps torturing Nora that way she saw Joel getting hurt. In the final blow, Ellie kills Nora because she didn't answer her.

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Also Read: What happened to Jesse in The Last of Us? Here's everything we know about the character till now

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