HBO’s The Last of Us has several factions within its world Here is a look at The Fireflies in both the show and the game.
The Last of Us has seen a lot of success since its premiere. With a renewal for season two, it doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. The adaptation is not a perfect replica of the game, but where the show deviates, it seems to do so in the name of expanding and enriching the story. The show, much like the game, does a wonderful job of bringing this unique world to life.
Humanity is fragmented into factions within the world of The Last of Us. Perhaps the most notable organization is known as The Fireflies. In fact, they’re so important to the story of The Last of Us, their symbol has become synonymous with the game. In the show, you can find their symbol painted on walls. While in the game, you’ll often find firefly tags around the world as a collectible.
Who Are The Fireflies In The Show?
In the show, we’re introduced to The Fireflies fairly quickly. Their motto is “when you’re lost in the darkness, look for the light.” In this world, they’re seen as a terrorist organization opposing FEDRA, a rival military force that acts as a form of government. We see Fireflies attack FEDRA in broad daylight as Tess walks down the street. We also see them holding Ellie against her will in an old building. They’re led by a woman named Marlene who is holding Ellie because she believes the girl could be “the key to the cure.” If true, this means humanity would finally be able to protect themselves against the illness that turns humans into infected and clickers.
While The Fireflies oppose FEDRA, their numbers and resources are limited. They don’t have the ability to go toe to toe with their enemy and must coordinate guerrilla-style attacks. When their backs are pressed up against the wall, Marlene even delegates the task of transporting Ellie to the smugglers Joel and Tess because The Fireflies lack the necessary resources to complete the job themselves. In the third episode of the show, we learn that Joel’s brother Tommy was a Firefly. To Joel, this means his brother might have some idea about what he should do with Ellie.
Who Are The Fireflies In The Game?
The show’s adaptation is largely similar to that of the game. While we never see The Fireflies holding Ellie against her will, Ellie does show up with Marlene in a similar fashion. Aside from that, the video game features the same rag-tag group of freedom fighters lacking in both bodies and resources. They stage attacks against FEDRA and even recruit teenagers into their ranks. They certainly don’t see themselves as terrorists.
The show and game are in sync when it comes to there being a facility out west looking for a cure. Joel’s brother, Tommy, is also a former firefly in both the series and the game. In the game, Joel tries to leave Ellie with Tommy. Joel trusts his brother to get Ellie where she needs to go. Tommy accepts this task until Joel changes his mind.
