| “ | ” |
Survivors are human characters in HBO's The Last of Us who are not infected by the Cordyceps brain infection (CBI), or simply have not reached stage one of the infection yet. Most survivors outside of the FEDRA-controlled quarantine zones or independent settlements are hostile towards other groups.[1]
History[]
After the Cordyceps outbreak occurred, society rapidly collapsed into chaos. Millions succumbed to the infection by September 27, 2003, leaving many American cities as dangerous places to inhabit. As social order fell, FEDRA established control of the United States military and locked down what remaining cities they could control into quarantine zones. Civilians scrambled to get into these safe zones, traveling across the country to escape either into the military-protected zones or into the countryside where the infection was less prevalent.[1]
However, by September 30, FEDRA sent the military out into the countryside and towns near the cities to take civilians into the quarantine zones. If the QZs did not have enough room, the military began executing the civilians and dumping them in mass graves in the countryside in an effort to prevent the infection spreading to more people.[2]
Word of the military's growing tyranny led many people to refuse to join the quarantine zones and instead form their own groups. These ranged from isolationist survivors like Marlon and Florence,[3] or Bill, living in the entire town of Lincoln by himself, to groups forming into raiders intent on attacking settlements and stealing supplies.[2] However, some people formed groups intent on making it to these FEDRA-held quarantine zones, with Tommy, Joel and Tess initially in one heading to Boston. These groups took to drastic measures to survive, killing innocent people and stealing their supplies.[4]
By 2010, the country had stabilized as FEDRA rule became the norm in the occupied quarantine zones.[1] However, raider groups became more potent in the countryside around Boston. This led to them attacking settlements in the area, notably Bill and Frank's.[2] FEDRA rule also faced challenges within the zones as well. Notably, smuggling operations were set up by residents in the zone, intent on circumventing the military's oppression. Smuggling was still active in Boston by 2023. Raiders still roamed the area too, and slavers had formed as well.[1]
By 2023, resistance movements were also formed to commit more open, violent, acts of rebellion against FEDRA and the military, with Marlene establishing the Fireflies in Boston and other locations countrywide,[1] while Michael Coghlan made his own resistance group in Kansas City.[5] Although, there were those in the zone who helped and collaborated with FEDRA for their own personal gain, informing them of these activities - whether smuggling or resistance groups - to gain supplies and preferential treatment for a better life. FEDRA's control became more brutal, with them beating civilians, committing public executions or - in the case of FEDRA in Kansas City - even raping captured civilians. These actions led to more fervent resistance in Kansas City, with Michael's death leading his sister Kathleen Coghlan to spark a war between the resistance and FEDRA, ending in the resistance overthrowing FEDRA by late 2023.[5] The Fireflies did not have the same success in Boston, being forced to retreat from the city around the same time.[1]
Offering an alternative to FEDRA's oppressive regime, Maria formed a community in Jackson on the west side of Yellowstone River that was devoted to non-hostile collaboration and support. Rather than ruling through force or violence, the members followed a democratic practice of electing leaders. In this community, supply sharing and trust were the biggest principles. By the winter of 2023, this group had grown to around 300 strong, though it was isolationist, preferring to keep their successful lifestyle a secret and instead form a reputation as brutal survivors to deter others from wandering into their area.[3]
Another alternative to FEDRA rule was to follow religion and putting faith in God, which was how David formed his cult-like community that resided in the Silver Lake resort in Colorado. Rather than working together, this group put their faith in David to lead them with all of his decisions followed unchallenged by the community. As such, David convinced trusted members of the group to resort to cannibalism to survive.[6]
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 HBO's The Last of Us episode 1: "When You're Lost in the Darkness"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 HBO's The Last of Us episode 3: "Long, Long Time"
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 HBO's The Last of Us episode 4: "Kin"
- ↑ HBO's The Last of Us episode 4: "Please Hold to My Hand"
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 HBO's The Last of Us episode 5: "Endure and Survive"
- ↑ HBO's The Last of Us episode 8: "When We Are in Need"
