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HBO’s adaptation of Naughty Dog’sThe Last of Usis an accurate live-action depiction of the video game. The nine-episode season focuses on Joel’s mission to escort Ellie to a hospital to try and develop a cure for the Cordyceps.
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As with most adaptations, there’s always the possibility of adding new characters and HBO did just that with Kathleen. While Naughty Dog did have a similar storyline with Henry and Sam, the pair were not involved with the resistance group, nor did Kathleen even exist in the game. So, who is Kathleen and how does her involvement in the show change the narrative of the game?
Resistance Leader
Kathleen Coghlan grew up inKansas City, Missouri, and survived the initial Cordyceps outbreak withher brother Michael. The siblings lived in the FEDRA quarantined zone in Kansas City butgrew hatred toward the militarized group and how they controlled the city. Kathleen and Michael formed a resistance movement against FEDRA to drive them out of Kansas City.
Despite the rise of Kathleen and Michael’s resistance group, FEDRA was still able to maintain a stranglehold on the city. Although it was both siblings that formed the group, Michael was viewed as the leader. The resistance group eventually overpowered FEDRA but not before Michael was killed.
Hunting For Henry
Henry Burrell also lived in the Kansas City quarantine zone with his brother Samand experienced a difficult life under FEDRA’s rule. While Henry wasn’t part of Michael’s resistance group,he admired himand thought he was a good leader.
Henry didn’t share any connection with the Kansas City group in the game. He and Sam were on the run from them simply for looking for supplies.
Sometime before Joel and Ellie reached Kansas City,Sam became sick with leukemia. Only FEDRA had medicine that could treat Sam’s condition, soHenry betrayed Michael and traded his location for the drug. FEDRA captured Michael and killed him, prompting Kathleen to declare open war against FEDRA. But besides FEDRA, Henry was at the top of Kathleen’s hit list.
War In Kansas City
Shortly after FEDRA executed Michael, Kathleen was successful in driving them out of Kansas City and establishing herself as the new authoritative figure. She focused all her attention onfinding Henryto make him pay for betraying Michael. While she was interrogating someone for his whereabouts, her team returned fromtrying toambush Joel and Ellie.
Kathleen believed Joel and Ellie weremercenaries hired by Henryto help him escape from the city. At the same time, her militia leader Perry finds a massive sinkhole that shows theinfected are no longer contained beneath the city. Kathleen choices not to worry about the infected and focus on finding Henry.
One night, Kathleen’s army spots Henry and Joel moving through the city. Her army pins Joel in a house and Kathleen calls out to Henry. He asks her to spare his brother and Ellie but Kathleen sayseven children must suffer. When Henry reveals himself, the infected erupt from the ground and begin attacking everyone. Right before Kathleen is about to shoot Henry, aninfected child leaps on her and kills her.
