The world of The Last of Us is a bleak and hopeless one, where only the strong survive and the weak are consumed by monsters and the worst of humanity. However, there is one group that still holds onto hope for a better tomorrow – The Fireflies. Despite being viewed as dangerous by many of the game’s characters, they are the only real threat to FEDRA and the only hope for the infected.
The Fireflies are a group that fights against FEDRA’s martial law, led by Marlene (played by Merle Dandridge). They were formed in the 2010s, and gained more support after six of their members were killed. In the Boston Quarantine Zone, they are a group of rebels hiding underground, using the slogan “When you’re lost in the dark, look for the light” as a way to communicate with each other.
While they may be seen as a dangerous part of society, it’s clear that they are gaining power in this post-apocalyptic world. In one shot, the Firefly symbol is covered up with paint, suggesting that they are looking for new members. However, their groups are spread out, making it hard for them to stay in charge.
The Fireflies are not without controversy, with some characters viewing them as no better than terrorists. Ellie (played by Bella Ramsey) calls them terrorists after an explosive attack on Tess (Anna Torv), leading Marlene to ask if Ellie’s girlfriend Riley was also a terrorist. It’s likely that Riley was a Firefly, fitting with her story in The Last of Us: American Dreams. Joel’s brother Tommy (Gabriel Luna) also joins the Fireflies during the 20-year time jump.
Marlene used to know Ellie’s mother and sent her to military school. While we don’t know what happened to Ellie’s mom, it’s possible she died fighting for the Fireflies. Despite Ellie’s fiery personality, she is on the Fireflies’ side and even gets a tattoo of a moth in The Last of Us Part II to honor them and her old life with Joel.
In the first game, the Fireflies are the main antagonists. Ellie is immune to the Cordyceps infection, making her a potential cure for the disease. Marlene sends Joel and Tess to take Ellie across the United States to meet with other Fireflies and work on a cure. However, it turns out that the only way to cure Ellie is to cut out the part of her brain that is sick, which would kill her. Joel, who has become like a father to Ellie, refuses to let her be used as cannon fodder for the Firefly cause.
While the Fireflies may be a pain for FEDRA, their fight against military rule is losing ground and support. The fact that they are painting over their logo suggests that they aren’t as popular as they think they are. Even Tommy loses interest in them after the events of the game.
The Fireflies are not the only group trying to change things in this world, but they are the main group trying to find a cure. Characters like Marlene are complicated because of how they try to achieve their goals. The Last of Us TV show promises to stay true to the game, so fans can expect to see more of The Fireflies and their struggle in future episodes.
If you want to learn more about The Last of Us TV show, check out our article on its cast and episode guide. We also have updates on The Last of Us Season 2.