From the minute I saw Abby pick up Lev, I was brought back to the first game when Joel picked up Ellie. It’s such a subtle thing, but this fight wasn’t about avenging Joel, it’s about understanding Joel.
Abby becomes Joel the minute she takes Lev with her, something she didn’t need to do but she still did. Joel didn’t need to take Ellie either, he could have just left and went back home. The entire game you see Ellie dealing with the aftermath of what Joel did at the hospital, and that is the entire point of this scene. Ellie still hadn’t forgiven Joel and she is finally able to forgive him when she lets Abby go. That’s why you see that cutscene with Joel and Ellie after the fight, that’s why Ellie remembers Joel during the fight.
This game isn’t about Ellie getting revenge on Abby for killing Joel. This game is about Ellie forgiving Joel for taking away her life. And if she can forgive Joel for that, she can forgive Abby, too.
