Marlene

Lore & Background

Marlene is introduced as the leader of the Fireflies, a rebel militia. She is an acquaintance of Joel and Tess, and tasks them with smuggling Ellie to a rendezvous point. En route to deliver Ellie, Joel discovers she is immune to the infection. Upon their arrival, Tess reveals she has sustained a bite on the journey and insists Joel find Tommy, a former Firefly, in order to continue the mission. Later, when Joel finally gets Ellie to the Fireflies, it is discovered she has a mutant strain of the Cordyceps fungus growing on her brain, which may be used to create a vaccine; in order to extract the fungi, an operation on Ellie's brain is required that will likely kill her. While she is being prepared for surgery, Joel makes his way to the operating room and carries her to safety. To ensure they are not pursued, Joel kills Marlene.

In Their Own Story

Marlene, leader of the Fireflies, tasks Joel and Tess with smuggling Ellie to a rendezvous point. After Joel discovers Ellie's immunity, Tess insists Joel find Tommy, a former Firefly, to continue the mission. Ultimately, Joel gets Ellie to the Fireflies, where doctors discover a mutant strain of Cordyceps on her brain that could be used for a vaccine, but the operation to extract it will kill her. Joel rescues Ellie from the operating room and kills Marlene to ensure they are not pursued.

Reader's Guide

Marlene is the leader of the Fireflies, a rebel militia group. She is an acquaintance of Joel and Tess, and tasks them with smuggling Ellie to a rendezvous point. After Joel discovers Ellie's immunity, Tess insists Joel find Tommy, a former Firefly, to continue the mission. Later, when Joel finally gets Ellie to the Fireflies, it is discovered she has a mutant strain of the Cordyceps fungus growing on her brain, which may be used to create a vaccine; in order to extract the fungi, an operation on Ellie's brain is required that will likely kill her. While she is being prepared for surgery, Joel makes his way to the operating room and carries her to safety. To ensure they are not pursued, Joel kills Marlene.

Did You Know?

• Marlene is the leader of the Fireflies, a rebel militia group.
• She tasks Joel and Tess with smuggling Ellie to a rendezvous point.
• Joel kills Marlene to ensure they are not pursued after he rescues Ellie from the operating room.
• The Fireflies' doctors planned to kill Ellie to extract the fungus from her brain for a potential cure.
• Marlene is an acquaintance of Joel and Tess.