Owen Moore: The Nice Guy Who Isn’t So Nice After All
Believe it or not, I actually don't hate Owen. He irritated me the whole game, so he'll never be a favourite... but I don’t think he was altogether terrible. Similar to the other characters in The Last of Us, he was flawed but also surprisingly layered, with a mixture of good and bad traits.
But I can’t emphasize enough how badly I wouldn’t want this guy dating my daughter, and I certainly would not want a partner with his character traits as someone living with PTSD, so let’s talk about that.
I’m fully aware this is going to ruffle some feathers, but I’m all about a healthy discussion. If it leads to further deep dives, the nerd in me is pretty chuffed about that, too!
This is my opinion, based on my lived experiences. It’s totally cool if it doesn’t match yours.
Owen is the biggest goddamn coward.
Throughout the game, Owen's cowardice is evident in his indecisiveness and unwillingness to fully commit to literally anything (Abby, Mel, the WLF, or even his dreams of peace).
In a game so focused on the importance of community, Owen is shockingly bad at fostering it. I find his isolation of the women in his life extremely problematic. Not only does he cut Abby and Mel off from himself, but he also keeps them apart from one another.
The kicker? Mel was Abby’s friend first.
There are some serious manipulative dynamics at play, with the way he keeps Abby tethered to him emotionally, even as he pursues a relationship with Mel.
I get it. Abby wasn’t making it easy for him.
He ached for a different her, untainted by the trauma and guilt that clung to her, a her she couldn't be while so deeply entrenched in her past.
Rather than understanding Abby's emotional limitations, Owen's unmet desires created tension and resentment, likely intensifying Abby's overwhelming guilt.
Does it make him a bad person for wanting more? No. Does it make him an ideal romantic match for Abby? Also, no.
But isn’t that the nature of human relationships? We often fall for people who aren't right for us.
This isn't intended to belittle Abby's relationship with Owen; it's clear she deeply cared for him. But considering the betrayal and selfishness inherent in this relationship, it's absurd to call it healthy or in any way safe.
Poor Owen, Abby couldn't let go of the past!
Abby wasn’t the only one stuck in the past, let me tell ya.
Owen fixated on who Abby used to be, while her present was irrevocably shaped by trauma, grief, and a desire for vengeance, a space Owen would only ever enter half-heartedly. He oscillated between trying to pull away from Abby and gravitating back to her when it was convenient.
He wanted Abby, make no mistake. But was he willing to support her and love her to the degree she needed at the time? I mean… fuck no. Give me a break.
Wanting someone and loving someone are two different things entirely.
It would be wonderful if we could remain the optimistic people we were before experiencing trauma. Unfortunately, that isn’t based in reality.
Owen’s nostalgia wasn’t just unhelpful—it was actively harmful because he clung to an idealized version of Abby that no longer existed.
No matter how much Owen tried to remind her of who she once was, Abby's past self was irretrievably lost. What she needed was someone to support her during difficult times, showing her how to find her own inherent goodness in a different light.
Now… which badass, bow-wielding characters come to mind in that regard… hmm.
You want to know who also consistently rose up to meet Abby where she was—who genuinely cared about supporting and healing her relationships with other members of The Salt Lake Crew? You want to know who actively desired Abby's freedom from isolation? Manny. But I’m saving that for another deep dive.
(Stay tuned, because it’s going to be a juicy one.)
Speaking of the people Owen's actions deeply affected, let's discuss Mel.
I hope it goes without saying, that pursuing your ex-girlfriend’s closest female friend, after your ex-girlfriend has tragically and brutally lost her father, is the least sexy thing I have ever heard of.
To me, this was just another staggering example of his cowardice and selfishness. The betrayal is multifaceted, given Mel's close mentorship under Abby's father. However, a romantic relationship with someone who appears to have spent more time with Abby's father than Abby herself is, at minimum, unsettling.
The psychology behind this is so interesting to me and something I may actually get into down the line. Was Owen truly as empathetic as he let on?
Owen felt empathy for the elderly Seraphite, yet paradoxically, he demonstrated very little empathy towards Mel and Abby, two of the most important women in his life.
Now let’s dive headfirst into the meat and potatoes.
He got Mel pregnant. Abby’s words, not mine.
Owen's actions toward Mel caused significant and far-reaching harm, rippling out to Abby as well.
Emotionally abandoning a woman during pregnancy, a time when she needs stability and reassurance more than ever, is horrific. That abandonment wasn't merely negligent; it was cruel, particularly in a world demanding trust and strong alliances for survival.
Emotional infidelity isn’t a thing anyone wants to own up to, until it happens to us, right? But Mel likely sensed it long before Owen’s physical betrayal, which would have left her incredibly insecure and isolated.
Owen’s inability to communicate or take responsibility for his actions likely diminished Mel's sense of agency and worth.
You either have it in you to cheat on a woman you're involved with or you don't.
This man not only carelessly contributed to getting Mel pregnant in tumultuous, uncertain times, but he turned around and risked doing the same to Abby in a fit of passion.
Kinda don't love a guy who behaves like this. Kinda think he's a creep in this regard.
Again, I wouldn't want any daughter of mine anywhere near him.
Abby would have eventually recognized this betrayal of Mel as part of his larger pattern of selfishness and avoidance. If he could emotionally and physically abandon Mel, the mother of his unborn child, what would stop him from doing the same to her? And for Christ’s sake, don’t say love, because that’s not a realistic notion whatsoever.
The destruction of Abby and Mel's bond sent a shockwave through their already fragile group, and Owen’s involvement shouldn’t be ignored if we want to have honest, interesting conversations about these characters and their dynamics.
Ironically, Owen's idealism was pretty selfish too; his vision of peace and his plan for a better world were merely a personal escape, ignoring the needs and well-being of others.
Yes, he was weary of the constant violence the WLF demanded of him. But at what cost was he willing to escape it?
While I could itemize his selfish behavior, example by painstaking example, it feels unfair and ultimately unproductive, as everyone is imperfect—in their world and ours. But Owen Moore's irritating self-importance and obnoxious behavior were impossible for me to ignore, solidifying his place as one of my least favourite characters.
I just think Abby would’ve made a much better father to Mel’s child by a long shot.
Uh oh. I did a controversial take, didn’t I?
