Warning! This article contains spoilers for Earth Abides.
Earth Abides' episode 2 begins on a hopeful note when Ish finally meets a survivor, Emma, but gradually adopts a darker tone as Ish and Emma face several grave challenges that test their will to survive. After portraying how Emma and Ish team up to overcome one issue after another, the episode ends with a massive cliffhanger that suggests another survivor will soon join them. WhileEarth Abides' episode 1has some horrifying moments, episode 2 seems to take things up a notch by showing a disturbing battle between humanity and nature.
With little to no humans left to dictate how the planet functions, animals gradually start reclaiming lands that once belonged to humans. Although Emma and Ish hope to rebuild civilization and make their surroundings suitable for their sustenance again, they struggle to battle against the forces of nature. Fortunately, for them, a gradual change in their dynamic fills them with a new sense of purpose, prompting them to forge ahead with more determination to survive.
9Ish Finally Meets Another Survivor, Emma, Who Isn’t Hostile
Ish Finds A Semblance Of Hope After Meeting Emma
Towards the end ofEarth Abides' episode 1, Ish gradually loses his sense of purpose, wondering if living is worth it anymore. However, before he can take any drastic steps, he finds smoke coming out of a neighboring home’s chimney. When he visits the home inEarth Abides' episode 2’s opening moments, he finds a woman named Emma, who initially seems a little cautious. As soon as he comes near her house, she points her gun at him and asks him what he wants.
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When Ish explains she is the only human he has seen in days, Emma realizes he is just another harmless survivor like her. After deciding to trust him, she lets him inside her survival home and offers him food. After learning a bit more about one another and their lives since the apocalypse, Ish and Emma shed their skepticism and learn to trust one another. This marks the inception of their relationship in the post-apocalyptic series.
8Ish Takes Emma To His Home
The Two Start Living Together
Emma reveals she only occupied houses that had a sales sign outside them because she knew they would not have any dead bodies inside. Ish assures her that he has accommodated a better home, and she agrees to leave with him. The two then end up in Ish’s post-apocalyptic home, where Ish cuts off a noose he had tied from his ceiling. This suggests that Ish was on the verge of dying by suicide because no one else was seemingly alive. However,finding Emma gave him a new reason to live.
7Ish & Emma Build Their Lives From The Scratch & Fight Against Nature’s Forces
They Face Many Dire Challenges Before Finding A Semblance Of Peace
Ish and Emma soon realize that, with no other humans around them, nature is gradually returning to its original state. In order to survive, they understand that they will have to fight back. While Emma seems to have a solid background and knows a lot about hunting and other survival skills, Ish gradually learns to find ways to sustain himself and Emma in the post-apocalyptic world. Emma even navigates the soil in Ish’s yard, hoping to use it to grow some food.
George R. Stewart’sEarth Abideswas one of the primaryinspirations behind Stephen King’sThe Stand.
Although the two do not suddenly stop relying on canned foods from the supermarket, they realize that processed food will only take them so far. Therefore, they gear up for a better future while attempting to provide themselves with basic human needs like food, water, and electricity. Ish even gains access to solar panels that help him power the electronics in his home.
6Ish & Emma Gradually Warm Up To One Another
The Two Get Romantically Involved With One Another
After building a life together, Ish and Emma gradually start depending on one another. Before they know it, they even get romantically involved, marking the beginning of a new phase of their post-apocalyptic journey. As Earth Abides' episode 2 progresses, it becomes evident thateven though Emma is slowly adapting to her new life, she is finding it hard to let go of her past.
Jenna Berman
Evie
Emma even finds it hard to share her past with Ish because she wants to keep her memories for herself. However, later in the episode, she feels bad about keeping Ish in the dark and opens up to him about her life before the pandemic.
5Emma Suggests They Should Start Looking For Other Survivors
She Misses Having More Humans Around Her
To Ish’s surprise, Emma suggests they should start looking for other survivors. While Ish does not seem interested in looking for others and hopes to only build a life for the two of them, Emma claims she misses having a sense of community. She craves being loved by many people andhopes to build a life that seems similar to the one she had before the pandemic.
…since Ish seems more used to spending time by himself, he quickly adapts to the isolation that comes in the pandemic’s aftermath.
Ish does not share the same sentiments because, even before the pandemic, he embraced solitude. He, too, misses his family and human contact like Emma. However, unlike her, since Ish seems more used to spending time by himself, he quickly adapts to the isolation that comes in the pandemic’s aftermath.
4Emma Reveals She Is Pregnant
Ish Is Initially Concerned By Her Decision To Keep The Child
InEarth Abidesepisode 2’s second half, Emma informs Ish that she is pregnant. For obvious reasons, Ish is initially caught off-guard by the news and wonders if he is ready to be a father. He also grows increasingly concerned about the lack of medical facilities and doctors in the post-apocalyptic world. However, Emma convinces him she will be fine and claims she will not require professional medical help. Although Ish remains slightly apprehensive, he supports her decision and tries to ensure she remains healthy during her pregnancy.
Despite having no previous experience of hunting animals, Ish also sets out to hunt a cow, hoping to bring food to the table. Using a book, he learns to hunt and butcher animals while Emma gives him her guidance. However, just when things start looking good for the couple, they face their biggest challenge.
3Emma & Ish Face A Deadly Rat Infestation
The Rat Infestation Nearly Kills Them
After spotting a rat in their home, Emma worries that a massive rat infestation might be around the corner. With little means to prepare for it, Ish and Emma try to battle the rats by shooting them and burning all their food supplies that attract the rats to their home. Although Ish and Emma eventually manage to secure their home by sealing every open space with tape, they accidentally leave their dog behind. In an attempt to save his dog, Ish ends up letting many rats inside. However, he takes it upon himself to eradicate them and asks Emma to hide in a safe place with the dog.
2Emma & Ish Bring A Child To The World
They Start A Whole New Chapter Of Their Lives
Although some complications arise when Emma goes into labor, she and Ish are able to successfully deliver their baby without any serious issues. Emma names their daughter Heather, and the child’s birth seems to strengthen the couple’s relationship. After seeing Heather in Emma’s arms, Ish confesses that he loves them. Emma, too, reciprocates by assuring him that they also love him. Given howEarth Abidesis quickly escalating its narrative,it would not be surprising if Emma is all grown up in the upcoming episodes of the series.
1Another Survivor Shows Up At Ish & Emma’s Doorstep
The Ending Suggests Emma And Ish Will Soon Meet More Survivors
Although Emma and Ish seem content with their own little world, Emma puts up a massive board near their home with their address and a note saying they are survivors. Moments before the end credits of theEarth Abidesepisode start rolling, a mysterious figure shows up before the board, seemingly looking for a place to stay. In episode 3, the newEarth Abidescharacterwill likely show up at Emma and Ish’s place. While only time will tell whether he will be a threat to them or become their ally, it seems likely that more new survivors will eventually join the show’s main characters.
Earth Abides
In this post-apocalyptic series, survivor Isherwood “Ish” Williams navigates the desolate remnants of civilization after a mysterious illness decimates humanity. Despite his initial instincts for seclusion, Ish faces the challenge of rebuilding society and fostering community in a world that has drastically changed.
