Episode 2 of "Earth Abides" kicks off with Ish embarking on a journey to the origin of a lingering smoke. As he approaches, a woman perched atop a rooftop trains a gun on him, her posture tense and wary. However, her defenses melt away like morning mist when Ish casually remarks that they're practically neighbors. This woman is Emma, and after lowering her weapon, she welcomes him in, soon inviting him to share a cup of tea with her.
It's during this intimate tea session that we delve deeper into Emma's background. Her mother, a former nurse, and her father, a military veteran, shaped her upbringing. Though born in Pensacola, she spent much of her childhood camping and hunting, fostering an innate adaptation to a survivalist lifestyle. She chose her current abode purely out of convenience—it was for sale, and in her darker moments, she feared she would perish alone within its walls. Now, thanks to Ish, those bleak projections have shifted; he helps her pack her belongings, and together, they venture back to his place.
Yet, their refuge is not meant to last. A rat infestation forces them to abandon their temporary haven. Arming themselves with resolve, Ish and Emma venture to the shops, stocking up on essential supplies before retreating into the wild once again. They revert to their survivalist roots, hunting, foraging, and working tirelessly to reclaim some semblance of control from Mother Nature, whom they seem to be seeking "payback" from.
As their bond deepens, the physical attraction between them becomes undeniable, leading to a night of passion that cements their unbreakable tie. Together, they focus on securing the essentials for a true life—solar panels for energy and petrol for transportation. However, in a moment of mishap, Ish stumbles and falls off the solar panels, injuring his ankle, a small setback in their larger journey of reclaiming the world. Having taken a brief respite from her usual duties, Emma finds herself drawn to the window that fateful night, sifting through a photo album filled with the relics of a lifetime—snapshots that reveal a husband, a daughter, and an extensive family tree. For a fleeting instant, sorrow creeps in, as she reflects on what once was and what is now but a cherished memory lost to time.
The following morning, Emma unveils a bombshell to Ish: she is with child. Ish is taken aback, uncertain about how they can safeguard a newborn in this new, harsh reality. Emma, however, remains steadfast in her conviction, believing that they can make it work and that Ish is inherently suited for the challenges ahead. Inevitably, they return to the library, their sanctuary of knowledge, to delve deeper into the mysteries of parenthood in their altered world.
Together, they manage to restore the lights, and Ish even manages to fell a cow, their hard-earned bounty. Yet, a more urgent dilemma arises: a plague of rats, swarming in relentless numbers. In a desperate bid to stem the tide, they scramble to eliminate as much refuse as possible, even resorting to burning the cow's carcass. But the rats are relentless, their numbers overwhelming. With no other choice, Emma and Ish retreat indoors, sealing the windows tight and disinfecting the toilets with bleach—unfortunately, they inadvertently leave Lucky behind. Remembering their faithful companion, they rush back to rescue him, and Ish valiantly battles the vermin, but in the fray, Lucky is injured.
As Emma and Ish fortify their defenses inside, time skips forward a year. Cats, nature's rat hunters, have taken up residence, systematically eliminating the pestilence. Miraculously, Lucky has also recovered fully. Yet, this period also marks Emma's approaching labor. Despite encountering some complications, Emma gives birth to a radiant baby girl, a beacon of hope and renewal.
As the trio embarks on their new life together, Emma spray-paints a message on the town's walls, announcing to any survivors that life persists here. As the camera slowly pans over the landscape, it captures a glimpse of a new arrival, perhaps another soul seeking refuge in this burgeoning sanctuary.
