My hope is that Kane will be able to love her enough for both of them, until she can prove to herself that she can find her humanity again - and that she never truly lost it. It’s upsetting to see Abby so hopeless, so full of loathing for herself, that she’s willing to literally die for her sins. Immediately after the episode I thought Kane choosing to adhere to Clarke’s list meant that he wouldn’t be saved, but re-watching the episode I’m pretty sure we’re meant to assume he’s considered ‘essential personnel’ (he is Chancellor after all). Now, with Abby safe in the bunker, I don’t think she’s dying. The difference is that Kane does not let her make this choice - an interesting moral dilemma, a whisper of the Arkadian death cult arc, and the dignity of letting someone die in the manner of their choosing. It was his choice to stay behind in Arkadia, and it is Abby’s choice to die in Praimfaya. Kane pulling away from her is a bittersweet mirror of how he refused her kiss when he thought he was the one who was dying, as he faced his near-certain execution in season 3.

House of cards season 4 episode 12