Bury Your Gays & The Last of Us

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Bury Your Gays & The Last of Us (Episode 3 - Bill/Frank)
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Special thanks to ‪@JessieGender1‬​‪@MainelyMandy‬‪@COLORMIND.mp4‬ and ‪@ThatDangDad‬ for their voices!
Discussing the Bury Your Gays trope and The Last of Us (Season 1 Episode 3 - Bill and Frank)

[@caelanconrad]

I'm so poor feed me plz: www.patreon.com/caelanconrad // One time tips on Ko-Fi!: ko-fi.com/caelan

[@caelanconrad]

I work harder and longer hours than you do.

[@caelanconrad]

I’m quite good at it, actually. I make enough here to live doing something I love that helps people and I get to determine my own schedule, work, life, and future. You, on the other hand, spend your time arguing with people on KZbin for free.

[@Jane-oz7pp]

​@@adamdux8064 It's almost like they have people who value the art they make and that IS a contribution to society. A far greater one than flipping burgers at McDonald's, but that's also not important because the value of a person and their deservingness of food is not reliant on their utility to a society that would extract their soul to feed another billionaire even more.

[@Gharbad_the_Weak]

"I'm so poor feed me plz" is literally the best ad for a Patreon I've ever heard.

[@Direfloof]

I find the reactive accusation of burying the gays thrown at this episode infuriating. Bill and Frank -won-. They. Won. As you said, most people in the real world don’t get anywhere near such a fulfilled, intentional love story. I almost cackled when you remarked that Bill and Frank literally did not get buried.

[@theocean1973]

The “bury your gays” question popped into my head as I watched it, but then I realized that it actually subverted the trope: it made their death actually matter because they chose to end their lives together on their own terms, lives which lasted much longer than most other people’s would in that dystopia. It’s not always bad to depict gay characters dying on screen, it just depends on why and how.

[@LeftHandStu]

Just to add to this, it was very funny to me after this episode that everyone was like emotionally devastated and all I could think was "Guys, that was an objectively happy ending, you are not prepared for what comes next."

[@LeftHandStu]

It's basically the inverse of the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet.

[@RaptorJesus]

Bill & Frank's story would've been a total win in a utopian world. In a world like "The Last of Us" it's almost like the Universe tapped them on the shoulder and said "Alright, you two get all the happiness, as in, there is no more for anyone else, ever, have fun with that".

[@LeftHandStu]

@@RaptorJesus I also realized while watching the video that they weren't buried, they entombed themselves in their own mausoleum, complete with illuminations of their love, and the sanctity of that final resting place is never disturbed. Also, connecting the open window to the opening menu of the original TLOU game is an incredible catch Caelan lol

[@nurieko]

Considering game Frank’s fate, the show runners technically resurrected a gay lol First time meeting him, he literally comes out of a hole in the ground. Back from the grave to take part in one of the most beautiful love stories seen in television and film.

[@LizbetNene]

There's a Greek myth about an old married couple who were offered a wish by Zeus in return for their hospitality, and they wished that when the time came for one of them to die, they would both die at the exact same moment. After a long life, they became intertwining trees. I remember hearing it when I was very small, and I've always found it a beautiful idea. This story made me think of that.

[@TheBastet613]

Baucus and Phelimon was one of my favorite stories and I think it was a beautiful portrayal of love and devotion for Bill and Frank

[@CasualShinji]

One other thing I caught was when Frank discusses a code system for the radio with Tess, he mentions using songs, and then says '80's obviously means trouble'. And Frank having lived through that decade and what it meant for people like him, it makes total sense.

[@theocean1973]

I didn’t notice that and now I have tears in my eyes… I know the survivors guilt of lots of gay men who survived the AIDS crisis and now I can’t help but imagine that it was part of what made him both a prepper and a virgin until he met Frank.

[@TheCountOrlok]

A wee detail to break my heart on rewatches =D Thanks...

[@betchbetchington6019]

Well shit, I totally missed that one. Thanks for pointing it out!

[@MadameDesu]

This episode completely floored me and my partner. Bill and Frank were given what is possibly the best possible ending in this story, but also in real life. So many people dream of growing old with their partners and dying peacefully on their own terms. I truly believed these men lived their best possible lives and that queer joy at its core.

[@caelanconrad]

10000% agreed!

[@renskedunnewold1995]

Bill and Frank get the happiest ending of anyone in the TLOU universe. Yes, anyone, including main characters. How anyone could think this was Bury Your Gays is beyond me

[@linguisticanthropologist8112]

I found this episode so moving because the relationship of Bill and Frank was a mirror of my relationship with my partner/spouse (both bearded men), except we had 33 years together rather than 17. He had an incurable, genetic illness for the last year and a half of his life, and watching Bill take care of Frank brought back memories of my taking care of him. It is wonderful to see a representation of a relationship that occurs in life, not just in the media.

[@caelanconrad]

I am so happy you had 33 years together, and I’m so sorry you didn’t get more. I don’t know you, but I won’t forget this comment. 💕

[@marcsles]

"What is better, than watching someone speak passionately about a thing that they love, except maybe love itself."

[@TheWinterscoming]

I'm just imagining you writing that "first of us/last of us" line and smiling smugly going "I'm so clever"... Fantastic line

[@jacksonwagon]

“Doing like a treadmill thing, but outside on the dirty ground and the floor doesn’t move” I passed away 😂

[@Tabbycalico21]

I sobbed like a baby during this episode. It was so beautiful. It made me happy to see stories written that allowed for the completion of a person's life, to see a bigger picture than just the magnifying glass on their tragedy.

[@Direfloof]

Also sobbed. Spent the second half of the episode not managing to tell myself to get ahold of my self.

[@Treeeboy]

Same! I got to the end and needed to just sit there crying to get it all out. They were so cute together too ^_^

[@TheBearAspirin]

We love apocalyptic daddy bears! The amazing thing about the episode is that it was written by a straight man, Craig Mazin. He was very aware of the "bury your gays" trope and worked relentlessly to correct that with this series. He wanted as many middle-age, gay men involved as possible hence the casting of Murray Bartlett as well as having Peter Hoar ("It's A Sin") direct the episode. He had another queer actor in mind but he was unavailable so they went with the perfectly cast Nick Offerman (his wife Megan Mullaly insisted he had to do the part). Mazin said he continuously asked for input from older gay men because the characters already start out in middle age and progress into elderly fragility, he wanted truth of the lives of such men. Two fun facts about the episode: 1) Everyone assumes Bill's "this isn't the tragic suicide at the end of the play" is referencing "Romeo and Juliet" but the writers are adamant about noting it's actually a reference to the Mart Crowley 1960's play "The Boys in the Band". 2) The quick flash of a portrait at the 23:30 mark is actually a portrait of Murray Bartlett from the queer series "Looking" where he plays Dominic.

[@JazzyFizzleDrummers]

Imagine being as good as frank at reading social cues

[@leptonGM]

The true fantasy of the series

[@elena_1776]

The entire episode I was waiting for one of them to die tragically, at this point I'm so used to it that I just expected it, and then they didn't do it!! They let them live long happy lives and die peacefully in each other's arms, they gave them the happiest ending of any of the characters and it was just the most beautiful surprise

[@clover2739]

I was expecting it to go how it did in the game with the tragic ending but I’m so glad they changed it completely and gave Bill and Frank a happier ending. Bill may be alive in the game but he’s so miserable

[@franciszekdo]

I wasn't sure what to expect from the show but I loved that they got to grow old (and during an apocalypse no less)

[@Owesomasaurus]

"I traded one of your guns" "Which one?" "Don't worry babe I didn't give away your fave boom stick I got you"

[@Hipsternebula]

watched episode three, cried, watched it again with my boyfriend, cried, watched your summary with clips of it here, cried again. the "bury your gays" trope is so wrongly applied to a story that spans twenty years and a whole relationship, where they get to put each other first, over and over, even in death, as old, well-loved men. thank you for the video, also you look fantastic 🫡

[@marsbie]

My boyfriend and I (both trans men) hugged each other and cried during this episode. Well, he teared up, and I sobbed. Going in I knew this episode had a queer relationship that was gonna have an emotional ending but I was really worried it would be a typical tragic post-apocalyptic accident. I was so relieved at how it turned out. It truly felt like they won. This was a happy satisfying ending and wow did I need it with how the world is right now. I'm so grateful to TLOU showrunners, and thank you for covering this for us and bringing up the Hays code too.

[@dolljunk]

To think how wonderful they spent their honeymoon forever in each others' arms.

[@tkmry158]

I was already tearing up reading these comments but *man*

[@wildcutecosplay]

I watched this episode and I cried like a baby. Also last of us said 'bury your gays? I thought you meant berry your gays.' This episode is so sweet.

[@Jane-oz7pp]

I just really appreciate that they were both very clearly masculine men, who were deeply and openly in love. That alone is far better than just about any representation I have ever seen.

[@yellowbutterfly6796]

"it's like one of those hang in there kitty posters, but it's a dead woman!" 1:59 great out of context quote right there

[@zemoxian]

“I’m old. I’m satisfied. And you were my purpose.” I’m tearing up just typing that. It put to rest any thoughts of the trope for me because the rest of the episode was a testament to a life well lived. The deaths were painful as death always is. But the alternatives of Franks continued decline or Bill’s loneliness in a world without medical or social support doesn’t make any sense practically or emotionally. It’s a beautiful, human love story, with a bittersweet but good ending. The only bad thing I can see is it’s uniqueness. Hopefully one day stories like this won’t be remarkable because the characters are gay. I think this is a step in the right direction that inspires more in the future.

[@Shield-Theyden]

That moment when Bill brought out the same meal he'd cooked for Frank is when I broke down and started bawling. God this episode was so good

[@Saphthings]

They ended how they started. They also got married in front of the piano where they first fell in love with each other.

[@michaeldriggers7681]

He didn't steal that wine; that was a legitimate salvage operation.

[@MichiruEll]

What a beautiful story! They weren't buried, they lived a whole life and then they got what I would call the good death. A death they chose because it was time, a death without pain or violence, enveloped in love. How beautiful!

[@Vickyeverythingelsewastaken]

"I see this again and I'm about to bury some gays!" "Like the 'hang in there' kitty posters, but it's a dead woman." This is my first video of yours and holy shit, you are an incredible script writer. Such a heavy topic tackled with nuance and occasional humor shining through the clouds. Bravo.

[@caelanconrad]

Thank you 😩😩😩

[@AammaK]

Highly recommend watching with subtitles turned on

[@KatherinaBathory]

I thought those were great line too

[@halt9072]

I'm very surprised people called this episode a "bury your gay trope". This is a trope about denying our lives and our happiness, killing gay people before they can truly/finally be happy. Not showing a sweet and complete lifestory. I found this episode so sweet and was so afraid of a violent death all throughout and I was so pleasantly surprised. Thanks a lot for this video

[@1968tonymouse]

This was one of the best reviews of this episode! As an older gay man (mid 50s) you put it in both perspective and context perfectly.

[@caelanconrad]

Thank you 💕💕💕

[@arin2747]

I loved this episode so much, I loved that it said it was never too late to find love, to be yourself, to have a meaningful relationship. Bill has never had a relationship with a man, and now he's like 50ish years old and the apocalypse has happened and by all reasonable expectations it wouldn't happen, but then it did, it wasn't too late for him to be happy

[@SamuraiMujuru]

Oh man, new Caelan Conrad vid. Time to wound my soul again.

[@caelanconrad]

I’m sorry and you’re right.

[@SamuraiMujuru]

@caelanconrad no need to apologize, it's part of what I come here for. I watch David Lynch to feel confused and uncomfortable, I watch Caelan Conrad to to be a mix of entertained, informed, and having my soul kicked in.

[@searchingfororion]

@@SamuraiMujuru You clearly have *excellent* taste. (Also I find it quite refreshing to see someone accurately and honestly describe how a David Lynch work makes them feel - which *is* his intention. I get so tired of people "missing the forest through the trees" by hyperfocusing on symbolism/"decoding" instead of actually experiencing it even *once.* It's an odd phenomenon, especially on YT.)

[@SamuraiMujuru]

@@searchingfororion I have as much fun going down weird "what does it all mean?" rabbit holes as the next person but that's just a nice little bonus, not what I'm there for. Does remind me I need to finish Inland Empire, though. Web was being uncooperative.

[@SamuraiMujuru]

By the gods, I've actually watched the episode now, my soul can't take this much punishment. 😖 The care and panache he uses to make the pill wine is both adorable and feels like getting stabbed in the kidney.

[@ellekim2617]

I started crying as soon as they kissed. I started crying watching this video. I feel like queer rep so rarely gets to be so full and human. Also queer couples getting old together always fucking gets me. The first time I saw it was actually the Macklemore same love music video and we have come so far since then in comparison to this. Thanks for covering my favorite episode of television ever.

[@SingingSealRiana]

the thing is, its even bigger, romance representation for straits is everywhere but it almost always sucks, the characters get twisted out of character, the love interest is devoid of personality, there is zero chemisty or care put into it . . . Fank and bill are not just one of the best queer love stories in conventional media, they are one of the best period, gay or straight it does not matter. I know maybe 3 others love stories I buy like theirs!!!

[@kevinscottbailey8335]

From a deeply closeted late 80s/ early 90s queer kid, thank you so much for this. For so long I just thought I was weird and sinful for being attracted romantically to both boys and girls when I was a kid. I pushed it all deeply deeply down and now I'm basically asexual. But I finally came out last year in my mid- 40s, and now I find videos like this life-giving and soul cleansing. Thank you for sharing your beautiful self with the world in this way

[@Kendorable]

My group call watching the episode was full of LGBT folks who were so happy to see all the time skips happening because we got to see two gay men get to grow old together, which is all any of us want. In a show where characters die every episode, this was the best possible ending they could have had. This story was not about the death of two gay men. It was about the life that two people in love shared together.

[@TMJW]

Sidebar: thank you for properly crediting THE CELLULOID CLOSET I know it’s a minor detail but strange how certain LGBTQ+ creators can’t get it right

[@harrylane4]

wow I do not think I would have caught this comment if I watched this 10 months ago

[@TMJW]

@@harrylane4 Just not so quietly screaming for years while that hack got heaped with praise, it’s been a time

[@francestieberg2122]

Not me crying through this video like I did the episode. I’m so happy you covered this, great job

[@theforgetfulalchemist]

I do wonder how they'll handle Riley and Left Behind

[@zljmbo]

not me ugly crying while watching Caelan talking about show I didn't watch based on a game I never even heard about. I appreciate your hard work and I can afford lowest tier so I am a lil bestie now

[@caelanconrad]

Thank you bestie 😩

[@leak3690]

I feel like Bill and Frank had the most beautiful story in a world of ugliness and loss. Literally every other character in the show has lost at least one person they have loved. Bill and Frank lived their story filled with love and got to close the chapter on their terms and in each other's arms. You couldn't ask for a more beautiful love story.

[@Sephirajo]

This episode ended me. I was stoked to see two queer men get old and happy through the ups and downs of life in a fucking zombie apocalypse.

[@anyonecan318]

watching the celluloid closet as a teenager was a revelation. I still put it on to fall asleep to when i am depressed about the world (so always).

[@caelanconrad]

Hate the depression part but love that you watch it when you sleep 🥺

[@anyonecan318]

@@caelanconrad i find the score and all the old gays talking so soothing.

[@Harvest717]

Unless the character's name is either Joel or Ellie, they most likely exist to die.

[@shanon4768]

haha spoilers even if their name is Joel, if you've seen anything about the second game

[@harrylane4]

Does he know

[@celondelon351]

The connection is shown not told in the most loving and subtle way their love was tender, beautifully written and acted. I so was moved their passing of time gave them a dignity we need to see more of, my heart truly broke but worth it, the ending was bittersweet.

[@rogercasulleras3224]

Berry your gays 🍓🍓 (Loved the video! ❤)

[@aerynstormcrow]

That episode was so beautiful. I was so angry at the letter Frank left Bill in the game. TO see it play out this way and to get the whole backstory was amazing. I cried the whole time.

[@sarah_cook]

Caelan this is gorgeous. Gorgeous. I hadn't seen the show. I still got very emotional

[@Sara_TheFatCultureCritic]

I found myself smiling through the episode, it was so beautiful and bittersweet. Such a great tribute.

[@matthewk2175]

I sobbed like a baby during this entire episode. I don’t think I’ve ever gotten a gay love story like this my entire life- it mattered so much to me

[@LogicGated]

I remember playing the game for the first time and the person I was with kept insisting that Naughty Dog was trying to "shove wokeness down our throats" it was then I realised that any thing that deviates from society's rigid expectations of sexuality will be viewed this way.

[@ethansteele6366]

Always nice to hear Jessie’s voice!

[@linneakou]

I have nothing to add, I'm just aggressively smashing that 'like' button and crying

[@UltraVioletPod]

Shedding happy tears as a sacrifice to the algorithm. Get the video zoomin

[@quckneasy]

I never planned to watch the show, as I'm not very into zombie or similar themes, so I'm extra glad you dug into this episode. I would have totally missed it otherwise. Even just this summary of the episode was so fulfilling to hear about. I'm glad it exists as it does. Thank you for making this.

[@angiep2229]

I'm gonna cry all over again. That episode was so beautifully written. And it makes me happy that you also watched The Magicians. That show meant so much to me and so few people have watched it.

[@EveryDayALittleDeath]

I looooove the Magicians. It's one of the few cases of the adaptation being overall better than the books (though I love the books too, and they are almost too different to properly compare) I'm still mad that people say it's guilty of queerbaiting - no, just because Quentin and Elliot don't end up together doesn't mean they're queerbaiting, Elliot is explicitly gay, and while Quentin never labels his sexuality he is absolutely into Elliot. The representation is there.

[@illawgical]

I have a niece and nephew that are both transgender and i love them more than anything in the world, and would do anything to learn more and understand them. This was the first video I’ve seen of yours by chance because I loved this episode so much. I’ve subscribed to your channel because it’ll be another way for me to understand their world a little better. Thank you.

[@rudetuesday]

Your writing turns on a dime. I laughed and cried, and grit my teeth with some jealousy because I need to write more, and you did NOT have to go so hard. I am so glad you did.

[@JothanGurr]

Damn Caelan you always stretch my brain in such interesting ways because of your multilayered analysis and half the time you make me ugly cry with the emotionalism rawness you bring to your subject matters. You are the best at what you do on youtube. Thank you for bringing the nuance and care to your videos that I love

[@gwendlevs.everything9178]

I’ve never watched the last of us and probably won’t (it seems like nightmare fuel for me) but your synopsis of this story arc had me ugly crying Excellent work as always 💙

[@legendswarble2845]

The show is much less violent than the game if you wanted to give it a try, but I get it if it's too much for you. That's totally fair. Given how good it is, there'll probably be a bunch of great video essays to watch instead

[@paulkennett]

This episode is so exceptional it's worth watching as a stand-alone. Think of it as a short movie.

[@DocKrazy]

Was scrolling through the comments and for a second there I was convinced I found ny own comment cause literally same

[@deuna799]

​@Legend's Warble Very true emotional yes, but Not a gory bit This show holds on to the idea of trying to have hope in living and not just surviving

[@elen5871]

oh my god i didn't know i wanted to watch this show, but this is one of the most beautiful things i've seen and i can't wait to see it

[@truecrimelover2022]

I'm in my mid 40s i can remember when their wasn't out characters on tv and only joe Jackson's real men was the music i was a teenager in hs when melissa etheridge, kd lang, etc came out before that we had to imagine and studios intentionally queer coded people and relationships like on the golden girls I'm so glad things are slowly changing it's a long time coming

[@cosmicenbi]

TLOU viewers vs Basic Media Literacy. Difficulty rating: impossible. Surprised to see that people jumped to read this as bury your gays and very glad you took the time to push back on that. I was a little worried at first that the show was going to uncritically support ultra conservative doomsday preppers, but I think they did great job of setting up Bill as a man who has everything he needs to survive, but nothing he needs to live. I also appreciated how much of Frank and Bill's characterization and relationship was done outside of dialogue. The wary stances and jumpy reactions growing into the kind of soft touches and intimate looks that we so rarely get to see for queer relationships on screen. The way he brings two glasses with the final bottle of wine so you just know whats coming next. A 10/10 queer story, I just wish my neighbors would stop chopping onions while I watch.

[@carlosriveraauthor]

I'm glad you clarified that this was not that trope. I personally hate it when any gay death infection is seeing as "bury your gays". This story was really beautiful because we saw two people live out their lives fully to old age. And their experiences together informed the main story by showing that there was value to their love. Bill and Frank went out on their own terms in reaction to a disease very closely related to Frank's old age and build deciding that he was also satisfied with the life he lived up to that point. This was beautiful.

[@AammaK]

I'm lesbian, just did three years of therapy, yet that episode was my most cathartic feature length cry in years. Felt so seen in a way that is hard to explain. I've been putting off watching stuff on it like this video, because it's just so shocking and disappointing that feeling didn't reach people like I wish it did, just because misunderstanding a single concept of media analysis. I didn't really want to think about it that way or ruin the impact it had on me with all the misguided negativity. But this is so importnt to understand, and you explained this very well.

[@GrayTimber]

Comment for engagement. I cry over Bill and Frank everytime I think about them. What was once a bad representation, turned into something beautiful and I'm so grateful that they went this direction when it would have been so much easier to go down the route of the game

[@lizzyfaire8857]

I'm in bed with gastroenteritis and when I randomly clicked, you made me forget my pain for a whole half hour. Thank you, fellow Canadian. You do us proud.

[@MarlenasFae]

This is so important. Thank you

[@BirdeeBlake]

Wow I can't believe I got out of bed to watch this and become a blubbering mess ahwajwhrjwhrw 😭

[@spitebiter]

You worded this entire video so incredibly well, it's got me crying. This episode really was just so... good.

[@nickelus9225]

Interacting with this video for the algorithm. Thank you for explaining this to those that missed the meaning.

[@FaiaHalo]

I was just thinking about how UNDERRATED your work is (and I hardly ever use this term) and I hear you mentioning how "our friend" the algaerythm treats you. I absolutely adore your content. Much love from Latin America!

[@leptonGM]

Oh my God Caelan you cannot do this to me, I am in public 😭 when you brought up that gay marriage wasn't legalized until after the outbreak, I lost it. This episode was something truly special. I'm not gonna say 'I never cry', I've had misty eyes brought on by lots of media through the years but this was the first story that had me, in full view of my wife, openly sobbing. Like, nose dripping kinda crying. It was so powerful.

[@WynneL]

My partner is probably a bit more likely than me to cry at things, which I find endearing, but here we were both sobbing in each other's arms. The romance was real. Bill and Frank lived the dream of all loving couples.

[@ryn2844]

I had zero knowledge about either of these characters at the start of this video and I bawled at multiple points during it.

[@wiiza4ever]

I cried watching that episode and I cried all over again watching this essay

[@SingingSealRiana]

I love the nuances of "who is the girl" frank offers both a cover and a way to open up at the same time. He knowes, he is very confident in his knowlage . . . but that does not mean Bill if willing or able to open up, to accept that. You can not force that realisation or moment of acceptence onto something, they themselfs have to be able to say it or it is meaningless . . . so he says something he knows is untrue to see whatever bill will hide behind it, or takes it as an invitation to finaly come clean

[@evermore331]

I never would have watched this show (just not my genre) so thank you for sharing this beautiful story

[@courtneydurham8429]

Bill and Frank won the apocalypse.

[@jaydemetrick8399]

Beautifully done. So glad I found your video! Just thought I'd mention another layer to add: the song Long, Long Time is about the singer's unrequited love for someone who doesn't even notice them. If you check out the lyrics, you can see why it made Frank cry while kissing Bill. It's an amazing study of their characters. The way Frank does it, it's for the pretty tune and the quaint, twangy, old-timeyness of Linda Ronstadt's singing without delving too deep into the lyrics.. But that is just the surface... like you say, he SEES Bill. He uncovers how deeply Bill groks the lyrics to his core when getting him to play it. And further prods Bill to reveal his true self by asking who the girl was. Testing if Bill was ready to open his armour and admit what he really wants. And damn, did Nick Offerman deliver. The trembling vulnerability of Bill being terrified and thrilled at the same time when they kiss and then when he's about to experience his first time. Even tiny moments like noticing the finger mark in the dust on his mantle when he bursts in on Frank with dinner. Or the hesitations and awkward lingering because there is a naked man taking a shower right on the other side of the bathroom door... his awkward walk to go shower with the little dash up the stairs after the kiss... And good gods, that strawberry giggle...! I think Murray Bartlett's warmth and gentle support for what must have been an intimidating situation for Nick as a straight man playing a gay character really shines through too and what they, and the writers/crew created with Bill & Frank is incredible.

[@lvlupproductions2480]

This was absolutely beautiful, as a preface I'm aroace (and that's all you get to know). I haven't watched anything on this series (or the games) other than a theory on how the zombie outbreak spreads. I legitimately cried just during your recap that's such an impactful and wonderful story.

[@human_plant]

Caelan, the videos you make are so beautiful. Thank you for giving your art to the world.

[@silthulhu2801]

The entire first time I watched this episode, I was so tense I couldn't let myself feel the events unfolding on screen, so I only really got teary eyed towards the very end of their arc. I knew the story from the game, and the fear of it becoming a Bury Your Gays story at any point during the episode was so intense. On every subsequent viewing of the episode I've not been able to stop devolving into a sobbing mess every few minutes, and every clip, gif, quote I see from the episode has the same effect. This was by far and away the best queer love story we've ever seen told in my opinion, and I am so beyond happy that this was the story they chose to tell in what is one of my favorite IPs of all time. Thank you for taking the time to explain to those claiming it to be another BYGs story how very much it is in fact the opposite, and doing so with such great nuance and depth.

[@silversam]

Everything in this video needed to be said and I'm glad you said it 💜 I haven't seen a lot of queer love stories, especially ones that get character arcs, happy lives, and even a happy - if bittersweet - end. I don't get to cry very often either. This episode gave me both of those. It felt like a milestone in storytelling and representation to me for all the reasons you talk about (and you brought out a couple more that went past me at first) Anyway thank you, you deserve good things 😊

[@keithknows1809]

My instinctive first thought is to say that whether they were gay or straight didn't matter. We all weeped like baby's watching this episode. But it _does_ matter. It is so important for people to see and feel just the basic humanity that's so often hidden. To be able to relate and empathize with people that may have otherwise just been other.

[@getahanddown]

Found you recently and binging the lovely content. How did you snark for 30 minutes but also have me wanting to double upvote for the lols then 10 mins later I'm crying. Dude pls

[@wolfie9229]

OMG I loved this so mucccch! That last line was sooo beautiful.

[@rphalange206]

crying laughing at "treadmill thing on the dirty ground" I had to pause because i was momentarily ded

[@HealsLFW]

The amount of emotion I had just watching these clips in your video is a testament to the impact of this story! This was a fantastic video! Very well made/written. I think I’m going to go rewatch that episode now and cry my eyes out!

[@TheDentrassi]

I bawled my eyes out at this. I haven't seen the show but I am so glad stories like this are being made. Your passionate words really resonated. Thankyou x

[@MCRacyT]

This was wonderful. Thank you, as always.

[@connerblank5069]

Damnit, I can't have you making me cry like this when I'm at work!

[@hannahthompson2547]

Beautiful video covering this! I absolutely loved this episode and got emotional all over again watching your video. Sending all the love ❤

[@domsusefulstuff]

Thank you for this fantastic perspective, there was a lot to think about from the past and for the future.

[@FiveTrenchcoats]

Fantastic video! This was a really eloquent breakdown of this episode and it really helped to put into words the reason that the story impacted me so much.

[@todayisforever]

this is so well done thank you for it.

[@The_Reaper_666]

So glad you made this, it was so good!

[@Sugardeluxe]

I stumbled upon your video in the middle of the night and I’m glad I did. You communicate a lot of how I felt in regards to a pocket of people who don’t truly know what the “bury the gays” trope actually means. Frankly it’s either an internet mindset or generational that compels people to slam things without any proper thought. As much I love The Celluloid Closet I think it focused a bit too much on tragic films. Granted they weren’t wrong with the subject matter but the focus was a bit narrow at times. Call me crazy but as a wee lad I watched so many gay foreign films and so many did not fall into a sad formula. The film Maurice was my first venture. Then My Beautiful Laundrette, Beautiful Thing, etcetera. So I have a different film history than most I guess. What I find most perplexing is how many of these dissenters claim that Brokeback Mountain was a revolutionary film. Yet it was the epitome of bury the gays. Meanwhile the later film Gods Own Country had a similar rural theme but was a superior film and guess what the gay couple got a happy ending. Yet it’s rarely mentioned as a contribution to gay cinema. The reason why I took the hollow Twitter whining about episode 3 of Last of Us to be insufferable (especially coming from fellow LGBTQ persons) is because this story was extremely familiar and personal. My fiancé ended his life because of failing health. Severe epilepsy. Foolishly I saw some of the signs that something was amiss but I let it go. Only to later learn he was found dead in his shared apartment. He was so tired of his pain and thought he would spare me the agony by what he shared in his suicide note. I would’ve given anything to have had a moment like Bill and Frank’s. To simply be honest with each other. It was his choice and I still would’ve tried to save him. But I never got the chance. So for people who’ve never suffered from chronic illness or severe depression or are simply done really should just be patient, understanding, or silent. Because even though this story was fictional it resonated with many people. I felt insulted by their complaining. Honestly this episode is haunting me but not in a bad way. I’ve been long winded and hooted a bit much for a night owl. I appreciate your message. I’ve subscribed to see what you do next. Thank you.

[@glutenfreesnark]

You always manage to pack so much emotion into your videos and I truly appreciate how you approach sensitive subjects with grace and compassion. This was really well done, as always ❤️

[@YondaMoegi]

i'm not gonna watch the show, not something i can handle atm, but i cried at the description of Bill and Frank's life and death

[@AtodaK]

Thank you for this. It was beautiful and I needed it today.

[@Keyatzin]

Great video essay, my dude! Thanks for your insight and perspective. It was such a good episode.

[@LegalKimchi]

Beautifully done video on an amazing episode of TV. Loved it from start to finish.