Emotionally Damaged by The Last of Us 1x3: Long, Long Time [Blind Reaction]

[@HeroesReforged]

See this episode uncut on Patreon → bit.ly/patreon_reforged

[@tboards71]

Ha! You guys have the Podcaster Pro, nice! 🍾

[@barefootanimist]

For the record, there are guys out there who are gay/bi and want to live off-grid and self-sufficient...

[@ishtarnemdil5610]

I bet @Agustin still don't trust Frank 😂😂😂

[@nancymunlyn]

Speaking of comic books conveying scenes without dialogue, Garth Ennis has done some amazing comics of the Punisher. One of my favorite is called "In the Beginning" and it gives us a story from the Punisher's youth that kind of shows how his character was molded by events into becoming who he is later in life. And then, the present day, as we have a montage of him sniping and killing some mafia guys we just get a page that's the opposite of the spiderman comic, where there's no images, just dialogue. And it's the scene where his family has been killed by the mafia in a firefight and he's severely wounded. We just see speech bubbles of the people finding Frank (the Punisher) and his family all shot to pieces. "This one's still alive." "Hold him down." "I got his wallet, Frank? Frank, you're going to be okay!" "Oh God, the little girl..." "Shut up and put pressure on this!" And it just makes it so amazing because then our minds fill in the details of the scene as it's intercut with him killing mafia members now as the Punisher. Beautifully done.

[@speak123]

“I don’t trust that guy” You were right, he broke all our hearts 😭

[@denswa91]

🥺

[@alistairt7544]

Exactly. Goddamnit 😭

[@morganrichardson8859]

I love how the guys were like DON'T TRUST HIM! I'm like "chill, this is the best apocalypse love story of all time"

[@angla3383]

LMAO the first half of the episode my mom was convinced frank was gonna kill bill

[@kazehazeee]

lmao, when I saw Bill met Frank in that pit i immediately bawled my eyes out 😭

[@TheFiddleFaddle]

I gotta be honest, I kept expecting betrayal right up until the first time jump 😆

[@jaysax7381]

Since I had zero clue about the changes and assumed it would still fall in line with the game/their “big fight” I assumed he was gonna betray bill too lmao

[@728GT]

The whole time I was thinking something bad was gonna happen. I blame HBO 😂

[@shannonshort1970]

I am a 52 year old gay man very much like Bill (not in the “Prepper” sense but in the organized planned meticulous sense) and it’s common for those of us raised in Conservative areas to put on a front to avoid ridicule and stay safe. I’ve been chased, shot at, and beaten up during my life. This is the most accurate and genuine story of men like myself loving each other. My husband and I are usually rarely immediately identified as gay in the mainstream world. For me, this depiction is the most relatable gay love story I’ve ever seen.

[@KasperochSiri]

@@shannonshort1970 Sorry to hear what you and others in your situation have been going through. I live in Sweden and have a uncle who is gay. Growing up during the 90's here, being gay was mostly accepted (of course bad things happened to gays here to but nothing like that), so I can't imagine how it was for you. I'm glad that you found someone! From my understanding, some live "in the closet" untill they die because of things like what you went through.

[@Knightowl1980]

It will never not be heartbreaking and hopeful for a gay man like myself to see a story like this on tv and then to see straight men react to it with such empathy and emotion like it’s no big deal. It’s Just incredible how things have changed over my lifetime

[@vichurtado3485]

Love is love, my friend.

[@Knightowl1980]

@@vichurtado3485 that’m saying is a privilege of the time and progress made.

[@discobean7253]

❤️❤️❤️

[@DP-eo5xd]

When they first became a couple I thought it was some woke PC liberal BS with a token gay couple. But the story arch and character development of the two characters was spot on, really hit home. Very sad and emotional for anyone, just on a human relationship level. Great acting, great episode.

[@Hakkar6993]

I feel it.

[@curtisd5864]

Frank & Bill "won" the apocalypse in the only way that could have mattered. What a great episode. I love the gun going from Frank to Ellie - purpose to purpose.

[@tiagofialho7015]

And frank clothes to Joel!

[@gatangela2008]

Agreed. People were screaming at Neil saying this was "the happy episode", but i completely agree. This is the happiest ending any of the folks in the apocalypse could hope for. They went in their terms, and in the arms of the one they wanted to after years of being together with them. They 100% won.

[@miriam8376]

Heck, this is better than most of us are gonna get even not in the apocalypse. Dying pain-free when we're ready before we get too sick to enjoy life is the way to go.

[@paramitch]

100%. Beautifully put.

[@IandRsLoveChild]

My husband, who never cries during emotional scenes and is also very much a "food is a love language" type of person very passionate about good cooking, cracked during the last dinner scene when he brought out the same food they had when they first met.

[@vichurtado3485]

That's a good man.

[@thedanespeaks]

The little turn of the plate... Will break anyone.

[@AlexiaDark]

This episode didn't "pause this story" - this episode IS the story. The Last of Us is about love.

[@BoringTroublemaker]

Absolutely this ❤

[@MM-hi]

Absolutely

[@australianwi-fi]

Specifically about how love can be dangerous, and intense love isn't always a good thing

[@eme.261]

@@australianwi-fi - THE LAST OF US, above all things, is about love in its purest form. Love CAN be so intense that it's dangerous-- that danger comes when the person who holds the love carries great trauma coupled with the willingness and capability to cause others and themself great harm. Surviving isn't enough. Living to cause others harm isn't enough. Without love-- someone to love and someone who loves you, there's no purpose for living. In the end, love is the light in the darkness. Yes, love can bring suffering, but as Bob Marley explained, "Everyone is going to hurt you. You just got to find the ones worth suffering for."

[@PLBiohazard]

The Last of Us is about love. Absolutely. What will we do for love ? The most beautiful and the most brutal things. That's why even if The Last of Us 2 is emotionally painful, it's an integral part of this story.

[@clover2739]

Bill and Frank got a happier ending in the show than they did in the game 😭, I’m glad Bill got a happier life and grew old with someone he loves

[@IndianTelephone]

yeah

[@TheOnlyHawkeye666]

This episode was just Up during an apocalypse. What an emotional punch in the gut, and a great reminder that no one can survive alone...... everyone needs someone

[@rileykwinn3527]

no, it was definitely better than Up

[@grayden4138]

Exactly what I thought. And hit me in the same feels. Devastatingly beautiful episode.

[@keeganbate8935]

I see this take everywhere but honestly don't remember the part where the old man and woman from Up had a suicide pact

[@grayden4138]

@@keeganbate8935 Ever heard of nuance? If that's what you chose to focus on, good for you I guess, but the similarities are present and apt.

[@Ziaotic]

@@grayden4138 media literacy is dead these days. audiences need things fed to them and get angry at subtleties

[@ladrac198]

RIP to Annie Wersching who played Tess in the game😭 She died of cancer yesterday leaving behind a husband and 3 children.

[@Life_Weekend]

We will remember her forever.

[@casie6609]

😔

[@stijnvanrijsbergen8255]

Man, I spent like half an hour crying my eyes out with this episode. It's like they took those legendary first 10 minutes of Up and then went 'how about 50 minutes of that?'. Absolutely phenomenal. Excited to see what the bois think of it xx

[@viral4983]

i had to take a 10 minute break before finishing the last 20 minutes, i was crying that hard

[@gusiongossen3763]

@@viral4983 sameeee

[@jeffnumbers9649]

I was very emotional during Frank's last scene. Would I be able to experience that kind of love with a future partner? I don't know why Up never crossed my mind. It was a good call back for sure.

[@Tabnito]

Joel and Tess are self described "not good people" in the dinner between them all Joel says that they are good people. Clearly something changed. I appreciated seeing that not just the death of his daughter broke him, it was just a catalyst.

[@moosehunter11b12]

Joel describes himself as a bad person, but that is due to certain things he and his v\brother did to survive. He is involved in "not good" stuff but is ultimately a human being, and finds the father/daughter love. That was the event that broke him, but the good man was always somewhat present, and often in game talks about the events that led to he and Tommy becoming not good people. it was a catalyst, but it was still very centric on his daughter dying. Joel definitely would have tried to live a different life if his daughter had survived. But since she did not, he didn't see the point in being a good guy

[@MagmaMikeBach]

My partner and i wept openly for like 6-7 minutes watching this episode. Never had TV brought tears to my eyes, and never has a movie made me weep so. Unequivocally one of the most emotional moments in TV or Film in decades.

[@fxbear]

Oh man. Me too. I’ve been wrecked all day. My partner and I were so similar in that I’m the grumpy one and Gary was everyone’s little brother. Couldn’t have been more opposite, yet so perfect together. We lived in a tiny log cabin in the mountains outside of seattle. We were on a trip to Tucson when he woke up with a fever. He was gone by the next morning. This episode hit particularly hard.

[@CurseTheCosmos]

@@fxbear I’m sorry for your loss, Randy. My sincerest condolences.

[@byunbaekhyun4010]

@@fxbear saw your video for your niece and i think you're one of a kind. I hope life treats you better and i honestly wish you the best in life. I wish you love and happiness, even if you don't need it!

[@fxbear]

@@byunbaekhyun4010 I appreciate this so much. Thank you. I never bother to look at my own channel because I think no one could possibly want to hear what I have to say in my shaky voice. I’ll need to do some replying it seems. We ended up having to home school my niece because the bullying got so bad. Her siblings are much older and able to stand on their own but she’s the most sensitive out of all of them. We are very close though so I know she will pull through.

[@byunbaekhyun4010]

@@fxbear gods, some kids just live as proof of their parent's real failure at parenting. Please tell her that there are so many allies like herself and that when she grows up, she can surround herself with people with the same beliefs as well as others with queer relatives and friends. When she goes to highscool she can join clubs. Maybe even find a community outside school or join a volunteer group with kids of the same goals, and principles. Hateful people like to make the world look like a scary place. But there will always be others making a place for themselves. People she can find and love and be friends with. Queer people exist and are valid and are human and deserve to live in peace ✌. She'll find her own community. There's a whole world waiting for her~

[@bpowick]

This episode is some of the best TV I've ever seen. Bill hardly gets any screen time in the game and his relationship with Frank is only alluded to. I loved that they spent a whole episode dedicated to telling that story and making it as emotionally gut punching as it was. It also shows how much Nick Offerman is a powerhouse of subtle acting. The guy says so much while saying so little.

[@dookieJ7]

I always thought Nick Offerman was a great actor, but this was probably his best work. Absolutely amazing episode 👏

[@Venslor]

He's going to win an Emmy.

[@renmcg12]

I lived alone in a studio for the first year of the pandemic, the longest stretch I went without seeing another person was 4 months, it was rough. Compare that to Bill's 4 years, it hit hard. Watching him struggle to be in the company of another person, I can only begin to imagine. Beautiful episode.

[@adencoverdale3756]

I’m envious and not. I worked in retail so still had to work while (thankfully in my country) the government paid everyone to stay home. And while at work I was certainly thinking the fuck people are making more staying home and doing nothing than I am here. However I was grateful to be able to leave the house and see people.

[@Auxana13]

I went 4 months without leaving my house and about 6 months without touching another person at the beginning of the pandemic. I only talked to another human in-person every other week or so during that time. I'm not sure what I would have done without at least being able to hang out with people online on video chat during that time. I can absolutely understand Bill being desperate for just any chance of connection and letting this random guy in for a shower and food, even with his intense paranoia.

[@ninos68bug]

What I took from this episode: Frank falling into the pit kind of represented him filling the void in Bill's life. Not everyone gets to grow old and die with the one you love.

[@theConquerersMama]

I like that Bill started behind closed doors (closeted) and ends with an open window.

[@r.h.6249]

This episode hits even harder thinking how Bill probably was a conservative survivalist and had to repress his sexuality which is why he was antisocial and was happy when everyone was dead because he felt free...and then Frank came suddenly and suddenly he felt free to open himself and be vulnerable and let himself be loved the way he wanted to and that means the marriage scene was ever harder because at the time of the apocalypse, gay marriage wasn't even recognized, so Bill and Frank never lived in a world where there love would be accepted and celebrated and I think that is just so sad to think about

[@alexandremorim883]

Man, i've got to say that this absolutely goes into my top 5 of best episodes i have ever seen on television. It's beautiful, tragic, fun, sad. Bill tries to survive while Frank tries to live. What a masterpiece. Nick Offerman and Murray Bartlett deserve an Emmy.

[@MJR_heyfunny]

That's essentially the same thing I have been saying since I saw it. I def see awards being given for this episode.

[@shamancarmichael5305]

Frank and Bill's 'normal' life is a testimony to just how much the world has lost on so many levels. Art, music, good food, friends all have fallen to the wayside in the haze of survival. If Ellie can return that to the world, maybe that's something Joel will want to fight for.

[@maluinthe90s]

Just discovered this channel. I will say that you guys actually have very thoughtful commentary on the media on which you are viewing, unlike 90% of reaction channels that basically just comment on what's going on as they are viewing it. Its nice to hear well articulated opinions between three people.

[@HeroesReforged]

Thank you we really appreciate this 💗

[@basicsimp8798]

"I was never afraid until you showed up" This is how adaptation should be, it should improve it not just copy paste the entire thing. Love that Bill went from someone who loved that end of the world and being alone for years but met Frank and learned that's not how to live. It's a great parallel to Joel who even after reading his letter to him tried to close himself even from Ellie. Sad that some people are already hating this episode because gay characters exist. I'm not surprised, though. The Last of Us is more about realising that human connection is all we crave for even in the Apocalypse. From Ellie to Joel, and Bill to Frank. JUST GIVE THE SHOW AN EMMY ALREADY!!

[@simonhenriksson1254]

I think its incredibly funny how everyone who has gotten up to this episode has the initial reaction of "I DONT TRUST FRANK" as if the entire last two episodes havent been filled with calls of "We have to get to Bill and Frank's house, the house that they live together in. They will help us. Frank is so nice. These two people are our friends."

[@KasperochSiri]

I get what you are saying, but I didn't connect the dots untill Bill said his name. And I think many others were like me😁

[@cozmicshroomzpro1]

too often post apocalypse shows veer into "all people are untrustworthy" territory but what i love about this episode was it showed the reason we keep fighting for our sanity you know? Love, companionship, friendship, all reasons to keep pushing forward and showing that is so nice to see. Seeing two people fall in love, live their lives and, grow old together is rare in shows like this and it fits the theme of this story so well. Fantastic job by the writers, the actors, they all killed it.

[@Jakeylicious7891]

I was crying when my girlfriend and I were watching this. In the scene where Bill got shot, she asked me, "Babe, did you have a secret gay lover when you were isolating in the pandemic that I didn't know about? Did you lose him from Covid?" I chuckled and said, "You know I grew up having a gay uncle and his partner. It would break me if anything were to ever happen to any of them." And then she turned silent when she realised. She's known them for several years and when Bill and Frank's last day was on, she was bawling her eyes off.

[@fiveoctaves]

You didn't answer her question. 🤣😂🤣😂

[@sanneannelies843]

I love that it was there own choice to go out the way they did. In this series, a lot of people's lives get taken from them. It is so powerful in this dangerous world that they had a different choice. That people got to have a life and have love. It makes it more powerful to me. That the human side to all of us is never really gone. ❤️ Bill and Frank in the game is awful in the heartbreaking way. I loved this so much more and made it more real to me, because Bill would change for Frank. Amazingly done by the creators❤️ Also go and watch/hear the podcast for this episode. It is amazing! I was hooked on what they were saying and the choices that were made. Amazing work❤️

[@walt33743]

I agree completely. They werent killed, or taken from each other. They lived, they loved, and they died together on their own terms. Beautiful, brutal, heart piercing. This episode (In my opinion) outdoes the game's version of Bill and Frank by miles. I havent cried in years. I sobbed watching this.

[@kldawson53]

Agreed. I've seen so many of the gamers complaining, but I don't get it. I think this was a good change. I get that people missed Bill and Ellie's interaction, and that some people want it to be completely dystopian. But I preferred this. We'll have plenty of the rest of it shortly and the idea that some could make something good out of the situation makes the whole "apocalypse " even more tragic and dark because it shows how messed up FEDRA, the Fireflies and most humans are. Edit to include that I loved the game was skeptical about the adaptation before watching.

[@TeamEmmett7799]

@@kldawson53 i also played the game, multiple times through, and it’s still one of my all-time favorites but I absolutely LOVE how they expanded Bill and Frank’s story in this episode. It was so beautiful, heartbreaking, lovely, and just…one of the best things I’ve seen in a while. I know some people are complaining, but idk why because the adaptation is doing amazing so far (I was super skeptical in the beginning) but man…Bill and Frank’s expansion was amazing, and I’m glad they gave that to his character.

[@bigmafe1379]

Best reaction video I’ve seen of this episode. The mistrust of Frank and “are they flirting?” Exactly how I felt watching as well until the point where we surrender to their love story.

[@100Companions]

"This guy is about to rear chokehold him." ....Well yes and no 🤣🤣🤣

[@graveyardghoul8482]

I just love how emotionally mature Hector is. You bring a great perspective to these reactions. This was such an amazing episode.

[@loulougeezer]

I dont think i've ever been this emotional watching a tv show it was too much for me... so beautifully done.

[@aspannas]

Oh you need to watch buffy the vampire slayer then

[@jubilantsleep]

**Spoilers!!! Non Gamers AVOID!!!!** The only thing that helps is realizing that Bill & Frank (in this show anyway, not the game) had the best ending of anyone in the entire game. (Sorry for spoilers)

[@mirandaskylar9094]

I don't know if anyone's mentioned, but gay marriage wasn't legalized in The Last of Us, the first state that legalized it happened in 2004, the world ended in 2003 for them. So that makes the marriage so much more impactful

[@markkostecki4558]

Lmao Augustin is so suspicious the whole time i love it

[@GrimGearheart]

22:56 When Bill finds Frank in the hole, he tells him he can get to Boston by nightfall, so it's only a few hours trek from Boston to Bill's house. So they were definitely dead when they left on the trip.

[@TheFiddleFaddle]

This episode is hands down some of the best television I have ever seen in my life. The acting, the directing, the writing, the emotional beats and callbacks...just wow. This show is so much better than it deserves to be.

[@dababa85]

I keep going back to Hector's words in this reaction. The whole thing about our pandemic and how we had to quarantine and how a lot of people were really struggling during that time. I love that he shared the story of his friends doing the two week quarantine just so they could hug. And how one broke down crying in the hug. Sometimes we forget just how much ... us humans are social creatures. And we desire...need.. to be held and loved and just be around others. It was a beautiful moment. And even after watching your reaction yesterday, i'm still thinking of those words today. Thank you for sharing this with us

[@rgractor]

This show reminds me of The Road. The idea of Bill and Frank’s love providing the seed for Joel and Ellie’s relationship to further and deepen is so much like the idea of “carrying the light” in The Road. So beautiful.

[@RandomJtv]

This show NEEDED this episode to really ground what the theme of it is, and make it clear that The Last of Us is not about the mushroom zombie apocalypse, but living for a purpose. Bill and Frank’s relationship wasn’t something we even saw in the game. We don't even see Frank alive. So when I heard Murray Bartlett was cast, I knew there’d be changes. But even so, I never expected this much of a change. It was so well done. The thing that’s been consistent with this show for me, is that the strongest moments are those which deviate from the game. And this was the most extreme example of that. Nick Offerman and Murray Bartlett’s prices just went up.

[@carpevinum8645]

It was more happy than sad. They got to pass in old age, after a long life where they were loved, with agency and dignity. This is something neither queer, nor disabled, characters are usually granted in media.

[@iceman10129]

It pains me that this episode is getting review bombed, and you know why. For a solid ten episode to get hurt by homophobia just sucks for those working on creating such a beautiful story.

[@stevemcgowen]

Some republicans are now calling for a congressional investigation of HBO for being too ‘woke.’

[@deadshot-snipe4070]

ignorant fools don't know that bill and frank were actually gay in the videogame

[@vincible45]

For those who want to cry even more, the song that plays during Bill and Franks last day is called ‘On the Nature of Daylight’ by Max Richter. Your welcome 🥲

[@sharmashari]

This episode made me remember that surviving without purpose is empty. Even if the most awful circumstances, you need something worth surviving for 😢❤

[@not2sharpmd]

Part of me wanted to see you guys just relax and accept the love story instead of worrying that they were going to turn in each other, but I think part of the beauty of this episode, and why it worked so well for me, is how efficiently it puts you in that paranoid mindset of Bill’s POV, which makes it all the more miraculous and meaningful when he does finally let down those defenses and they earn each other’s trust.

[@l0st9]

Love the reactions to this episode. I also see a lot of people reacting the same way to Frank asking Bill to let him go like it's rough to ask that of someone, which is valid. But I feel some people miss the point that Frank not just wants to move on because he's miserable but that he also sees himself as a burden to Frank now that he's sick and needs him to basically do everything for him. Of course Bill loves him and would do everything for him but I think this was Frank's way of showing his love for Bill too. This story was just really heartbreaking on so many levels. Great storytelling and acting like you guys mentioned and amazing side story for this series.

[@vichurtado3485]

That's a great analysis, one more reason to bawl on a rewatch for me.

[@AmanCreatesArt]

Right?! I thought about that later too. Bill’s this old guy, and he has to do everything including lifting and carrying Frank in and out of bed. It’s gotta be really hard on his body. I love that he continued to take care of the plants and everything even though it was originally just Frank that wanted to make things look nice. What a character arc!

[@cadiedover8067]

HBO came for our throats with this one. A career-defining performance for both gentlemen. Literally one of the most affecting episodes of TV I've ever seen.

[@GiantDivineMoth]

I think Bill was desperately lonely even before the apocalypse so his emotional defenses were low when frank came around. It makes sense to me at least that he'd take him in

[@Vrynn10]

I just stopped in to say Hector’s Offerman impression is great.

[@FrolleinMiez]

Just watched the episode and wow... So beautiful and emotional. What a story and the acting was beautiful. I had such a good cathartic cry. Needed this. Bill and Frank are forever in my heart. What a wonderful love story.

[@alistairt7544]

That was such a nice added detail, when Joel tried to open the bedroom door, since the windows and the front door was open, it created a pressure and slammed the front door close, distracting Joel and preventing him from seeing Bill and Frank's bodies. Then hearing Ben's letter, so that saved him the sight of their dead bodies. Then the final scene looking out the window with Bill's portrait in the side...it was so bittersweet 🥹

[@jhornacek]

Pretty sure the bedroom door was locked (by Bill). That's why Joel couldn't open it.

[@thedarkknight2221]

I cried once every 15 minutes this entire episode. This is one of the most beautiful and emotionally powerful episodes of tv I’ve ever seen. This felt like a movie that I guarantee would be on every critic’s shortlist for best picture at the Oscars. Neil Druckman said in the BTS video after the episode that he and Craig Mazin had this philosophy on the show “when should we deviate and when should we come back, if it’s kinda the same or worse then they stay (completely faithful to the game), if it’s better we deviate”. I’m SO DAMN HAPPY THEY DEVIATED! And I’m so happy that it ended with them dying together instead of Bill just forever living alone like in the game. Also I loved the Mortal Kombat 2 cameo. And of course Ellie’s favorite character would be Mileena. Tragically yesterday Annie Wershing who played Tess in the game passed away at 45 due to cancer. So when they showed the flashback with Tess and Joel I cried. Rest In Peace Annie Wershing.❤❤

[@vichurtado3485]

Emmy, not an Oscar, because it's not a movie. But 100% agree. This is up there with Ozymandias as a perfect episode for me.

[@joec2104]

The end scene is actually the menu screen on the game, so cool!

[@ItsAlwaysSlushie]

"Hes gonna rear naked choke Nick Offerman" was hilarious when you already know what happens. I mean, he was sorta right.

[@MichaelROLeary]

I adore how much overthinking about ulterior motives y'all had about this one. Really love seeing the realization happen in real time.

[@damienkakoschke3099]

I love "I'm invested in Frank & Bill & I don't want anything to happen to them", aww, ya big softies. Very nice.

[@83gemm]

I know this episode is so truly beautiful and bittersweet, but I swear that cut from “I’m gonna stay a few days,” to their a-few-years-together fight is so damn funny and accurate. If you’ve ever been a single friend of a couple, it’s so true that out of nowhere they have a spat about decor like that. It’s not an unhealthy thing; they’d still take a bullet for each other- they just can’t agree on wallpaper. 😂

[@Saphthings]

In the first episode they didnt have pancake mix, said no to biscuits, he forgot the cake, and she didn't want raisin cookies. Four times by stroke of luck they missed getting infected.

[@mattcollins3591]

I’ve thought about this all day. In a way it reminded me of my own relationship and opened up my eyes a bit. Never take things for granted.

[@felixmurley-anderson5620]

I absolutely love that you were right about Frank and Bill not ending well - but not in the way you thought 😢😢😢

[@clover2739]

At least it ended well compared to them compared to the game 😭

[@deathsaidhello]

@@clover2739 fact. Bill got a happy ending in the show. Video Game Bill would strangle Show Bill while calling him profanities for having it so good. Video Game Bill is Not Ok lol

[@Siansonea]

This episode was one of the most touching hours of television I've ever seen. This is one for the books.

[@grey3886]

I truly felt this episode as a complete win for the characters involved. It felt so organic how both men recognized their humanity in each other. Loneliness had plagued Bill his entire life which rationalized his personality and Frank’s levity, confidence and affection helped as both matured into something meaningful and a complete human experience. We witness them living a full and beautiful existence from their first day till the last. I recognized the nuance of Joel reflecting on the letter. It was not guilt. It was regret. It was anger and disgust because he never had what Bill thought he did. He never was in love with Tess, it was always one sided. Joel made the death of his daughter his entire life experience instead of acknowledging others who lost their loved ones, yet were brave enough to be emotionally open to possibilities. Frank and Bill were very special and a validation was that LOVE will always be the core of what is to be human.

[@lessthanthreemetal]

I watched this entire episode with my fiancee, who has never played the game. I thought I knew the entire time what was going to happen. I was so wrong, and it was so beautiful.

[@L-92761]

Whoever thought of casting Nick Offerman as Bill deserves an instant raise

[@ToMPaSHKoV]

The beauty of this episode is that it subverts our expectations. We've been conditioned through modern storytelling to fear everything, especially the benign, the innocuous, especially in this particular genre of horror, so when we encounter a story about caring and trust and commitment, we don't know how to process it; it hits hard. 'I was not expecting this' seems to be the most common refrain. This is a series about a 'zombie apocalypse' where anyone and everyone can go from being a loved one to a mortal threat in an instant and yet this particular episode is about love, matrimonial and romantic; a masterpiece. This is one of the best stories ever told on film, in my opinion and it's based on a video game. We've come a long way from Pong.

[@blueskybelyr]

Genuinely was in bits during the montage of Bill and Frank's last day. Mannn seeing them so peaceful and happy at the end of the world. Also, seeing how suspicious you guys were of Frank in the beginning was hilarious lmao

[@catswithlasers]

This episode was perfect. It was a great way to introduce us to Bill and Frank, as well as tie their story into Joel’s character development. I think my favorite scene is when Joel goes outside and crumples the note to his chest and squeezes his eyes shut. It shows a brief moment of vulnerability as he lets his guard down over the loss of his lover and learning that his “friend” and his “friend”’ boyfriend are now dead. What an incredible episode!

[@darrinnoble]

Wow! This one hit so damn close to home. What incredible writing, set design and acting. I'm disabled and my wife is my caregiver. It has made us so much closer than we were before. 👨🏼‍🦽

[@ChickenWings103]

Man, this series is making people cry with every episode. They are absolutely killing it so far

[@scottlouis]

This was amazing. The performances, beautiful. “I was never afraid before you showed up.” Absolutely Devastating. 😢😢😢😢

[@eternalmiasma5586]

This episode is a masterpiece, I use that word a lot but I MEAN it with this. The line “because this is my last day” is where it hits the hardest

[@julesvillega]

it's great that this show was able to make people (who haven't played the game) care about characters in less than an hour and cry for them in the end

[@alexjames4770]

You guys are spot on about the bread/cookies the neighbors were eating. The reason why Joel, Sarah and Tommy were unaffected is bc Joel is on the Adkins diet, so Sarah doesn’t make pancakes, he declines the biscuits, Sarah hates raisin cookies and Tommy re-heats some leftovers from the fridge, unintentionally avoiding all items that contain recently purchased flour.

[@jeffquinz2118]

It so cool that you picked that out. I was going through my head about how they avoided being infected in the first episode. That's great attention to detail, man! :D

[@panamakira]

My sister at first was like don’t trust that guy Bill, to then sobbing at the end. Man I’ve seen the episode twice and it’s just so good and emotional.

[@albertorivera4485]

Something that nobody or very few noticed, is that this episode also makes more sense to the sound of "Never Let Me Down Again" in the first episode, since, in addition to knowing why the 80's mean trouble, also who gives the idea and who is the one who reproduces them, also the meaning of the lyrics: " _I'm taking a ride with my best friend_ " as the meaning of their last ride, each accompanied by their respective best friend in life

[@rennijo]

I love that when Pedro came out after cleaning up, you all turned into overbearing tias. "Woooow."

[@peterrasputin3679]

So.... it was just a different type of rear naked choke hold. :) What an incredible episode of television 10/10. Offerman needs an Emmy 1000%!

[@vichurtado3485]

Rear naked chokehold is the best position name

[@fajaradi1223]

You guys have such a fetish.

[@LatetotheParty]

AND....we are in tears once again! 😭😭 Love ya, boys! 💜💙 11:52 Well.... you're not wrong. 🤣

[@vordt4139]

Ya'll watch everyone I do?? we meet again.

[@smeg4brainsukaya]

Absolutely unbelieveable episode. In the game Joel and Ellie get to the town and meet Bill, Frank is mentioned but not there at the time. Eventually you find Frank has committed suicide and left a note for Bill basically telling him he could not cope with Bill's segregation and it is confirmation they are lovers. Bill never dies, lives on to be a recluse. It's actually a great moment in the game and I expect many will be upset they did not follow it, but imo this was a far superior experience and shows the difference between game and TV story telling.

[@jeffquinz2118]

This. They need to see this so they can compare the video game story and the series and how similar yet stark they are with each other.

[@kevinfp6430]

Tbh, yeah, would have wanted to have this episode as somewhat an introduction for the Lincoln arc. Would have totally liked to see those dialogue between Ellie and Bill. But, it's still a wonderful episode, storytelling at its finest and it fits very well even if its the biggest departure from the game so far.

[@vichurtado3485]

Thanks for sharing the game version. I haven't played it so I appreciate the comparison.

[@actuallyerik1623]

I love that every fiber of people beings feels like something terrible is going to happen if Bill trusts Frank. But he does and Frank is the one guy in this world that is good to trust. Beautiful

[@ChrisVZ77]

Offerman should have a lock on an Emmy with his performance in this episode.

[@alextorry4057]

I’ve see so many reactors not trusting Frank… It’s almost like they didn’t hear Joel telling Ellie at the start “Frank is nice” 🤣🤣

[@HeroesReforged]

A lots happened in 3 hours of television.

[@LaraLeeCupcake]

Looking back that's hilarious because obviously it's unsaid that Bill was not friendly. And now we got to see it.

[@michaelsturze788]

When I realized that the music when Bill pushes Frank in the wheelchair into the bedroom is the music from the giraffe scenes from TLOU Part1, that really killed me. What an incredible episode.

[@eddietucker7005]

As a gay man, we know full freedom and acceptance can only be felt when the world changes. Well, there was an apocalypse and the world did change. Bill and Frank had no reservations. They got to live in that open freedom that we today only wished we could. It was beautiful to see a gay couple relaxed, falling deeply, madly in TRUE love with no worries of what others thought. Or fear of what others will do. I know the world won’t change in my lifetime but I’m doing what I can for future generations to feel that openness.

[@cujobo]

This story hit me like a mac truck. The shots and directing are spot on.

[@walt33743]

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how you write television. 11/10.

[@OEx25]

Think you guys were talking and missed the song at the end of the episode was the song they sang on the piano the day they met. So beautifully written

[@forkless]

I really love this fleshed out backstory of Bill and Frank. It is the bitter sweet antidote that will be needed for what's to come.

[@Splucked]

"How long do you think they've been on the road?" 74 mile walk and they were moving leisurely. Probably 9-10 days. This really was an awesome episode. Heart wrenching.

[@Michaelneiss]

Besides a beautiful relationship, this episode is also telling us much about a way to remain human under the most adverse of circumstances. Initially, it took a capable man like Bill to save this remaining patch of civilisation, albeit rather by accident than by design. But it was the determination of Frank that turned both of them into custodians of the little world that the murdered ones left behind. Even though it is not spelled out explicitly during the episode, it feels to me that the small acts of appreciation that Frank and Bill came to bestow upon their physical memories also served to restore the very dignity that their own government denied them when it chose to dispose of them back in 2003. As a result, the whole neighbourhood becomes a shrine which preserves the last remnants of the same civilization that we only spot in a state of total ruin elsewhere. Therefore, it feels twice as heartbreaking to know that Bill and Frank have gone for good and that the place is doomed to fade like the rest of the world.

[@yashohashikoto9945]

In the game, we only get a glimpse of Bill and Frank’s relationship but doesn’t have a deeper story behind them. Such a great back story to where their relationship began.💯👌

[@WesJFin]

One of the best episodes of Television in a long time.

[@rmendoza720]

If you dont shed at least ONE tear watching this then I question your humanity.

[@LunaC_literaturecoach]

This episode hit me really hard, among other things because my bf and I are in a LDR and were separated for a year and a half during the pandemic. I really felt that sense of dread in the isolation, without knowing when it was going to end.

[@TimeIdle]

It feels like three Bills are watching/reacting to a story about Bill. :)

[@Justjoshinh]

someone posted this in another video but. Bill knew how to survive and Frank knew how to live ☺

[@josevalencia4443]

The window open is the title menu to start the game.

[@sheaheavey5643]

i just realized something: bill says to frank at the beginning that he can make it from his house to boston by nightfall. assuming the song was bills signal of their plan, they’ve been dead two days TOPS by the time joel and ellie get there

[@vonniestewart4416]

comedic actors make the best dramatic actors and this proves it again: bob odenkirk in better call saul, robin williams in anything, nick offerman, michael mckean in better call saul as chuck, so many examples other than those. if you can make people laugh, you can make them cry

[@ciuvarioan7445]

This episode deserves his own Oscar! What a great performance!

[@MaguizMorochiita]

this episode was something for the ones who have played or watched the show. I really looooove how they show the bill and frank story. it was so well made, i was crying from the piano scene until the end

[@timstackii]

I think he was so trusting up front as he missed human contact and didnt realize how much until he had it again.