The Last of Us Episode 3 'Long, Long Time' REACTION!!

[@NikkiStevenReact]

The Last of Us ep3 full watch-a-long REACTION: bit.ly/3J6iqMI We are up to season 5 of The Last Kingdom on Patreon... watch the full watch-a-long REACTIONS here: bit.ly/3TE2bJ8 We have started Sons of Anarchy: watch the full watch-a-long REACTIONS here: bit.ly/3ZervbO If you want to keep up with us, the community, the schedule and everything we have going on, join our discord. It's fun and free: discord.com/invite/stikkerfam We stream LIVE on KZbin, give it a sub: kzbin.info

[@steeverogers5274]

shame on woke hollywood for forcing lgbtq , feminism and sjws in every project. This is unacceptable.

[@TheRedRaven_]

Two things that made no sense to me in this episode. - Bill standing in the open shooting his rifle instead of shooting from cover, Bill is a trained operator according to the game, so….yeah lol what was that? -Joel stashing the AR when Bill would obviously carry the most popular rifle ammo in the world in his basement.

[@TheRedRaven_]

@JakeSullyCM Lol nah it doesn’t make sense, I’m expecting the show to give me answers, not you (no offense).

[@TheRedRaven_]

@JakeSullyCM Both the show and the game show us that Bill is a tactical operator/survivalist prepper so it’s just common sense he should have been firing behind cover. It’s just a poorly directed scene, no show is perfect and should respect our critiques. I critiqued walking dead for example, in the earlier shows they wouldn’t cgi bullet casings ejecting for the ports of rifles/pistols, they fixed that in later seasons. Moving on, the stashing of that AR isn’t the core problem, it was the dialogue. Joel said something like “No reason to have a gun you can’t find ammo for”. We’re supposed to believe Bill doesn’t carry 5.56 NATO rounds (a common rifle round)? Makes no sense whatsoever and this moment isn’t in the game either.

[@ibebruce5372]

at the beginning you asked where it was filmed. It was mostly filmed up here in Canada. I believe mostly above and on the Canadian Shield

[@JeffKelly03]

"I like you older. Older means we're still here." What a simple yet terrific line.

[@jomac2046]

Yes, getting older is a lot better than the alternative.

[@mosovanhe]

This reminded me of something my Grams used to tell me whenever I complained about not wanting to celebrate my birthday because I hated getting older. She always said: "it's a good thing you're getting older - because if you're not getting older, it means that you're dead. Don't focus on those numbers. Just live. Just be. Be here in the now."

[@jazzycat8917]

Specially when you consider than Bill and Frank were probably teenagers or 20 somethings during the height of the AIDS crisis. There's an entire generation of gay men who never got to grow old.

[@kvoltti]

In the context of the show these were two gay men who grew up during the 80's and the AIDS epidemic. They saw their elders wiped out. In this universe homosexual sex had only been legal in the US for three months and the first state to legalize same sex marriage was still months away when the outbreak occurred. There is weight in every line

[@JeffKelly03]

@@kvoltti You're absolutely right. In their final scene, I'd guess they're both in their 70s, so they would certainly have been adults during that time.

[@TheSuperNats]

Bill won the apocalypse imo. Was safe, never hungry, found love with a hot and sweet man. Loved this episode, cried a lot at the end

[@NoFirstNoLastName]

So glad to see I am not the only one who thought Frank was hot.

[@matthewvollmerhause6272]

Agree 100%! They loved, they lived fearless and together!

[@ed4348]

Most importantly he died on his own terms which is a luxury to have in apocalypse

[@tombystander]

Nikki and Steven seem to have a pretty damn good relationship themselves💪🤜🤛

[@madelinegarber7860]

Oh totally. Bill was living his best life in all respects. He was made for the apocalypse. The hot and sweet man was just the icing on the cake.

[@ChillyCucumber]

I just realized how brilliantly the first episode justifies them not getting infected: - Sarah makes eggs instead of pancakes. - Both Joel and Sarah decline the biscuits from the neighbors. - The neighbors make raisin cookies instead of chocolate chip, so Sarah doesn't eat any. - Joel forgets to pick up a birthday cake. - Tommy gets arrested at the bar before he can have anything to eat or drink there.

[@zacharyashmore1830]

What the fuck dude? Didn't even realize that. Good call.

[@lizd2943]

But the real question is, did Frank pick the Linda Ronstadt song and play it badly on purpose to get Bill to play it with more feeling to set up getting him to admit he's gay?

[@Hamantha]

@@lizd2943classic queer test

[@atb2674]

Caught the pancakes, cookies, and birthday cake connection after the Indonesian professor commented on the grain/flour as a substrate, but I did not think of beer or other grain based liquor-so many details. So much respect paid to the source material, I’m sure the game writers are more than content!

[@tricia8617]

Plus Tommy said some guy went nuts and tried to hurt/attack a waitress and Tommy knocked him out - probably an infected just at the beginning.

[@thihaaung647]

They gave Joel the passcode of their gate. Now that's the kind of trust you won't easily get from people, especially during the apocalypse.

[@holysecret2]

Right, especially from Bill that is huge character growth.

[@MaceGill]

And Joel knew to wait a few moments to be acknowledged before using that code. All pretty aware of one another by that point!

[@thihaaung647]

@@MaceGill The details are insane.

[@ejmolloy2954]

@@MaceGill Bill said they're a certain type of men. He may not of liked him but as in the episode, he respected him.

[@TehParismio]

Not just that, but the reverse code as well! Hella trusted.

[@zhaner3870]

The fact that Frank stated that Bill is a coward in the game, but in Episode 3, Bill said that 'he was never afraid before Frank showed up' made it even sadder 😭

[@SE-gs6gd]

Cuz he just had to worry about himself I guess.

[@chazharris]

Best line from this episode I thought. Devastating and romantic all at once!

[@starwarsfamilyguy0]

were bill and frank a couple in the game?

[@MarceloSilva-kp7mc]

@@starwarsfamilyguy0 It was implied that they had something, but never specified what, the game just classified them as "partners"

[@cardellkenith]

@@starwarsfamilyguy0 bill says they were partners. But his hesitation around the words and how he says them implies they were close. Paired with the magazin Ellie takes in the car, it implies they were together

[@charmedoriginal5923]

R.I.P. Annie Wersching. You will be missed. Annie voiced Tess in the Last of Video game. She passed away of cancer today at 45. You may know her for her roles in 24, Bosch, Runaways, Timeless, or The Vampire Diaries.

[@Denashi]

♥

[@Braincleaner]

the one woman who could stand on equal footing of badassery with Jack(24) and Joel...

[@gracecalis5421]

Fuck, the day an episode centering around a loved one dying from cancer is the same day a prominent VA of its source material dies of it as well. You really just can't make stuff like that up. RIP to her, she played her role phenomenally.

[@Ne0ne]

she didnt just voice her, she also did the motion capture. so SHE is the OG tess. RIP Annie aka Tess

[@anais6654]

damn so young

[@tk-hf4oz]

Seeing Bill and Frank in their 50s living their life happily and Bill taking care of Frank was one of the most sweetest things I've ever seen. No QZs, no fireflies, no clickers... in a world gone to shit they had the luxury to truly live their lives instead of just surviving.

[@garvinator4861]

Gotta say honestly looking at both Bill and Frank at the end of there lives I reckon they were 60s to 70s. Even Bill said he’s old and I never thought that 50 was old.

[@TheSofkujepanen]

@@garvinator4861 yes definitely, no way were they Joel’s age since Joel himself is 56 and they definitely look much older than Joel. They probably were like 65-75 or something

[@nomorepartiezz]

@@TheSofkujepanen yea, id guess frank was in his 40s and bill around 50 when they met

[@iwillcry]

they definitely were older than that

[@technopirate304]

Bill and Frank are easily in their 60's maybe 70's.

[@jackvue722]

In the game Bill has a toxic relationship with Frank, teaching Joel to abandon Ellie. In the show Bill has a healthy relationship with Frank, teaching Joel to care for Ellie. Both versions work in developing Joel's character and his relationship with Ellie.

[@herondaless]

in the game frank went off and committed suicide in a part of town bill was too scared to visit and his final letter to bill was anything BUT loving. im glad bill and frank got a good ending in some universe at least.

[@maybeitsyou1317]

I thought the shows take on it was pure trash. The whole theme and atmosphere of the show has been ruined. It's not a happy world, happy things don't happen. You wanna know what happens in TLOU? Your lover hangs themselves. THey don't have little cocktail parties in the garden. Well 2 episodes it stayed good for. Now it's sunk down to usual video game adaptation crap.

[@holysecret2]

@@maybeitsyou1317 You might not like the adaptation, but it's a good episode. As a fan of the game, I also acknowledge that the core plot points are unchanged - Joel and Ellie arrive at Bill's place, and leave with a car and supplies. The changes to Bill's story, whether you like them or not, do not affect the story from here on out. I subjectively liked this episode a lot, but I will be very critical should they change more significant parts for bad or unnecessary reasons. Objectively, I am neutral on this episode in terms of adaptation. If they felt they could tell a meaningful story while preserving the plot and without changing the overall narrative, that is fine by me. It is a risky choice, but it can, if done well, even enhance the source material in a sense, adding nuance and meaning were there was less of it in the game.

[@fauxsorcier]

@@maybeitsyou1317 please bffr. By your standards no one should even be alive then, since all is ruined and nothing happy happens everyone should just game end themselves, why bother ever trying, why did they even make the game then? Why would anyone try to survive? Grow up.

[@Papi_Sky_Gaming]

@@maybeitsyou1317 so salty lol

[@ZeusKabooze]

The reason why this episode is so important is Bills letter is one of the cruxes of Joel's redemption.

[@nezfromhki]

Yeah, the episode really enforces the theme of love that's also evident in the game, but they really hone in on it with this adaptation. (game spoilers) It's like Joel says at the end of the game: "I struggled for a long time with surviving. No matter what, you keep finding something to fight for." For Bill, that was Frank. For Joel, it was Sarah, then Tess to some extent at least, and now it will be Ellie.

[@fanfan-ni6cw]

'Redemption" lol

[@douglasfrancis2927]

Blah blah he already had that from Tess

[@ZeusKabooze]

@@fanfan-ni6cw uh yeah? What Tess says they did a lot of bad things.

[@ZeusKabooze]

@Douglas Francis All Tess said was to bring Ellie to the fire flies, and to do it as a favour for her. The letter is about protecting the ones you love, those two are intirely different things.

[@juans8356]

They took a survivalist character from the game and his partner (who we just saw a glimpse of with a note) and made a full fledged story. That's impressive.

[@TheCorgies]

The last dish that Bill cooked for Frank on his last day was the meal that he cooked when they first met. It's a little detail but it's perfect.

[@wllulu]

And the same wine I think

[@SmileyAdventures]

That’s when I really lost it 😢

[@vtetrooo1312]

They wrote a better love story in one episode than 80% of all romantic movies/series

[@egor9603]

no

[@cuzzzin]

@@egor9603yes*

[@davidstevens23]

Definitely a better love story than twilight.

[@kerrielaffan3408]

They really did

[@GreatOldOne9866]

@@cuzzzinNO

[@novemberaddams2779]

I was waiting the whole time for a frank and bill fall out since that's what happened in the game, but this episode did a 180 and punched me in the heart. Goddamn I was bawling. The depiction of loneliness, the joy of finding companionship, the LOVEEE. bruh. So fucking good. Makes me feel extra bad for Bill in the game now.

[@BamBam-3886]

I think thats why so many literally either cried or teared a bit

[@thihaaung647]

That's one of the reasons why I love this show. It expands the game's storyline further. HBO totally nailed it.

[@snapgab]

It feels like the argument about the paint is where the timeline of the game/show diverged, in the game Bill refused to put time and effort into anything other than base survival, while in the show he gave in and started enjoying life with Frank.

[@mrmr4622]

Too lovey dovey, shifts away the mood first two episodes created completely. It's supposed to be a desolate post-apocalyptic nightmare, not a romcom

[@HowlingWolf518]

@@mrmr4622 If it were a Crapsack World, Joel and Ellie would never have made it out of Colorado. It's a World Half Full - it sucks, but there's chances to make it better.

[@fredropro]

That strawberry bite was one of the most realistic joys of all these apocalyptic movies or shows ive ever seen…. What a great reaction and breakdown

[@kkjhn41]

You have to remember that Bill has been in the closet his whole life up until Frank arrived and he's been alone for 3 years. So, it's no surprise that he falls for Frank so quickly. Just his agreeing to feed Frank shows how he was actually wanting to lower his defenses and let Frank in.

[@Darwinist]

His inability to deal with his sexuality is probably what fuelled his prepper activities, a lot of these lone wolf survivalists types go down that road because of one unresolved issue or another. So in a weird way, being in the closet saved his life.

[@kmjkmjkmj]

Yes, and people are so quick to judge gay relationships from a straight point of view. Historically gay men didn't have the luxury to wait when they finally met each other. In many cases it meant danger or ruin to be outed so fast sex became an accepted part of gay culture.

[@ChibiHoshiDragon]

Made even more sense when you remember, Outbreak Day was 2003. The Country's first gay marriage happened in 2004. So didn't happen in this world.

[@d3l3tes00n]

@@kmjkmjkmj I think anyone would be having sex immediately, gay or not lol

[@testfire3000]

@@ChibiHoshiDragon So Bill and Frank had the first gay marriage in this world. That is bittersweet.

[@MajorMalteasin]

Nick Offerman's performance was perfect. He displayed a vast amount of emotions for his character that was gut wrenching and beautiful to watch. Magnificent

[@eltravos99]

The way Nick entered with the first dinner in his hands and looked like he didn't know what to say... It was so clear he had feelings for Frank. And all it took was that silent acting. A facial expression.

[@derbydriver]

“It’s a privilege to get old” Why did that hit me as hard as it did?

[@DarianHarder]

Oth’s consider it a curse

[@bill.godwin-austen]

And when the radio system went unattended after their death, it triggered the 80's "trouble" alert that we heard on Joel's radio at the end of episode 1, so that puts it in the context of the show's timeline.

[@Luxmundee]

I can't remember the last time I saw a depiction of a relationship so very tender, intimate, romantic, devoted, and lovely in recent movies/tv series. In a way this tells me that the show writers can be quite ruthless but in a way that still follows the game's original direction. Can't wait to see what they do with Henry and Sam. Brb gonna rewatch this and cry (again).

[@alistairt7544]

Fuck... this episode hit me hard, then there's also Henry and Sam. Oh man 😭

[@MH-bw9zt]

Yea and conservatives are really angry at this and calling it "disgusting" and "woke" and are saying they're going to boycott it. Ridiculous

[@Darwinist]

Bill and Frank's "last day" is even more impactful when you realize that in the show, the apocalypse hit before gay marriage became a reality. It would have been enacted in Massachusetts a year later in 2004 had the world not ended. These characters lived their entire lives in a world where that basic right was denied by society.

[@greattribulation1388]

Wow, you went over the top to glorify grossness.

[@greattribulation1388]

@@Darwinist what right is that?

[@FireWolf583]

I love how in this show Ellie basically tells Joel that he could’ve refused to take her to the Fireflies. He’s not forced to do anything, he only did it because it was Tess’ last wish. Joel had to have known at this point that the Fireflies wouldn’t pay him for taking Ellie so it’s solely Tess driving him

[@SimsinWonderland]

Yup, she wasn’t wrong

[@holysecret2]

"So it's solely Tess driving him" - that's at least as far as Ellie is concerned. There is of course also the thing with his daughter in the back of his mind, which she does not know anything about yet.

[@alalalala57]

@@holysecret2 But is that connection even fully made in Joel's own head? Who knows.

[@Saphthings]

Such an outstanding episode about the difference between surviving and living. Joel has only been surviving, just like Bill was. And the difference you can have by actually living.

[@liamregan4975]

Makes it even sadder that Tess didn’t think that Joel truly loved/cared about her all that time, at least as much as she did.

[@alistairt7544]

Right?! Like you can survive and 'live' another day during an apocalypse, but what Bill experienced sharing his life with Frank was LIVING. The fact that he joined Frank in the end after living a life feeling fulfilled, satisfied, and happy, hit me really hard. I was bawling 😭

[@lalalalisa41]

"Life should be more than just surviving" basically 👍

[@val4803]

Bill was a survivalist, a conspiracy theorist type and when his moment came, he was ready

[@michellecox1933]

That strawberry scene touched my heart ❤️

[@ryans413]

Little things we take for granted

[@sample.text.]

This Bill and Frank storyline is one of the most romantic things i have ever seen. Period. It deviates from the game a lot, but it does so by adding so much more to the story. This is exactly what an adaptation should be. All 3 episodes, perfect 10s. This is something very special.

[@Sawyer1982OAC]

Also, Joe did read Bill’s letter and because of Tess’ sacrifice the words probably are now burned in his mind… I’m loving the writing and how they’re elevating the original material

[@vonDarkken]

It deviates from the game - yep so why did they feel the need to go in the direction they did? Plot wise we get 1 thing - Joel has a truck now. - Sums it up. Someone decided to write in a whole area that really did nothing. Bill getting shot then time jump - Bills fine, Frank is sick?? Something was off with that...whole eps was rather flat and boring.

[@cro92_zg50]

😭😭😭😭

[@X5J2UY]

@@vonDarkken So what did Bill's part in the game serve? Exactly, getting a truck. This episode not only did much more to humanize Bill, but also show a different facetted of living in this fucked up word. Bill was the stereotypical grumpy and cynical old man in a post-apocalyptic setting. In the show, he is still grumpy, but basically shows the best version that Joel could be if he cared for someone and opens up. You clearly only saw it in the most shallow way possible, which is an impressive feat in itself

[@Gonzo94m]

Episode is above average but I wouldn't say it added anything to the story. Realistically you could skip this episode and wouldn't be lost

[@acslater017]

I love how they basically had a couple’s apartment decorating spat about how to arrange their zombie booby trapped compound 😂 So relatable

[@TheoVanUtrecht]

I think one of the reasons he trusted Frank that fast is because at that point he'd been alone for 4 years. This episode was crushing.

[@mordakie3805]

Same …it’s wild he found his soulmate in the apocalypse

[@Wraiven22]

As a gay man I can only hope to have a love story as beautiful as this. This episode absolutely broke me in the best way.

[@lungfulldrummer8921]

Plenty of straight folks will feel exactly the same way.

[@laurenc5306]

Wishing the best for you ❤️

[@whiskeylima4439]

We're all searching for that part of us that's missing, but we never know until they fill it.

[@christianperrin964]

Same effect here. Made me realise I need to shift some of my priorities and make more of an effort to find that right guy. Good luck in your search 🍓🍓

[@oliviermartin7063]

The acting by Nick Offerman in this is amazing, another emotional well done episode.

[@gleam6370]

Never seen him in anything before and his acting floored me!

[@austincaucci]

He’s best known for parks and recreation

[@barbara832001]

It's Nick Offerman.

[@timothybrown5999]

I felt his joy when he tasted a strawberry for the first time in a long time

[@system0fadowner251]

@Austin Kreese funny thing is Bill at the start of the ep is exactly who I imagine Ron Swanson would be in the apocalypse

[@NathanGarrettdesigns]

Did anyone else pick up on Frank saying "let me love it the way I want to" during their first fight and then during the final moments saying "love me the way I want you to"? Incredible episode!

[@kirkveloria5974]

this episode was tragically beautiful to watch

[@Dustyphoto915]

Why? Bill just happened to dig the love of his life out of a hole during the end of the world. They lived some fairy tale romance in the middle of an apocalypse. Why is that tragic?

[@lazariswann9486]

@@Dustyphoto915 you obviously don't know what tragically beautiful means what they're saying is it was a sad but beautiful ep to watch

[@VAVORiAL]

I liked this episode, but the sublety of Bill's character worked out better in the game imo. Bill was a tragic character in the game as well and I wish they would've kept that approach to him. Good episode nontheless though.

[@vedantbhard]

@@VAVORiAL you're right, but they're getting to the same destination in a more positive way. in the game he inspires joel to protect ellie by being an example of what not to be, but in this he inspires joel by being what he should be :)

[@Dustyphoto915]

Then explain for me. What was tragic about Bill and Frank? The growing old together? The meeting the love of your life? No infected? Endless supplies? The game has a tone. This episode just destroyed that entire tone for something else. But that tone isn’t tragic. It’s a lifetime movie perfect love story. And that is not what Last of us is about. This is not a happy story.

[@zayn181]

Bill thought he saved Frank but really Frank saved him 😭😭😭😭 This is why the show was made for explore the stories that were only hinted at in the game, and it was incredibly well done 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@LordBloodraven]

This episode hit me pretty hard because my dad had a stroke last year. He went through physical therapy in hopes he'd improve, but he continued to deteriorate, far worse than what happened to Frank. He finally caught COVID, couldn't shake it, and the family agreed to take him off life support on January 13. He passed 15 minutes later. Still, I appreciated Bill and Frank being more positive characters with one another in the show than in the game. I hope Joel takes the spirit of Bill's letter to heart to be a better person and save who he can.

[@courtneyyrea]

I'm sorry for your loss 🥺

[@schneedgod]

I'm so sorry for your loss. Sending you love.

[@casluvs]

All my love to you, darling. Your dad is in a better place. 🤍

[@thenecrosanct4906]

I'm sorry for your loss. I have the same experience with this episode. I lost my husband last year on February 25. He had early onset Alzheimer's and chose euthanasia. We lived the last 2 years with a lot of limitations due to the pandemic and lockdowns so we couldn't do all the things we wanted, but at least we had each other. On the day before he passed we went to the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. He loved to go to museums, one of those things taken away by the lockdowns, and we had dinner at our favorite restaurant, the Pancake Ship, which is run by friends of ours. It was the perfect day, just like Frank and Bill's. So many parallels with this episode it had me bawling after the Ten Years Later mark. And I agree with you on this more positive version of their story. Apocalypse stories are always doom and gloom but this was a bright spot in the middle of all of it. Endearingly beautiful and beautifully sad. Even without my personal experiences this episode would be heartwrenching. Truly one of the best episodes of television I've seen in my life.

[@ambroseasylum9777]

Rest in peace to your father, may his soul rest easy 🥺💜🙏🏻

[@msjacqui72]

Love is love... and they portrayed it with such emotion and feeling. Frank gave Bill the best 17 years of his life in a world gone crazy. I mean... living as they did was paradise.

[@user-nt4tb2hk7r]

i saw someone on twitter point out that in their timeline, gay marriage was never legalised, which makes the wedding scene even more touching :(

[@aidanmonroe17]

So “touching”

[@marleinasmom]

Well they WERE in Massachusetts... it was legalized in 2004. They would have JUST missed it.😊

[@beee462]

This episode had me ugly crying. Such a beautiful and heartbreaking love story. When I realized we weren't going to get some scenes (that i love), at first I was a little hurt by it, but by the end of the episode, I was in love with the deviation. I realized the scenes I wanted to see, some wouldn't work well on tv and the rest weren't as impactful as what played out in the show. This just shows what a true adaptation is. My favorite episode to date (I've been saying that about every episode so far lol).

[@AuzzieArtyst]

I played the hell out of the game and wanted this show to almost be a 1:1, I’m so glad they changed up Bill and Frank’s story. I was balling my fucking eyes out

[@PeterKelly74]

There was almost a throw away line in the game while Bill/Joel are in the basement gearing up when Bill made the comment "once upon a time I had a partner; someone to take care of and that's good for one thing, getting you killed.." And HBO managed to construct a story from that small interaction.

[@ryans413]

Good catch it would have been cool though if Joel and Ellie were with Bill in the episode. Bill says that line then we get the flashback that would have been neat

[@PeterKelly74]

@@ryans413 that's likely a narrative decision; telling the back story of Bill/Frank works better on the show than it would in a game, but the frosty relationship between Ellie/Joel and Bill would have been complex in the show. Bill and Frank had a happy ending. They lived and left the world on their terms. In an apocalypse, that's almost never the case. They won.

[@MetalCharlo]

To be fair, Neil himself is doing this.

[@ChibiHoshiDragon]

@@ryans413 Game Bill had a purpose. He was a WARNING of what Joel could become if he closed himself off. Game Joel was NOT closed off. He wasn't the hateful feared one I am the romantic type There's enough here that you have to feel some sort of obligation to me Malik didn't fear Joel, he sat down because Tess told him to. So having Bill live and be the bitter Old Curmudgeon has a narrative purpose in the game. Game Bill is a warning of what Joel COULD BE. A Negative Possibility. Show Joel Is ALREADY THERE. Show Joel IS a bitter person. He is closed off. No need for a possibility when Joel is already at that point Joel is the one Robert fears. Joel doesn't care about the people in this world Tess knew he didn't about her: I never asked you for anything, not to feel the way I felt What purpose would a Game Bill serve? NOTHING. A Bill who learned to overcome his bitterness and learned to care again however has a purpose. To Show the audience that maybe Joel could too. It also is part of the overall theme, love isn't always positive. It can lead to negative things/acts as well. Game Bill did things in the name of loss. Show Bill did things in the name of Love, NOT in the name of loss.

[@maddielkaye]

I was SOBBING but I stopped to think about it, and something hit me. How many people do you think could live such a beautiful life after the apocalypse? To not only have a safe home but a safe town, too? To have found your soulmate and spend the rest of your lives together? To grow old together and die holding each other peacefully in bed, rather than living a horrible life running and probably dying in a horrible way like Tess did? To feel content, at peace, and know you have friends to pass everything onto? These revelations made me feel not as sad. So beautiful.

[@JeffKelly03]

That was genuinely - and I mean this without hyperbole - one of the best episodes of television I have ever watched. Bartlett and Offerman were both beyond great.

[@mrmr4622]

Yikes

[@iwillcry]

@@mrmr4622 buzzkill

[@aidanmonroe17]

@@iwillcry he’s right though. This episode was just kinda bad. It was come late unnecessary

[@Wraiven22]

@@mrmr4622 you’re really triggered, huh? Taking a dump on this episode under every comment. Maybe this show just isn’t for you, or maybe there’s some self-hatred behind that triggering that you should get out in therapy 👀

[@spooky0432]

@@aidanmonroe17 it wasn't not necessary. Even the creator said that this show is about love.This episode showed a diffrent kind of love that Bill had, the one which Joel couldn't achieve after the death of Sarah. I think it was important to show this as it will show why Joel will take care of ellie for so long.

[@deviantassassin8141]

If Ellie said she would’ve liked Bill after reading his letter, I would’ve lost it😂 This is what would’ve happened if Bill and Frank didn’t fight and break up.

[@indieoregano]

Ahhh that would've been such a good line, especially for the game players who know that wouldn't have been the case 😭

[@scaredofwizbangs3011]

So...Episode 1 had the 80s song by Depeche Mode-Never Let Me Down Again... Joel looked visibly shaken...Bill sent as a message to Joel (who I believe was bringing the meds for Frank) that they were leaving this world. Lyrics "I'm taking a ride with my best friend I hope he never lets me down again He knows where he's taking me Taking me where I want to be I'm taking a ride with my best friend" Now I'm crying all over again...

[@TimSedai]

You guys are now the 5th reaction to this episode I've binged since watching it myself. While I can see a smallish camp of game fans being hugely turned off for silly reasons I found it to be beautifully written, directed, AND acted plus the set design is continually gorgeous. Solid vid guys

[@endubless]

This would be the 11th reaction for me lol such a great ep

[@endubless]

Also I’ve seen the people who aren’t fans of this ep and it was for silly reasons, one of them said they were going to stop watching the show now because of this ep 🤦🏽‍♂️

[@danielnajdek]

Read a few comments on different reactions and some of the comments are disgusting tbh.

[@Naesala119]

People that were turned off because of “woke” BS as they call it are idiots. They were obviously together in the game. It was HEAVILY hinted. But this version was so well told! I loved it! It also told us how Joel and Bill met and what not. When a gay/lesbian relationship in a movie/show is forced? I can see that being annoying. This wasn’t forced. AND it was part of the game technically, too.

[@Dustyphoto915]

Some of us were turned off because it was a total break in realism. Bill had severe mental health issues prior to the apocalypse. I’m supposed to believe he dug his soulmate out of a hole and lived happily ever after for twenty years? It was great tv. But as a fan o the game, an unnecessary deviation. This is not a feel good story.

[@MM-hi]

This episode is what TLOU is all about, amidst all the destruction, the threat of the infected, the loss of life and the inability to hold on to hope, there is love.

[@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. ❤️

[@Akki_Messatsu]

If any one wondering, the beautiful music at the end of the episode is called " Vanishing Grace" and it comes from the famous Girafe scene in the original game.

[@MM-hi]

One of my favourites, his music is beautiful

[@ryans413]

My favourite is the Left Behind theme

[@leigh5768]

oh I never knew it was from this I’ve heard it a ton in fan edits

[@Ziaotic]

@@ryans413 same.

[@basicsimp8798]

Bill and Frank, two survivors who found each other during the apocalypse. Their story is just amazing.

[@charlesprovencher6918]

I love how they show Ellie and her relationship to violence. The look she gave to Joel when he beat the crap out of the Fedra agent in the first episode, now her "toying" with the infected. You can see she likes violence, she doesn't want to show it but it's definitely there.

[@MetalCharlo]

And we know too damn well it will come into play BIG TIME in the future on several occasions.

[@Judymoe]

Everyone always brings up how Frank reacted to that excellent meal, but what seems to be overlooked is that Bill put a lot of effort into the meal, the presentation, the wine selection, etc. He didn't have to; the easy thing would have been to make a Spam sandwich, or something, anything that wouldn't show what a good setup you had. The give-away was that Bill immediately went through the trouble to impress this stranger, and give him an excellent meal.

[@moneyman123212]

The scene of bill rolling frank to the room and the music from the giraffe scene starts playing GOT ME haven’t cried that bad from a show in a while

[@hoangthanhhai2148]

In the game Bill lost Frank to the infection. They have a fallout and Frank hung himself before he turns, leaving a letter for Bill but Bill never reads it and became a hateful being with only resentment. Joel calls in a favor because Bill owe him one, they and Ellie then find a battery and went on their way leaving hateful Bill behind, alive and hateful. This is why I absolutely adore how they portrait Bill and Frank in this episode, I'm in awe and sobbing. They truly outdid themself every episode

[@Winnuting]

Bill does read the letter in the game. If you give it to him.

[@DavidB-2268]

The show was filmed mostly in Alberta, Canada. Bill and Frank's neighourhood was in an abandoned town named High River, also in Alberta.

[@nucularmechanic9623]

Steven: I don't remember Bill and Frank from the game. Me: Good luck forgetting them now.

[@lucmatt3636]

Bill and Franks relationship was implied in a letter in game. What they did in the show was amazing and I haven't cried in a tv show in a very long time. It was a good storyline change. Loved it.

[@bobcarter6869]

Are you kidding me Frank hated Bill they weren't lovers nothing like that was ever in the game

[@MikeWillisUK]

@@bobcarter6869 It was definitely implied in the game that they had a bitter break-up. Bill was pretty distraught over Frank's death when they found the body (although he tried to put up a tough front) and then later in the car you found out that Ellie had stolen one of Bill's gay porn magazines.

[@TheSofkujepanen]

@@bobcarter6869 nope, it was 100% implied that they were in a romantic relationship and then they had a bad breakup. After breakup frank wrote that letter where he said something about bill being a coward and him hating him and then killed himself. And that’s why Bill was so jaded about not ever caring about anyone again and he advised Joel to do the same. Some of you people truly can’t understand stories without them being so obvious and hitting you on your head with the meaning. Y’all truly have no analytical skills, and you aren’t just able to find the meaning without the show/game/movie spelling it out to you like you’re 4 years old.

[@VJ-ux5gb]

@@bobcarter6869 They were absolutely lovers in the game. Go back and play that segment, throughly. They just had a very toxic relationship in the game. You had to read the letters in the game and also they hinted a few times that Bill was gay, including the gay magazines he had in the basement. (Which Ellie takes and makes a comment about the pages being sticky)

[@robertm5855]

I swear I’m not crying. It’s just dust in my eyes

[@tomasbiela5860]

I think this episode will be either you loved it or hate it. Even though this was a major depature from the game, this episode was amazing. Nick Offerman and Murray Bartlet's acting and emotion was so good, they need to win something for their performance. I balled my eyes out

[@rpvee]

Anyone who hates this episode is a bigot.

[@ihavespoken4555]

I got up to watch this early before going to work and I regret that decision now cause I can't stop thinking about it. I cried so hard when Frank said it was going to be his last day. And the scene at the very end looking out the window was the perfect goodbye to two beautiful characters.

[@tintin3_3]

They better give him an Emmy. So impactful, and trust me I have seen Ron Swanson delivering perfect funny lines in parks and rec.

[@ihavespoken4555]

@@tintin3_3 Completely agreed. His acting just blew me away. The entire cast of this show have been incredible so far, props to the casting department.

[@ryans413]

It’s way different from how it plays out in the game and I’m okay with it. I’m open to some change. I guess a lot of people did not like this episode. I think every good show needs an episode like this where it’s just different. I remember The Walking Dead doing a few episodes like this where the story dose not progress but slows and goes way off target. The Walking Dead did it with Morgan they had a whole episode just about Morgan and then season 10 had like 4 episodes that focused in on Daryl , Carol , Aran and Gab and a Negan episode. So this isn’t the first time a show has done this plus Breaking Bad had an entire episode about Jesse and Walter trying to kill a fly or something if I recall. So yea is it filler yea but who cares it’s something extra it adds too the story. People need to relax instead of getting mad be open minded give it a chance my god.

[@ihavespoken4555]

@@ryans413 Personally I've seen nothing but glowing praise about this episode but there will always be naysayers. What's important is that you enjoy it yourself and forget what other people think 🙂

[@ycam1127]

Idk how you got any work done 😭

[@nessew7835]

This was one if not the best episode of television that i’ve watched. I cried for like two hours, heartbreaking but so beautiful.

[@manvirshergill1739]

Stop being so dramatic 🤣

[@blinkachu5275]

@@manvirshergill1739 Stop yucking other people's yum

[@mythicalfelix]

fr i did not expect it to gut me like this at all, they smashed it

[@NeroSparda99]

@@manvirshergill1739it’s how they felt dude

[@Edellus]

@@rumham7466 It was very touching. But crying for 2 hours? Idk about Manvir, but to me, the "drama" comes in with the hyperbole. I know many people like to emphasise their emotions like that, but the overuse makes it cringey, IMO. At least, I hope it was an hyperbole, for their own mental health in life in general.

[@hiimjosh868]

eating the strawberries is one of my favourite scenes in any television series ever.

[@PatricioHondagneuRoig]

This episode threw my heart to the floor, kicked it, spat on it, and told it to call it a taxi.

[@alexandremorim883]

Man, I've got to say that this absolutely goes into my top 5 of best episodes I've ever seen on television. Simply phenomenal.

[@aidanmonroe17]

Really?

[@MrGlenbw]

Possibly the first video game adaptation that ACTUALLY MAKES ME CRY, even placing it on par with Up's opening minutes (FYI, it's a massive change from the original game where Bill still lives and Frank, died quite some time ago, turns out to be an a-hole. I'm glad the writers change this aspect to create one of the most heartbreaking love story in TV history). 💝

[@littleekellyy]

best episode so far! i loved it and was sobbing the entire time. such a sweet and romantic story. i am so happy they deviated so much from the game for this one. makes me even more excited to see how they will keep changing the story.

[@ray24051]

I have to disagree with you on that The show is called The last of Us not Bill and Frank the episode had its moments but it wasn't the best episode.

[@liamdamon]

@ray24051 Bill and Frank are part of the US in The Last of Us.

[@mrmr4622]

I mean why not forget about the fungus and make the rest of the show into the Notebook then

[@liamdamon]

@MrM R the show is about loss. Daughters, sons, parents, lovers (including same-sex partners). If that makes the show into the Notebook for you, thrn maybe stick to playing the game. It hasn't changed. This is an adaptation that is exploring the backgrounds of characters from the games. The same way that episode 1 expanded Sarah's story. It gave us more insight into her character and made the loss greater for the viewer. This episode expanded on the Bill/Franklin relationship and showed Joel that there is still a reason to fight. Bill had Frank. Joel had Sarah and Tommy. And then Tess. And now Ellie.

[@whatinthegoddamn2353]

@William Damon could not agree with this comment more. The point of the episode wasn't to deviate from the plot, it was all to show there is hope in a broken world. In the game bill is bitter and broken, in the show he is satisfied and loved. In the game he is something Joel doesn't want to be, in the show he is everything Joel should be. Open to love and open to hope for the future

[@sherryb6351]

I made the mistake of watching this at 11 p.m. and ugly cried and then was up half the night thinking about it. Still: Worth it.

[@Alexander666666]

Man, imagine finding your soulmate in a zombie apocalypse. I cant even find one in the real world

[@chinaski6593]

I was looking forward to see grumpy old Bill but i have to say, what they did in the show was PERFECT. I'm still crying.

[@_.sunny.side.up.]

I could not stop crying after finishing this episode. Such a compelling love story in such a short time.

[@zoew_]

love how they did bill and franks story in the show

[@nofarDcohen]

This episode is a masterclass in storytelling. AMAZING!

[@jackinabox926]

how?

[@fauxsorcier]

@@jackinabox926 did you watch it?

[@aidanmonroe17]

@@fauxsorcier yea….wish I didn’t. They spent 45 minutes of the show fleshing out two character who are dead by the time Joel gets there. I wanna see Joel and Ellie, not the love story between two dudes

[@mathewfinch]

@Aidan Monroe it's the story of 2 characters whose story arc mirrors the same arc that Joel will go on throughout the series. It's just basic storytelling, parallelism, and metaphor. Basic film literacy. It serves a similar function to the story in the game. In the game, Bill serves as a dark alternative possibility for how Joel could be. I like how they flipped it around for the show.

[@fauxsorcier]

@@mathewfinch Exactly. But these people don't care, they'll act like they never have seen a scripted show before just to try and racionalize their weird aversion to queer existence. The episode getting review bombed on IMDB proves just that.

[@danjc9783]

Bills giddy reaction reminded me of Captain Holt when he tried a Marshmallow in Brooklyn 99.

[@lailana3325]

I didnt even realise how long Joel and Tess had been together. Over 13 years. Such an emotionel and amazing episode.

[@whatinthegoddamn2353]

They didn't even have a label but Joel called her "mine" UGHHHH 😭

[@ladyms7840]

Phenomenal episode. The choice they made to change this part was worth it and paid off so beautifully. Tears in my eyes for 30mins straight. I was in a cry haze after this but I loved every minute of it. I'm proud of them for doing this so well

[@AstronomyGuru84]

Bill knew how to survive and Frank knew how to live. The two were a perfect match in an apocalypse. in the end, with the letter, I think Joel really regrets not letting Tess know how he felt about her. This episode demonstrates that even in a grim world like this there is still love to be had and shared. I loved this episode!

[@alanguillermo3145]

Frank's smile at seeing a home cooked meal for the first time in who knows how long just about made me tear up. Their whole story was beautiful. Sure, it's not what we got in game, but it serves the same purpose. Joel and Ellie still get their truck, but now it's with the added baggage of Joel losing what was basically his last two friends in the world. Outside of Tommy, Joel has nobody now. No one but Ellie.

[@Nightmarigny]

Dang, y'all held it together better than me. I SOBBED for like 30 minutes straight. I thought it was about the best hour of TV I've ever seen. Nick Offerman and Murray Bartlett will win every award out there.

[@thebrittbratt4641]

I mean looking at Bill's dialogue in the game vs this episode is beautiful. Game Bill: "once upon a time, I had somebody that I cared about. A partner. And in this world, that's sort of shit's good for one thing. Gettin ya killed." And here he says it is the reason for living, it's our job and purpose, save who you can save. I love that in both universes, Joel had this enlightening moment. In the game he doesn't necessarily disagree with Bill, but you can see him starting to learn love isn't just a folly.

[@Nihilanth]

it amazes that there's people who thinks they change bill's character. there's also that "these are all stuck together" when Ellie's finds a gay magazine on bill's stuff

[@thebrittbratt4641]

@@Nihilanth Yea, I think it's more accurate to say they changed his fate. Or trajectory/paradigm viewpoint. He's still nihilistic but he and Frank worked through their fights instead of splitting. Butterfly effect, y'know?

[@singbluesilver1973]

Watching Bill wrestle with his emotions while Frank sets out how his day is going to end really had me. So sad. They learned to appreciate the little things in life together.

[@dastemplar9681]

As much as this episode really took a dive from the source material, and how much I really wanted to see Bill’s and Ellie’s interactions from the game. They made up for it with honestly such a powerful and poetic love story topped with amazing acting. Nic Offerman’s commitment to his performance was astounding.

[@ChuchiiChoo]

bill taught frank how to survive and frank taught bill how to live

[@1bwash]

I love the perspective shift these two characters provided. Yeah, there was the importance of familial relationships and relying on others before, but it was so subtle compared to the like 'look how badass it is to be a survivor.' It's just so cool that Bill builds this fortress but Frank demands they make it look nice, planting strawberries and flowers. That almost seems more badass than anything else! They strike this amazing balance that gives purpose to Bill's survival instincts.

[@alastor3609]

I'm willing to bet that if someone ever sees Bill and Frank's skeleton in the future, they'll just say they were roommates XD

[@Vanished_Mostly]

Oh my God, they were roommates.

[@cindygrape]

Ellie:"Or you suck at shooting?" me controlling Joel: " NO IT'S NOT THAT I SWEAR!"

[@TequilaPrincessMx]

This was our little oasis in the middle of the apocalyps, the energy, love and sweetness we needed for what is comming I guess

[@tombystander]

I hope Murray Bartlett and Nic Offerman get some awards for this performance. This is absolutely a piece of art

[@methuselahh_]

the marriage thing hits even harder cuz in the last of us world gay marriage was never legalized, so bill and frank never thought they would be able to marry a man

[@Heathen9]

Not even gonna lie, I cried my ass off over Bill & Frank. I don’t cry at things very easy. I was shocked over this episode. As far as Frank & Bill, they were both in the game in a past tense format. All the producers did was add their backstory to the show.

[@MichaelJones-wb8sk]

The Writing In This Episode Was Brilliant 👏

[@endor8witch]

frank and bill's life is a nice contrast where outside people dont live long and is struggling to live to an old age, but they provide a balance, a nice slice of heaven in a world that has turned to hell, and they took what they needed from it and go out of it on their own terms. 20 years together - a nice bow out.

[@terryloh8583]

I just love how Steven gets Judge Dredd mouth when he's trying to keep from cying.

[@JotaP1n]

Nick Offerman such an AMAZING actor.

[@BamBam-3886]

This episode was so beautiful. I love how they did a backstory to Bill and even showing Frank and showing another side to Bill. This was amazing. I won't lie, halfway through the episode I was actually tearing up a bit.

[@packerkats7578]

After watching ep1 with Sarah and now this devastatingly beautiful story, I am absolutely terrified for the season finale.

[@NikkiStevenReact]

terrified for the next episode, ha!!

[@AnayaImari]

Trust me, you are in for a ……..bittersweet ending I would say.

[@alalalala57]

@@AnayaImari crimes and more crimes woooooo

[@jacotromp59581]

Episode 1, I cried. Episode 2, I cried. Episode 3, when Ellie reads the note, I got broken. This may not have been in the game, but it was done magnificently well. The love story in this episode was almost up there with UP. The acting in this episode was superb

[@charmedoriginal5923]

FUN FACTS: Joel & Tess were together 16 years 2007 - 2023 The role of Bill was initially to be played by Con O'Neill ( Viktor Bryukhanov - "Chernobyl / Izzy Hands - "Our Flag Means Death" ) but he had to drop out due to a scheduling conflict so Nick Offerman of "Parks and Recreation" won the role.

[@henners98]

There are a lot of reaction channels about but I generally thought you guys had the best combo of editing+realness ❤

[@NikkiStevenReact]

really appreciate that Henry

[@DS-zh5tp]

this episode was absolutely phenomenal, the music, the dialogue, the characters all of it. I loved how bill who couldn't care less about anyone, found the love of his life and choose to die together with him. The line "I was never afraid till you showed up" really shows you how much bill loved frank and I'm glad they died together because bill wouldn't have survived long without frank, maybe physically but not emotionally. They lived for each and they died for and with each other. I tear up everytime I watch someone's reaction to this episode 😭

[@j.garcia6206]

In the game we only know of Frank through Bill's words. Joel eventually ends up finding Frank hanged by suicide since he got bit and didn't wanna turn into the infected. Frank leaves a letter behind stating how much he hated bill cause of the negative person he became and didn't wanna leave the city behind to try find something better for them both. Bill helps Ellie and Joel escape the city. Bill accepts to stay behind and continue living a lonely life. This was changed into what we see now in the series episode 3

[@garyplaysmt]

After their last dinner, going into the bedroom, the song that came up was the same one played when Ellie and Joel encounter the giraffe at Salt lake city in the game.

[@Rknowles813]

Outstanding episode. Joel is coming around on Ellie. Great performance by Offerman.

[@Nomadic813]

I haven't seen any reactions from anyone who really dislikes how the show changed the story of Bill (and Frank). I think the reason why is that while the circumstances and narrative around the characters have changed, the characters themselves are the same. And despite the narrative here directly contradicting what happened in the games... It still feels like we are only expanding the game, not changing it.

[@LegioneSacra]

So emotional episode. It really hit me hard , at the letter i weep like a kid