The Last of Us: New episode is acclaimed as it explores Bill and Frank’s love story

Warning: this content contains spoilers about the third episode of “The Last of Us”, shown on Sunday (29) on HBO.

Since the announcement of the adaptation of the game “The Last of Us”, by HBO, fans already knew that the series would not be 100% faithful to the original story, but the 80 minutes of the production shown this Sunday (29) surprised a lot.

If the first two episodes already gave indications that we are witnessing one of the best video game adaptations in recent times (if not the best), the third chapter, directed by Craig Mazing, Neil Druckmann and Peter Hoar, caught the attention of the general public and fans of the game for not focusing on the main characters of the plot.

Following the cue from the previous chapter, we continue to follow the trajectory and relationship between Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey).

Despite presenting new information about the infected and the dynamics between the protagonists after tragic events, the focus and prominence are on the characters Bill and Frank, played incredibly well by Nick Offerman (“Parks and Recreation”) and Murray Barlett (“The White Lotus ”), respectively.

In the game, both are secondary characters with a very subjective story. Even more simply, Bill helps Ellie and Joel get away with a car and is portrayed as a “lunatic” and “grumpy” man who lives with Frank, who commits suicide after being bitten by an infected.

In the series, the directors and producers deepen this relationship in a rich, delicate way and with simple but significant nuances. It is here that the production shows (once again) how and why it can be considered a great adaptation – and we are only in the third episode of the first season.

“There is a lovely thread that runs through this suggestion between Bill and Frank in the game,” Mazing told Insider, highlighting the opportunity to take a deep breath into the story, after two intense chapters, and show a different point in the fight for survival.

“I just suggested to Neil [Druckmann] that we would pull that thread and take it in a different direction to show the passage of time and explore themes that are important to the show, about what it means to love someone, the different types of love, including one that can be very protective, violent and dangerous , and how we could give these two men a win,” explained Mazing.

On the show, we meet Bill in a still skeptical but more humane version, who knows there’s something worth fighting for – albeit during the end of the world: Frank. “This Bill, in this world – in the world of the show – eventually changes, leans into that love and feels, ‘Ah, this is what’s important in this life,’” Mazing added.

The episode presents us with a 20-year story of love, tenderness and melancholy in the midst of chaos and the zombie apocalypse. Upon returning to 2023, the year in which the series unfolds, a weakened Frank depends on Bill for the most basic tasks.

In this companionship shown in the “nuances”, Frank decides not to live anymore and plans his last day at Bill’s side – probably the apex of emotion in this episode. After sharing a good meal, affection and a sensitive dialogue, Frank takes the medicine to finally stop the suffering.

Another difference in relation to the game is that Bill sees no point in continuing to live without his beloved – which is confirmed in the letter found by Joel and Ellie.

Repercussion

Many netizens showed on social networks how the third episode surprised positively – bets for Emmy nominations and other accolades entered the most commented subjects on Twitter at the end of this Sunday (29).

However, some loyal fans believe that the plot “was lost” when addressing the story between Bill and Frank, considering the episode “unnecessary”. Check out some reactions:

WHAT A MASTERPIECE OF AN EPISODE

GIVE ALL EMMYS TO THESE TWO 💔😭 #The Last of Us pic.twitter.com/9jUZ9HLURD

— Portal The Last of Us (@PortalTLOU) January 30, 2023

“Ah, but there was no such thing in the game”

In-game Bill with 1 ton of G Magazine hidden: #The Last of Us pic.twitter.com/blvREpGnhm

— GN (@GNGeekNation) January 30, 2023

“Wow, they spoiled the Last Of Us with this gayzist lacration of Bill. There was none of that in the game.

Bill in the Game: #The Last of Us pic.twitter.com/K40CfK1WCe

— 𝑵𝒊𝟑𝒗𝒊 ✊🏾 (@nievillela) January 30, 2023

the last of us writers were like “hey joel needs a car. what if we write the most touching and heartbreaking hour of television in the world”

— zach silberberg (@zachsilberberg) January 30, 2023

I really hope lesbian couples get the development and screen time that they spent with Frank and Bill. What an unnecessary episode. #lastofus

— Barbara Arattus (@BabiArattus) January 30, 2023

Society: Please The Last of Us Episode 3 Don’t Be the Biggest Television Act of 2023

3rd episode of the last of us: pic.twitter.com/zKOdyre0xf

— caio (@caioboxd) January 30, 2023

This episode of Last of Us is the infamous filler. Unnecessary, but important to fulfill the sealing quota (which I don’t think I needed, knowing Ellie’s story), but anyway, for a change, well produced, in HBO quality

— ScanRod (@Scan_Rod) January 30, 2023

The fourth episode premieres next Sunday, February 5, at 11 pm (Brasília time).