Amazing how in the game, Bill was an example of what Joel didn’t want to become, a weird, uncaring loner. But in the show, Bill inspires Joel to become a caring, loving protector. As Ellie read the letter, Joel realized what he must do. Beautiful episode!
This! Many people who have complained about this episode being isolated from the main plot of the show and not doing anything to “move the story forward” do not realize that this episode still does what it set out to do to assist in Joel’s character development
Took me till next morning to realise the 80's playing at the end because he hadn't reset the alarms was the same 80's 'danger' message that Ellie heard when she cracked Joel's coded for radio messages. They'd been dead since the start of this
@@johns881 Band Of Brothers stands out. Fresh Prince of Bel-Air when Will's dad leaves, again. Futurama with the dog episode that shows the dog wait for Fry for several years. The Simpsons with Homer's mother. This is just a few that hit that emotional moment a lot harder.
I'm currently in a place where my partner of over 20 years needs me to help them with their pills at night. And I hold them in the morning when they're lost and sick. We're gonna get through it, so no worries there, but it's hard. And this episode broke me. Love is love, and when you love someone you hold them and you care for them and if you gotta... well, you do whatever they need no matter how much it hurts. Loved this episode. Thanks for being awesome Mel, really appreciate it. Your stuff gets me through a lot.
The thing with Ellie killing that stalker, seemingly maliciously, it is important to remember that one of them just killed her best friend a few weeks earlier, so the anger makes sense, especially for a teenager.
she has a bit of a fascination with violence, joel killing the guard for example, the fungus which is on her brain may not have turned her, but it may be pressed on weird spots
My man Bill was out there living his best life! I definitely didn't expect such a touching love story. Offerman's performance was so surprising! I sobbed..
RIP Annie Wersching. You will be missed. Annie Wersching voiced Tess in "The Last of Us" video game. She passed away of cancer yesterday at 45. You may know her for her roles in "24", "Bosch", "Runaways", "Timeless" and "The Vampire Diaries". Also, the beautiful score that plays when Bill (Nick Offerman) and Frank (Murray Bartlett) get married is called "On the Nature of Daylight" by Max Richter. It was also famously used in the movies "Shutter Island" (2010), "Disconnect" (2012) and "Arrival" (2016).
If this is how they handled Bill and Frank, i am afraid of how they handle Henry and Sam's Arc. I can't go from episode to episode crying my eyes out. Also RIP Annie Wersching, your performance as Tess lives in my head rent free forever.
Frank's love language was making sure him and his loved one had a place they could call a home, to feel like there was love in all their surroundings. Its why he wanted things to look nice. He unlike Bill is highly sociable, Bill a really hardened man let someone into his life and I know how hard that could be when your heart is closed and you don't trust anyone. I really liked the direction they went with the show, 2 different types of stories told and end up with the same result in game and show, of course in game Bill was more of an asshole.
This transcends sexuality...this is just a story about love and anyone with a heart can feel this deeply in their soul. A story about loneliness and isolation and then finding a person you connect with a love and growing old with them and living through hardships and laughter and sickness. When there is good writing and acting and a solid story...that's what we focus on and feel.
It does transcend sexuality. This is relationship goals. I grew up in an area where gay marriage is thought to be the destruction of the institution of marriage. and family values. And as a straight person, I didn't really understand why but figured it doesn't affect me. But growing up and having gay friends changed my view on that. They deserved to be happy together. So seeing this story, I don't see a gay marriage. I see a marriage, the type everyone hopes for. Minus the apocalypse.
It does, I’m a straight white male conservative, and I gotta admit I cried. Was a touching story. I also used to not like Pedro Pascal that much, but after watching this series, that dude has such incredible talent.
Ugh yes controversial-with some small minded people. I thought it was heartbreakingly beautiful. Their performances were incredible. I truly hope they are awarded for them. Just get your’block’ finger ready because I’m seen some horrible comments on this one. BTW seeing Joel smile at the end made me SO happy!
@@theonlyconformist There are too many people with a closed mind, since the first TLOU we get hints that Bill was gay... I can't imagine when they find out that Ellie is a lesbian too, their homophobic heads will explode.
@@theonlyconformist I grew up already. Then I expected a good adaptation of TLOU. Now we are getting brokeback apocalypse. This episode ruined the whole series. Not because of gay guys but because the mood and feel of TLOU is desperate and bleak. Nothing good happens, and people don't meet up for faggy dinner partys in the middle of fucking zombie apocalypse. What they do is fight and then kill themselves, like in the game. However we couldn't have "woke gay shit" if we followed the game. So this is what we get. In the game we get allusions to a romantic relationship involving Bill. But the game stops short of runining the atmosphere by including 50 minutes of fairy fun time. Well it was good for a whole 2 episodes.
Your assessment at the end of the video really is true... Didn't expect it, elaborates and improves the OG characters, and speaking as a gay man, who had/has the same beliefs as Bill.. This story affected me heavily. This episode shows a side of men that isn't often portrayed, and honestly it's some of the best writing and direction I've ever seen. Thank you.
Ellie being creepy in that scene is so realistic and well done. Kids are innocent but kind of scary, if an actual zombie appocalypse happened this would be incredibly common among any survivor kids, they would go mess with trapped zombies and take out morbid curiosities on them with the excuse that they can't feel it or that they're monsters so it doesn't matter. And then we transition over to a hint of Ellie's past when she just gets really angry and kills it out of spite. Anyone whose played the games (dlc specifically) is not gonna be confused at all about that part idk if you played the DLC Mell but Ellie has a good reason to despise the infected just like Joel has a good reason to despise people in general.
I didn’t cry too much watching this which surprised me but the eyes were super watery. This was seriously an amazing episode loved how much progression you see between the two in one episode.
"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. The Last of Us was always about finding human connection in the apocalypse. Finding something to care about despite the hopelessness of their world. 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!!
This show is so much more than I was hoping for. I love that they ended the episode looking out of Bill and Frank's bedroom window as their love song is playing. These guys took the time to let us enjoy flowers and a poem in the middle of a zombie apocalypse.
I can understand (but don't agree with) points people have brought up with this episode being slow or not having enough Joel/Ellie or missing the game version of events, but it is absolutely not filler or by any means pointless. Bill in the games is a cautionary example of what you/Joel should not become, which is completely bitter and closed off to the point of driving away who you love and ultimately dying alone. Bill in the show is an example of how to take that anger and survival instinct and use it for something good, and to savor what you can - even if the ending is still tragic. The letter he leaves causes a major (internal) shift in Joel to protect Ellie. "Save who you can save."
The episode was great. My only issue was the ending. In the game, Bill sounds completely irrational while warning Joel to cut ties with Tess and get rid of Ellie. In the end, Joel's caring and protection causes him to take Ellie from the Fireflies and ultimately gets him killed. The show has made some changes to enforce the narrative that Joel is supposed to be Ellie's protector, but it's getting a bit heavy-handed.
@@toddwynn3397 I get where you’re coming from, but I think it’s important to remember the game is padded out with hours of completing goals that you do on pretty much your own schedule versus receiving about an hour of story once a week. Also, maybe don’t spoil a major plot point of the whole series that won’t even be in this season.
@shinokugt I understand that the show has to make changes because some aspects of the gameplay wouldn't make sense. I have liked some of the changes more than others. My issue is with Bill's attitude and his advice for Joel. In the game, he tells Joel to abandon the mission and resist emotional entanglements, that Ellie will get him killed. In the show, he encourages Joel to become more emotionally invested and to protect her at all costs. In the game, Joel and Ellie's relationship develops organically. So far in the show, it is feeling a little more forced. Of course, we are only three episodes in, so we'll see how it continues.
I havent ugly cried so hard over an episode of television since the finale of Six Feet Under - 17 hours after watching it and my heart still hurts. Really was perfection. Bill taught Frank how to survive but Frank taught Bill how to live...and now Im crying again.
I knew Bill and Frank were together because of the "partner" part and the magazine Ellie found in the car. I'm happy they confirmed it in this heartbreaking way
I was absolutely sobbing. This is one of the best episodes on television imo. I have not recovered and I probably never will. I'm gonna bill HBO for my therapy.
I saw someone else post on another channel that, Bill helped Frank survive, and Frank helped Bill live. And as far as them getting infected after they died, that doesn't happen. In the first episode, during the talk show, the mycologist explains that the fungus has to move through the cardiovascular system to make its way to the brain. And Joel explains that the reason the innocents were killed, was that the dead can't be infected.
Omg what a beautiful episode . Amazing performances by both Frank and Bill., I am not a gamer but love that you are going to play the game after the episodes. Watched you play 1&2 last evening it was really good. I mean it is more than just a game . Thanx Mellverse until the next one 💜
This series is causing most folk here in Calgary and Southern Alberta (and maybe Edmonton - see episode #2) super giggly. The entire series was shot here - it's *THE* biggest film project in Canadian history. And it really shows off our province - and we're beaming with pride. This episode in particular shows off just how freaking beautiful Southern Alberta's natural attributes are.
First she was checking how human it was because she felt bad for the person infected, then she remembered her friend who was killed by one recently and got angry
@@gregory3499 she wasn’t her girlfriend tho. They liked each other but never made anything official. They literally just admitted they liked eachother hours before Riley died
I've said it before and I'll say it again, the way you edit yourself into the shows is HILARIOUS and CREATIVE. I won't lie though, the way you tore into that drumstick, I was waiting for the Denzel "Brother's starving" clip
This episode was unexpected and amazing. I've always loved Nick Offerman and he is great in this! I will not be surprised if this episode wins some awards.
Whether you are for or against gay love, everyone should feel this kind of love at least once in their life. This episode was beautifully done. The thought of not wanting to continue without your other half is heartbreaking. I'm glad Bill said not to open the bedroom door because he didn't want Joel to see them like that. I am beyond impressed with this show so far. I didn't realize that Joel and Ellie worked together in Game of Thrones in the past. They have great chemistry.
While I am bummed we didn't get to see an interaction between Ellie and Bill, and that they omitted one of the better sections of the game, trying to pull off that entire sequence within a single episode would have been a near impossible task. Nevertheless, I'm completely satisfied with this beautiful character study of Bill. Excited to see where they take the series next.
also wouldntve worked for what they want this show to be, about love and what it does to people and what it makes them do. they also said they didnt want to be like twd and fight hoards of infected all the time, theyre supposed to be much more of a threat and wouldntve been realistic to be fighting that many of them
Ugh a piece of beautiful cinema. I’m sure I would’ve been sad regardless because of how powerful everything was but I saw this with my boyfriend who I met ironically during the pandemic and I just sobbed my eyes out 😭 amazing work once again
Oof! When you mentioned the look Frank gave, as if he felt like a burden. I FELT THAT 🤌🏽👏🏽 I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis 3 years ago, long story short, its an autoimmune disease that affects all of your joints and organs etc. I’m only 33, and some days I can go out, some days I need help getting out of bed, walking, getting dressed etc. Sometimes I can’t even feed myself because my disease affects my hands and jaw. Can’t open pull bottles or even juice. My boyfriend of almost 10 years has definitely helped so much but yea, it can definitely make you feel like a burden. This episode definitely hit home.
I had to watch this episode twice because I kept waiting for Frank to turn on Bill so he would turn into the aggressive loner that he is in the games. Watching it the second time I was truly able to appreciate their love story and my mom and I were watery eyed by the ending... This was SO beautiful and I never expected such a beautiful heart wrenching love story. They notebooked us man... My heart... 😭
This episode was crazy, started off all happy, became hopeful and I was like yes, Joel is gonna reunite with bill and frank and Ellie will meet them! Then… shit. Took me down, but I loved it.
It’s been said 1 million times and the comment sections of your reviews and reactions, but I commend you for being honest with your tears, especially with such a touchy subject in our country today. You’re what real men are about.
I kinda like how they’re turning Ellie into a sociopath. If they make season 2 the second game, I bet Dina would be to Ellie what Frank was to Bill, but Ellie would be too far damaged to allow a happy, satisfying end.
I love what they did with this episode and actually getting to meet Frank. It almost had me crying. Got really close 😂 That being said, I think how it went down in the game was more tragic in a way. Spoilers btw. What happened in the show was sad, but also the two of them lived a whole life and went out quietly together on their own terms. In the game things ended in anger, Frank died alone, and we leave Bill all by himself in that town to deal with that weight.
Great episode. It's one of those changes that even fans of the game can't complain about. Beautifully well done and having them go out together is so much more emotional and adds to the story even more.
The reason that joel, Sara and Tommy didn't get affected at the beginning was because they ran out of pancake mi, Joel forgot to buy his birthday cake, the didn't take the biscuits because joel wa son Atkins, and they didn't eat the cookies Mr.s Adler made because they had raisins in them. Arby's is awesome btw.
The Nature of Daylight by Max Richter is played in Shutter Island, Arrival, an episode of The Handmaid's Tale - and where main actor Elizabeth Moss via The Handmaid's Tale is also in the music video of the song itself on Richter's music page on YT, and NOW it plays for TLOU for Bill & Frank.
saying this as a player and fan of the game: I LOVE THE CHANGES IN BILL'S STORY!! everything in this episode gives our man a purpose, and it's just way too beautiful... my fav one so far
They actually didn't have to build "Bill's Town" or redress an existing neighbourhood. This was a new housing development in the town of High River Alberta that was set to open in 2013. However, just as it was about to open, a major once-in-a-century flood hit southern Alberta, and as a result this development was completely abandoned. So the filmmakers just built the fencing and didn't have to do much else :)
Speaking of the chemistry Pedro and Bella are just like the perfect set of friends during interviews I've seen a few where they are talking about working together it's awesome.
I like this episode, this episode made me tear up, I also laughed when Bill did an Arby's joke, that was funny, I especially like Bill in the game as well, also rest in peace to the voice actress that voiced Tess in the game.
Frank has either ALS or Parkinson’s. He’s deteriorating fast, and is probably in pain. As hard as it would be, doing this for the person you love would be mercy. It’s not an easy position to be in. But I understand where Frank is coming from.
Hey man, I commented under your last weeks episode how I wasn't gonna watch your reaction to the Last of Us, remember? :D Now, I was always going to support the series with a like and a view (for what it's worth) and I'm glad to hear you changed your approach in your commentary :) I'm not saying it's because of my comment, but I would still like to thank you for the change hehehe 😅 Great video Mell, editing is fantastic, especially all the green screen stuff you do!
So I think Ellie cut the infected because she knows she is going to have to kill one, but if it’s bleeds like a human it’s going to be harder for her. She got her first kill so when she has to kill one with Joel, she will be ready
Bill’s end in the show makes sense with the game’s ending. Once Joel found his light in this world he couldn’t live to lose that light, let alone for the 2nd time
Man this episode pulled my soul out, chopped it into little bits and fed it to the dogs bro. That was so beautiful. Then I remembered in their timeline, the only reason they can get married is because of the apocalypse. Then I cried again.
When most of people complain that the episode was about a couple that they are gay, they miss the message at the end of the episode: Bill actually induced the fact that he had to take care of Ellie! He is still not understanding totally, but still..
the stones are for water level, peoples who live near rivers do this to measure the rising waters, and know if you can camp nearby or not. when the river rises, the water gradually covers the stones and we can see them disappear below the water level, it is a kind of measurer over time to know id the river level is stable and safe or not.
Finally... its nice to see a fan who understands what the last of us is actually about. The game has to have action or people will get bored. The show allows everyone to get the stories through Bill that you can find throughout the game that just gives you snippets of how other survivors were affected by the outbreak.
Displacement is a common thing for grieving people, especially those who shut themselves off from anytning but anger. Joel displacing his anger, grief & need to point a finger onto Ellie made sense as a character. Her being a blunt badass and calling him out on it aslo made great sense.
One minor change I did like was Ellie's delivery of the line 'what you say goes' which in the gane is a lot more snarky in terms of changing the wording to show defiance to Joel (but showing she understands) but here, there is that but is a lot more respectful in light of Tess
Something that was brought up this episode that makes episode one a little more interesting. So they mention how the fungus probably got into the flower and this means that in the first episode Joel and Sarah avoided getting infected four times. They didn’t have pancakes for breakfast, they didn’t eat the biscuits from the neighbor, they didn’t eat the gross ass raisin cookies from the neighbor, and Joel forgot to get a cake.
There’s no need for them to take any steps towards not becoming infected. The dead can’t be reanimated in this universe, the infected aren’t undead they are all very much alive and in most cases still conscious.
you know, a lot of reactors comment on how quickly Bill and Frank got intimate but it makes so much sense to me considering the circumstances. Bill had been alone for 4 years at that point with zero human contact; he was lonely and craving human connection. then along came Frank, the first human he'd come into contact with that just happened to be good looking, kind, and someone who appreciates many of the same things he does. plus, it's the apocalypse: you can't waste time on small talk. ❤
