The Last of Us | Episode 3: "Long Long Time" - Spoiler Review 

That suicide note really helps establish Joel’s decision at the end of the first game. This episode didn’t deviate from the game for no reason, it was very well thought out and connects to Joel’s character arc. Well done.

The expansion of this story based off of a single letter is actually amazing. Seriously the writing is on another level for this show!

Rest in Peace Annie Wersching. ♥️💕 The voice actor for Tess passed away today. It broke me so much. Also since the last ep Alsoo this show is just beautiful and does the game so much more justice then I could have ever of wished for.

Nick Offerman's performance was Emmy worthy.

I held my wife's hand of 15 years together all night as she slept after watching this heartwarming sad episode.

The suicide note is gonna make the end of the season so much more impactful

It's a powerful testament to Nick Offerman's performance that he could make me see the soft side in a paranoid conspiracist prepper with a Don't Tread On Me poster. When he was struggling to be intimate, clearly emotionally overwhelmed and struggling with severe anxiety simply from being touched intimately, I FELT that, man. Beautifully well done. I did not expect to love Bill in this way. Frank was also just wonderfully played.

That was the hardest I have cried in a really long time. What a magical episode. Blown away by this show so far

I absolutely loved this episode!! I know some fans will not like it because 80 percent of this episode focuses on Bill's and Frank's relationship. But it makes everything feel absolutely new and fascinating for long time fans like myself. 10/10

The letter to Joel made it all worth it for me.

Was honestly pretty beautiful. It made me realise that out of all the chapters of the game, Bills Town probably has the least amount of actual story. Its just meet Bill, fight infected till you get the battery then off you go. How they managed to make the most storyless chapter of the game into the most storyrich episode ( up to now) was masterful. Also really made me feel for the characters.

I like to think that the favor Bill owed was the night he got shot. Frank called Tess and Joel and they arrived saving Bill’s life.

R.I.P to Annie Wersching. The original voice/motion capture actor to the game's version of Tess.

Man when “it can’t last” started to play when they were in the strawberries, that was just epic.😢

Really caught me off guard with how much I actually started caring for bill and Frank, it was a sweet story and when that twist of bill killing himself instead of only frank dieing it really hit me. Ps: Bella and Pedro's chemistry as a daughter-father like relationship keeps getting better and better.

Man whoever came up with this… brilliant. So tastefully done, respectfully done, so different. I was not expecting it in any way and somehow I liked it even more than I would’ve if they’d have stayed true to bill’s part in the game. I loved it. Definitely my favorite episode so far. I don’t know how they did this so well but bravo. So fucking good man I’m so glad I didn’t watch this before I watched the episode and went in totally blind.

One of the most beautiful & touching episodes I have ever seen on TV. Please pass the tissues.

This might be one of the most beautiful episodes of television I've ever seen. I knew some sort of deviation from the game was coming with this episode, but it really hit me in a way I wasn't expecting.

This episode was beautiful. I thought it was one of the best episodes in TV history. It will be remembered and talked about.

This episode so so impactful that when season 1 is all said and done, I'll still clearly remember episode 3 and the lesson it teaches in the value of quality over quantity of life RIP Bill & Frank

While being a huge departure from the game, I thought the episode was fantastic. While we don't see Joel and Ellie interact with Bill (which is missed for us fans) I do think this episode had meaning. Showing the love that prevails within this horrible, cruel apocalypse is the heart of The Last Of Us. The use of the track "It Can't Last" from Part 2 was poignant as well. While those beautiful moments of happiness happen, they won't last forever. I also really like the new rendition of the letter at the end. Instead of being a final blow to Bill in the game, it was instead used as motivation for Joel to become the protector of Ellie.

I don't think I've ever cried more during an episode of tv. This was so important to the show, its called The Last of Us because its about the last people. The relationships and love between the characters is the whole reason we keep surviving and fighting. This will definitely inform Joel's feelings about Ellie going forward.

Non gamer here… I was completely enamored with this episode! Started crying at the piano scene and then bawled like a baby the last 15 minutes! Brilliant writing… brilliant performances! Just a phenomenal series! And I think I need to get myself a PlayStation so I can play this game now!

I loved how they went about this episode. Clearly you think there will be an epic Joel/Bill vs infected to protect Ellie but it’s actually one of the most humanizing portraits of storytelling ever put in a show that breaks you. I’m glad they went this way with Bill’s arc, he was nowhere to be mentioned in Part 2 and left to be alone in Part 1. This gives him so much more purpose and I was happy they went with this way. The change of the letter from Frank to Joel ties up Joel’s commitment to saving Ellie quite nicely. 10/10

I loved it. I think this episode is going to resonate with me for a long time.

I really like this episode but I will say I miss Ellie and Bill interactions and the sheer sass that she gives him

I loved this episode! And more of this please! With that I mean more pleasant surprises to our familiar storyline. While I will miss the interaction bits of Ellie and Bill through his town, those scenes will remain in the videogames forever. I'm just glad they not only made Bill's story more deep and full of heart but also gave Joel's story a point of reflection where they probably saw each other as similar people who didn't trust anybody and hardened their world view. I liked it more than episode 3 and almost as much as episode 1, let's hope they keep going strong.

Joel would NEVER leave behind an entire weapons cache during an apocalypse in a world filled with violent raiders. That’s less realistic than zombies.

This episode was a beautiful episode. Loved what they did with the suicide note. A part of me was really wanting to see that upside down Joel segment play out in live action, but really enjoyed how they fleshed out the Bill and Frank story

I like how in the game Bill is supposed to be a representation of what Joel could be if he shut everyone out and went full survivalist but I think I liked this version more. That whole episode was just emotional and beautiful

I love how the both games use music. Bill and Frank connect through the LR song and so do Joel and Ellie.

Didn't know the story in the game at all, but this episode is an emotional one and really nicely done, and your well-articulate review even heightened the emotions especially on the meaning and value of life, made me well up once more. Kudos to you and great job Cody!

The only disappointment with all this means we won’t get any interaction with Bill and Ellie. I was looking forward to this in the show They made me cry during that shit with the score they played during the final day/ date ..damn

The favor was probably Frank's medications

I cried over two characters I only just met. I’d say they did a damn fine job. I never played the game, so when I saw Nick Offerman was going to be in the show I thought he would have a much longer role in the series. Sad to see him go!

This was the most beautiful, tragic, heart wrenching TV episode I have ever seen ever. Makes me realize how lucky I am to have someone I can love like bill loved frank. This was a masterpiece. I also loved that they didn't show Bill and Frank's corpses at the end. They showed them as a happy, in love couple going to there final resting place. It would've ruined the episode if they showed them dead. I've never cried so hard at the end of an episode.

What I thought was a cool detail was that they played the song from Arrival during their wedding, which is also a movie that hammers home the idea of quality of life and appreciating every moment of it

An amazing episode! Great review as always!

Another RU-vidr said it perfectly that this adaptation serves to compliment the game. Bill in the game served as a warning to Joel of what can happen when you close yourself off and shut people out. In the game he closed himself off to Frank, as a result Frank ends up hating him, he died alone and Bill lives as a hollow person. Bill in the show however shows as an example to Joel, an example of what it looks like to protect someone you love. In the show Bill makes the choice to open himself up probably more than what he did in the game, and because he does he dies with Frank. But he dies with love and joy, instead of living a biter lonely life. Its almost like a good vs bad ending scenario in a videogame. Either way Joel gets the battery he needs, but depending on which Bill it can either be difficult or easy.

Your shirt saying “itchy tasty” hahaha I noticed that. That’s got to be a Resident Evil 1 reference. Idk If it’s in the original but it’s in the remastered one, the note from the guy turning into a zombie. “Itchy Tasty” I love it hahaha 😂😅👍

The Mortal Kombat 2 arcade. That hit me. Those were my arcades back in the 90’s 😢

I’m a huge fan of the game but I gotta admit…what they did with Bill’s story was absolutely beautiful I usually don’t like when movies or shows based on games deviate away from the story but with this I feel it actually works a lot! You got more then what you thought you would get and it fills in some holes that the game didn’t have time too get into. I loved the episode and I’m loving this show 😁

The episode was amazing, I was not expecting that big of a change but I ate it up. Cried at the end. I also did like that they found Bill's note, kinda like the same way in gameplay you find other peoples notes around a very nice wink to the game. The show is so good so far

This episode was really emotional and really enjoyable for me. This is my favorite episode so far

Loved the episode & I love the last scene. The open window. Understanding why the games Home Screen is an open window. Never made sense to me until now.

I watch this with a group of friends every week and my girlfriend has never played the game and wasn't really into the first 2 episodes all that much but I turned to her at the end of this episode and she was wiping tears from her face.

1000000/10. This episode suprised me with how different it was, but it was awesome. I'm pretty mad they killed off Bill, yet I still loved Bill and Frank's love story.

Never played the game and I thought it was a great episode! Loving your reviews for each episode Cody😁🤘🏻

Amazing episode!Very well done.

thanks for this review Cody

It’s nice how they ended the episode, with the Home Screen for the game with the curtain.

Emotional rollercoaster for sure. Thought it was an amazing side story and did just enough to bring us back to joel and ellie at the beginning and end bc u just get so invested in bill and frank u almost forget that u are watching the show and already invested in joel and ellies journey.

I was today years old when I found out you can give Frank’s letter to Bill and I’ve been playing the game for 10 years (from the original to remastered to the PS5 remake)

On the first episode when they leave for the city it pans out after they leave the apartment the radio plays a song from the 80s revealing trouble and I believe that’s when they drag the wine

This episode pulled on my heart strings like the short about the old guy from up lol

I've never had a chance to play the game and barely heard about it, not a big gamer anymore but I thought this episode was outstanding and can't wait til golden globes time next year cuz imo I think we have 2 definite winners if not for sure nominations. I cried my eyes out which I rarely do except for amazing performances like these. Can't wait to see the rest of the season.

My god episode 3. I didn’t know it was possible for a story to make me cry that damn hard. What an absolute masterpiece. Astounding writing, acting, & cinematography. The use of Vanishing Grace absolutely shattered me. I’m blown away. 10/10

Wow! Great indepth review. Refreshing that's it's about quality of life and simple love. Different from the game, I'd argue it's the best TV adaption ever! 10/10 for this episode!!!

Bill standing out in the middle of a gun fight with no cover... uhhhh, you survived this long how? Maybe he was tired of Frank already. :D

Loved this episode, the tone was spot on for this universe and the actors did so well building chemistry that i was invested almost immediately

I wonder if Frank did come onto Bill with an agenda, it's totally possible that he did, but in time, as he got to know him, he fell for Bill. That's actually how it plays in my head that Frank was changed just as much by Bill. At the end of the day, we all just want human contact and to love and be loved, and I like to think they both realised that.

I would say it probably is my least favorite of the 3 so far, BUT, that doesn’t take away from how much I loved this one. They went in deep on these 2 characters that we didn’t really see much of in the game, frank being one we didn’t meet at all. So I thought they did a great job of it

One of the most beautiful and heart breaking hours of television I have seen in a very long time. I don't care if it's not close to the game's story. This was incredible

Haven’t played them game. Joel is played really similar to the clips I’ve seen. This episode was great. I lost my partner of 20 years two years ago so I very easily understood Bill as portrayed here. The weird thing was until the first time skip in their relationship I was convinced Frank was going to kill Bill and was more tense than I’ve been watching tv in a long time. Altogether really well acted.

Absolutely beautiful. Loved it

I just might prefer this version of Bill over the one in the game. I am just completely blown away with what they did with him and Frank.

I really liked this episode! I feel like it had substance and purpose and wasn’t just filler

I’m not mad at this deviation and it was so profound, so impactful. That suicide note will make the ending so much deeper. The performances this episode were amazing, I enjoyed the fact that they were in love and Bill was positively impacted by Frank’s love and their life together.

This episode was the one I was hoping for and it didn't disappoint. I wanted them to humanize bill because the game felt like it was check boxing like " sure he's a prick but hey. He's gay give us points." This gave Bill and Frank a wonderful story arc in that in a world that has collapsed two souls found each other and made the most of it. It doesn't matter if you are gay or straight these two represent what you hope you can find in such a nightmare scenario. I played this game when it came out ten years ago. And this is an Emmy award level episode.

Killer review as always Cody. Loving the The Last of Us so far.

Hi Cody, I've Not played Last of Us or any video game, so this show is New to me & so far, I like it, & I liked Ep 3 A lot. I really like & appreciate your thorough & thoughtful review of Ep 3, & of How it differs from the game, and that you Showed Scenes from this ep of the Game, as I enjoyed seeing them & think they look Amazing! So Thank you for your thorough & great review.👍😊♥️

Amazing episode. I love that the adaption is doing it's own thing. Bill's Town is great in the game, but for the TV series this version of it was wonderful.

Still watching this one but I’ll get to this after 🙏🏻

I also like that in the letter, bill says the code of the bunker is the same as the gate but in reverse. Very nice callback to all the times in TLOU2 where you need to figure out a code.

Fantastic episode, LOVED it

I haven’t played the game but here are my thoughts- Beautiful episode. It felt like a movies worth of time with them. To see them grow together and their relationship develop was something special. Great characters that made an impact with little time. It pushed forward our other characters as well. All in all, well told and expertly written. Love this version and hearing your description of the Game version makes for a comparison that seems one sided for enjoyability. The show seems to take it in terms of story.

Loved it. ❤

Had me lol fr when he pulled that gun on Joel 🤣😅🤣

Here's a cool connection between the 2 different Bill portrayals in both media: W. Earl Brown who was the voice actor of Bill in the game, played Dan the bartender on the HBO show Deadwood. Nick Offerman, Bill on the show, was also on an episode of Deadwood in the first season. I loved that show and is one of HBO's best imo. Though this show is shaping up to be even better.

Rest in Peace Annie Wersching ❤

Stunning hour of television!

Bills town is my favorite part in the game but oh my God this was so sweet and beautiful about finding the in the darkness

Just watched the episode and thought it was a well told self contained story and was very well acted.

It's because of you BTW that I was waiting for this episode for quite a bit and I'm glad that that in your original review of the series you brought up that there was going to be an episode like this. Thank you for that, man! - *Nick Diaz* _(Editor, Host of The Chat Attack Podcast)_ ru-vid.com

Bill and Frank 🥹

This episode was a gay love story and their love for each other was on full display.

It’s been a hot second since I played the game, so thank you for the review. Honestly for me I like this episode much more than what was in the game. That probably isn’t a popular opinion but it hits just right for me and so far I think this was my favorite episode yet. It means much more and ties into Joel’s and Ellie’s relationship which I think is definitely needed for a tv show, the games did fine without it but it works so well in this medium of story telling.

I really like your interpretation of this episode, The stuff about the quality of life vs the quantity and Bill having changed was interesting

I've never played the game but I thought this episode was fantastic. . It's been very much "survival, survival, survival" until this point. I appreciated that this episode brought so much emotion, and emotional connection, back to the forefront (as they were in the beginning of episode 1) Not only a "breather" but a re-centering and I think a reminder of how much people can love and thrive and grieve and win and lose. It ups the stakes and tension for everything going forward if you are reminded these are people with feelings and connections. And that Joel and Ellie aren't immune to those things either. Loving every minute of this series!

As much as I would’ve loved to see a Bill at least interact with Joel and Ellie like his introduction into the game. I’m not mad that they deviated from his story. In the end, the story is still going in the same direction with them driving off with Bills truck. When you think hard on Bills involvement in the game, you realize he is just a plot device. With this new story of Bill and Frank, I like how they kept tiny details of him from the game regarding his personality and limped leg. While telling a different survivor’s story of someone who isn’t from the QZ. In the end, your told a human love story and Bill’s letter is a push for Joel’s development or arc. I feel like a huge line from the episode comes from Franks perspective of love being the little details. Working with how love and beauty of the world can prevail. With scenes like the strawberries being planted, or just the image of their mostly clean and kept home. I also had the thought of Frank taking advantage of Bills vulnerability. Surprisingly they didn’t do that. Where I land wit this episode is (I liked the story and found it fitting in the world and story, in no way does it ruin the main story, and it gave us something new. But I miss the potential of we could’ve saw from the game, especially the scene with him seeing Frank hanging and learns the truth of Frank.). So weird balance of it being a good short story within the episode while missing the story we had of frank in the game.

I was actually thinking the same thing you did Cody where I thought Frank was just pretending to be gay but I thought he was about to reveal it to Bill years later when he was laying in bed staring at the ceiling on his last day, which would have been hilarious. 😂

The fact that Joel tells Ellie it only took 3 days for the whole world to go to shit is pretty frightening. Also the use of “on the nature of daylight” by Max Ricter is almost like a cheat code to get me emotional. Incredible episode. Very sad but also shows you that there’s hope. This is exhibit A of why the show justifies its existence. It’s faithful but it switches things up in an intriguing way.

Never played the game so had no idea what was going to happen so had no expectations and really liked the episode

I haven't played the games but I have really been enjoying this series so far and it's a lot more emotional and more believable than a lot of the apocalypse type series or movies. This episode was especially emotional cos of the story between Bill and Frank. It showed us how people survived this sudden pandemic they weren't aware of and it does look like it's gonna link to alot of the rest of the season thematically.

I love all episodes so far I am excited for episode 4.

I acknowledge the greatness of this episode but it still makes me wish we got some of the OG bills town sequence. What i think would have been an absolute home run is if frank died from drinking the wine and bill chose not to, which would lead to the next episode showing bill to be the bitter a** that he is in the game and having the bill/joel/ellie exposition

This was such a beautiful episode. It was the acting for me. Never played the game but wow! A+++

I thought this was a decent episode as well Cody, a nice break after the first 2 episode and we get to a different version of Bill and Frank. Both actors did a great job and the thought the story was very thought-provoking and moving.

I never been aware of Nick so much in the comedie section. The first time i really appreciate him as an actor was in "Devs". If you're interessted, i can highly recommend it 👍

I loved this episode. I was worried at first but I love what they did with Bill & Frank. A much better ending for them.