We Can't Stop Crying! The Last of Us 1x3 Reaction 

Every ep release we try and get a little better and it would mean the world to US if you subscribed www.youtube.com/@LifeAlmostWithoutReactions/?sub_confirmation=1 💗 We added Chapters so you can skip to the reaction if you don't want to listen to the girls amazing insight / theories. Did you cry this episode?!

RIP Annie Wersching, the voice of Tess in the game. She did a fantastic job bringing the story to life.

Oh yeah, NO shame in crying at this one! Really beautiful and heartbreaking.

54:20 Tess in last episode when she was asking Joel to take Ellie to Bill's, she said "I never asked you anything, not even to feel the way I felt..." So probably Tess loved him but he didn't answer those feelings. But he still cared for her.

Ive been with my girl 3 years, and watching this together was the first time she saw me cry, so i feel you brother

the argument they had made that relationship so real

Idc if it’s straight, gay, les, etc. that was honestly one of the most beautiful love stories I’ve seen in any form of media. I was all sorts of choked up watching it with my friends last night. It was still tragic but at the same time it was kind of refreshing. They got to go out on their terms after living around 17 years together happily instead of being taken out unexpectedly and brutally by infected or raiders. For a lot of people who haven’t played the game, this episode may not mean much from what they saw on the surface but to those of us who have played the games, this episode provided beautiful backstory into Bill’s life that we didn’t get in the game. Bill is still alive in the game but Frank isn’t. However the segments with Bill are very brief so there wasn’t much insight into his character outside of collectibles and other little things laying around the environment. One last note, the red shirt Ellie changed into is her iconic red shirt she wears in the game.

Ellie picks up Frank’s gun. It’s the symbolism between Bill and Frank and Joel and Ellie that people like Bill and Joel are always there to protect more vulnerable people like Frank and Ellie

That line of "I was never afraid before you showed up" really hits. The feeling of being not afraid for yourself in the middle of a disaster, but being afraid for the ones you care about, that's a deep connection.

Dang. They turned the game mission “Joel needs a car” to “You ready to cry?”

The chemistry between the three of you was perfect this episode! It must have been a huge effort to take harsh criticism on board instead of being discouraged. There is a natural flow to your discussions and commentary that is insightful and entertaining. I really appreciate all the hard work, good work to the three of you =]

Regarding fungus and heat.... where I live in Canada there are mushroom hunters(pickers) that seek out a rare mushroom that only grows after a forest fire has burnt the ground. They are willing to walk up and down mountain sides all day, because the mushrooms are worth a small fortune. Buyers will setup in temporary wilderness camps and prepare them onsite before shipping them across to world.

It took me seeing some reactions to realize the purpose of the radio message being "Danger". that was Bill essentially leaving a message for Joel and Tess to come "help", but when they got there they'd find all the weapons and things they ever needed to protect themselves. It's Bill leaving behind for his "friends" what he could. And when Joel comes in, the door slams shut. Bill can finally go.

Loved your reactions. You make a great trio and all bring something unique to the mix. I also enjoy the little recap/analysis of the previous ep in the beginning, I thought it was a nice way to lead into the reaction. Regarding the opening credits, did you notice all the other cool imagery? The skyscrapers rising in the cityscape, the fungus spreading across the US map and profile of a dead body (both of which you clocked), the rolls of barbed wire fence and finally the two silhouetted figures of Joel and Ellie walking together...? So much thought and craft has gone into this show. I find myself discovering new little details every time I re-watch the episodes. I think we needed this beautiful love story, to prepare us for the harsher/scarier/darker side of what's likely to come. It was like a lovely rest stop, a pause to fill the tank before heading back on the dusty road.

As someone who ranks both Last of Us games as my favorite ever: this was by far the best episode so far, while also being the one that deviates the most from the game. Literally nothing that happened in the episode happens that way in the game, but it still felt RIGHT!

(2:44) *"So, does that mean that the fungus can survive extreme heat?"* That is a very intelligent question. And now I'm embarrassed because I didn't ask myself that same question.

The cairn Joel makes (rock pile) is essentially a headstone for Tess. Traditionally, cairns are often used to mark burial sites.

This episode had me crying like it's the extended lgbt cut of the first 10 minutes of Pixar's UP.

In France there was a fungal outbreak due to bread in the 1950s in which a few people went nuts and got violent (one kid tried to strangle his grandmother and another guy jumped out of a building thinking he was an airplane). So cooking bread doesn't necessarily kill it all.

Tess's last words "save who you can save" ties up with the story of Bill and Frank and eventually Bill too told Joel to save who he can save, just in different words. I love your reactions guys!

The concept of mycelium mapping out the US was inspired by the Japanese scientists who used intelligent slime mold to help figure out the shortest and most efficient routes of the Tokyo rail system. The scientists placed oats at all the hot spots around a mimic Tokyo map and sure enough the slime mold mapped out shorter routes for the engineers to follow.

This episode made me completely forget about the apocalypse, it was a beautiful story about two people who found peace, love, and happiness in world gone to ruins.

The stacking stones is actually a “cairn”. It’s a memorial for Tess.

I didn't think there would ever be an episode as beautiful and heartbreaking as "San Junipero" (Black Mirror ep. 3x4). Now I know better and yes I cried a lot.

My gf and I were destroyed this episode. We had both played the game and were completely caught off guard with how this episode went. It was insanely beautiful! Nick Offerman is a beast!

You guys have the best TLOU reactions on youtube. Very honest and I can tell you guys don't fake it (a lot do). Much love, keep up the awesome content!

Annie Wersching not just voiced Tess in the game she did the full performance capture for the game. Which is wearing a scuba suit with censors size of ping pong balls size having cameras too pick up all the movements made. They also have censors on their faces with a helmet camera pick up everything Annie did with her face along with Troy Baker Joel, Ashley Johnson Ellie and everyone else that was in the game. Performance capturing is big part of making video games theses days

What hits me, is the window at the end open. And the letter from Bill to Joel about Tess. The story telling in an episode that had no meaning to the story of the show was so strong it didn't matter if it was a standalone. What a brilliant acted episode from all parts.

I was sobbing when I first watched it, and sobbed even harder seeing your reactions. The need for humans to have real connections is not just fulfilling…it’s necessary. All you need is love lmao (😭😭😭😭😭)

That was heartbreaking, but also amazing. I dont know what else to say honestly. Elise is an excellent addition to your reaction team, really interesting perspective and insight

Loved the heartfelt reaction. I was blubbering like an infant sitting up in my bed watching the episode. Powerful stuff

Cried the first watch, teared up watching this when Bill’s crying face popped up. Every episode so far, has gotten me. The change from the game’s material was well done, no shame to the game. Cried while playing the game too!

Godammit this series has just been one emotional sledgehammer to the face after another.

"I hope nothing bad happens to them" You jinxed it! ;) Jokes aside, thinking about it some more, in fact I think nothing bad happened to them indeed. They got to live the best life you can have in a situation like this, grew old together and died together peacefully without pain. And did I cry? Basically through half the episode. I was so exhausted, I had a headache for 3 hours afterwards.

Some bloggers correctly noted that the infection of the general mass of the population was due to flour. In 2003 episode 1, Joel, Sarah and Tommy didn't eat pancakes for breakfast, they refused the neighbors' cookies, and most importantly, Joel forgot to buy a cake for his birthday. It saved their lives except for Sarah.

Y'all are so good! I really enjoyed the pre-show observations and how you notice all the little details that I missed 🙌🏾

This episode was so well written, acted and directed. took less than 1 hour to get you emotionally attached to 2 characters.

Lisa has been right about a lot of predictions to something might not come true right away but remember there is a last of Us 2 game

Lol fun fact it might be in the US and the show is set in Boston but they filmed most of it here in Alberta Canada where I'm from and one of my buddies got to be onset and see some of the filming

Good reactions guys. Love your theory's at the start I usually fast forward other reaction theories 😅

I was so happy seeing you posted this tonight. Absolutely fantastic reaction it did not disappoint. DAMN as a straight guy who's as manly as it comes it takes a lot and it's been a handful of years since a movie or show turned on the old faucet eyes like tonight's episode did! The series has been perfection so far. BTW the X on the door is to let other government agencies or military know who come through that the house was searched / cleared and if a number is on the right side that's how many bodies are inside. We did this exact same code after hurricane Katrina and in Iraqi cities

You cried pretty hard bro. But so did I lol. I never watch any reaction videos, but somehow your videos popped up after the first episode came out. So glad I did because this is a pretty awesome channel.

Tess said that they would know what to do, she knew that Bill and Frank have a radio and that Frank especially would try to help them by contacting the Fireflies or someone who could hook them up with them. Notice that for their last meal together Bill made what he made the first time they met and even turned the plate like he did back then. The open window with the curtain moving in the breeze was a tie into the widow in Sarahs room in the show and at the beginning of the game. When the radio went off back at Tess and Joels place with the 80's song meaning trouble, the trouble it was signaling was that the next time Tess and Joel came there they would find them dead. It was sent by Bill when he decided to join Frank in death.

I feel like Joel is treating the entire property like a graveyard, he won't take everything nor stay there because of the respect he has for Bill and Frank

When they all first meet and it's just Joel and Bill at the table outside, Joel says that he gets it, if my...mine, brought someone new into our situation, I wouldn't be happy either. That meeting was 7 years in, and Joel and Tess were already together, so that's at least 13 years for the two of them as well.

BAHAHAHAHA!!!!! When the waterworks really flowed at 48:45, it reminded me of a time I met two friends for happy hour. Tacos and margaritas! I had recently lost my guy. One of my friend's just lost her husband. The other lost a friend which turned her other friend into a widow. At one point, the three of us were bawling. I then noticed the bar was empty. I think we drove everyone out. 😂🤣😂🤣 I've been binge watching "Long, Long Time" reactions for days now. This is one of my favorites.

I love that we got this backstory of Bill and Frank and the crazy funny thing is Frank and Tess were the same and Bill and Joel were the same I cried pretty much from the raiders on it was so sweet and sad.

Your reactions are really wonderful!

Elise needs her own channel, such great thoughts behind her theories and her voice is so calming yet confident. Kind of like a voice from an interesting documentary. great reaction.

My favorite reaction channel now 😍🔥😁 thanks for the reaction!!

I've seen people calling it tragic or sad, but I think it was a happy story. They got to pass in old age, after a long life where they were loved, with agency and dignity. This is something neither queer nor disabled/terminal characters are usually granted in media. The apocalypse happened in 2003. That is the societal framework they are coming from. One where gay marriage wasn't legal. One where initial meetings were often conducted through coding because being too open, too out, was dangerous. Especially in a small town. Bill probably had more genuine social interaction after the outbreak than beforehand. Because of small-town stigma and pre-2003 socially acceptable homophobia. From this perspective, the apocalypse gave them a chance at life they may not have gotten otherwise. Bill likely never would have known love. Frank brought beauty to Bill's life. As I have seen others say, Bill and Frank won the apocalypse. And Bill and Joel became friends. Even if they didn't want to call it that. Mutual respect. Mutual trust. Mutual care for the other. And Joel had the code. Watching Bill's arc was a great way to externalise Joel's internal arc, they are so similar. The show's story is exploring how love and relationships can be toxic. And this was a beautiful juxtaposition to that. I know it is different from the game, but I don't think it took anything away from the game. You still got to meet Bill - just Bill ending in a better place than the game Bill. Joel and Ellie still got resources. And it was changed in a way to enhance the story. And game players get to experience something new. In the context of queer representation in media, including the "kill your gays" trope, I really appreciated this change. And the lack of bodies was respectful of the story being told - it wasn't a story about their death. It was a story about their life and love. Sometimes in apocalypse stories, you can end up in a place wondering if the world is worth saving. The love story topped off with a sprinkling of Ellie's delight at the world showed what they are fighting for.

@Life Almost Without Reactions, 18:51 "I wonder how long the fungus can survive inside of a dead body?" Until the body has nothing more to give. Killing the host doesn't kill the cordyceps; it traps them in an immobile vessel. In the first episode, the epidemiologist explained that cordyceps stave off decomposition by pumping the body full of penicillin. As long as the host has fluids, dead or alive, cordyceps will continue to live, but once the body runs out of fuel, the cordyceps will start to branch out looking for a new vessel, sort of like the infected we saw in the QZ when Tess and Joel were looking for Robert. 19:13 this could be the regular progression of the cordyceps, the transition from Runner to Stalker, as stalkers look like this--fungal growth slowly replacing the host. The next phase up from this is Clicker, which happens when the skull is cracked horizontally so that the cordyceps can fruit (blossom). 20:10 "I wonder how that guy died." ...you just saw how he died...Ellie ran her knife through his skull. Remember these aren't zombies. There's a reason why they call non-regular people infected...because they're infected. The infected are prisoners in their bodies, what's left of them is their brain, which has been cut off from the rest of the body, since the cordyceps built a wall around it in order to hijack their host's body. The host is aware of everything happening around them, but they are helpless to do anything about it. Being an infected is a fate worse than death. You're forced to watch/hear the horrors done by your hands until the someone ends you or until the cordyceps slowly feasting on you is done with you. The never ending trauma of screams and death would probably drive a person insane. Ellie did this guy a favor. Ellie does have an unhealthy interest in these things, but there's likely a story here that we'll get soon when we get her story with Riley. Ellie was attacked by a Runner, she never saw a Clicker or a Stalker until she left the QZ, so that might be her interest right there. She's been told stories by her peers, and you know they exaggerated some details, though still rooted in fact. We should forget that Ellie has cordyceps in her too, she's not infected, but she has cordyceps. That unhealthy interest could be cordyceps related, but we'll have to watch along to see for sure. 22:10 The first episode made a point to show us all the food the MILLERS DIDN'T EAT: pancakes, biscuits, cake and cookies. The mycologist in Indonesia was told that the woman on the autopsy table was working at a flour mill, and Indonesia has the largest flour mill in the world. Joel doesn't know this, but it was the flour! The people he was around narrowed it down to a basic food ingredient, they just aren't sure which ones. One of you, Lisa?, asked about heat killing the cordyceps, I guess fire works, BUT if they survived baking you needed to have a very, very hot fire. You also need to remember that climate change is what made the cordyceps evolve in the first place. What's possible now in their world wasn't possible in 1968, but rising temperatures caused the cordyceps to evolve into something stronger that could live in this new world with harsh weather and rising temperatures. 22:43 Well, we got a glimpse of this when Sarah died, remember? Remember those cars on the highway trying to leave Austin and the military on the other side? I bet they all got wasted. All it would take is for one of them to be infected before the order to put the all down was given. The soldier that saved Joel and Sarah was ordered to kill them all because his CO heard that "one of them was injured." Things for falling apart very quickly and the military wasn't taking any chances. 52:26 "What was the purpose of taking her to Bill and Frank?" Frank has a open heart. Joel slammed his heart shut like Bill a long time ago. With Tess out of the picture, she knew Joel would get colder and that it would be better to pass Ellie off to someone with an open heart, someone who'd protect her and keep her safe, which Bill was quite capable of doing. 54:42 The game was quite different--Bill is the way he is, but we only hear about Frank. This version of their story is far superior than the games. Period! 58:30 that's the song that's playing in the truck, right now. Bill and Franks story started with this song and now it ends with it. What a story. I didn't sob, but I teared up--not shaming anyone who did, mind you. Another fun reaction. Keep'em comin!

Amazing reactions!! Subbed ❤ I look forward to your reactions to the rest of this show!

Okay, the rock stacking. That is an old Celtic & Norse tradition. In this specific instance, it is very similar to the Scott's purpose for the rocks. Rock stack burial memorials were common, and people coming to visit would add a new rock to the stack.

Bill was a prepper, so he had all the parts to make a battery in the fridge joel checked. Love the reactions

Really enjoyed the reaction. Some additional context from the game if curious. A bit long, but only because the deviations are pretty big. In the game, Joel and Ellie run into Bill by setting off one of Frank’s traps littered around a town just outside Boston. It’s much more urban and Bill has jerryrigged it to keep infected and trespassers away from his bunker. There are a few cutscenes and gameplay sections where you’re escaping infected with Bill as you search for a working truck that he knows. In the cutscenes, Bill butts heads a lot with Ellie and warns Joel, “Seriously, you gotta take that kid back where you found her… Let me tell you a story. Once upon a time I had somebody that I cared about - a… partner - somebody I had to look after. And in this world that sorta shit is good for only one thing: getting you killed.” The back and forth between Ellie and Bill is very funny too. At one point, Bill is mocking Joel’s request to find a car. This is the exchange: BILL: “‘Yeah, sure Joel, go ahead. Take my car.’ Take all my food while you’re at it!” ELLIE: “By the looks of it, you could lose some of that food.” There is a lot of that feuding between the two and it's legitimately very funny, and gives you a better sense of Ellie's personality. Long story short, you have two objectives in this part of the game: 1) find the truck and 2) get a battery for the truck from another car. You reach the battery first, but it’s gone. When you find it later, it’s already been placed in the truck by Frank, who you find has hung himself in the house where the truck was stored. It turned out that while preparing to leave, he got bit. So rather than turn, he offs himself and leaves a note for Bill saying he hates him because he "could never understand" what Frank needed from their time together. Their romantic relationship is hinted at, but never shown. In the end, Bill helps Joel and Ellie leave and remains alive in his town.

I always come back after watching the episode myself. Its always nice to see the reactions to this phenomenal show

Lol, when someone says "I wish I were smarter" the correct response is not a pitiful "awww"

This episode is much different than the game. It was done beautifully. This to me was a win because imagine growing old in a time like this with someone you love. Bill & Frank got to choose how, where, when, and with whom they died. And got to plan the whole day. In game Bill was just an ass, hardened and then a little broken after Frank left him and got bit. Finding Franks bitten body.

Love the discussions. Great stuff. This part was very different from the game but I didn’t mind at all cause it was so well done. I think I teared up more during your reaction than I did watching the episode by myself. You guys got me. 😂

Nick Offerman may very well get a guest star Emmy for this. As much as I've always liked him, I didn't know he was this good.

I've seen soo many tlou reactions and, omg you're literally the first I found that caught ellie sarcastic "no" at the boyfriend question.. Finally 😂

Joel was trying to take Ellie to Bill and Frank so they would take her off of his hands.

Elise is sharp with her observations. No G-Shock plugs this episode? 😂

I think the stones at the beginning are Joel building a cairn to the dead (Tess)

The beauty of this episode is that it subverts our expectations. We've been conditioned through modern storytelling to fear everything, especially the benign, the innocuous. Dolls, children, children with dolls, dolls that look like children, all manner of seemingly harmless and familiar things, all trying to kill you. We expect that any kindness will be answered with violence, that any trust met with betrayal. We as an audience have been primed to fear the most faithful of friends, the most reliable family members - especially in this particular genre of horror - and when we encounter a story about caring and commitment amongst the ruins of a dying world, we don't know how to process it and it hits hard. "I was not expecting this" seems to be the most common refrain, with good reason. This is ostensibly a series about a 'zombie apocalypse' where anyone and everyone can go from being a kindred soul to a mortal threat in an instant and no one is to be trusted, especially other humans. Yet this particular tale is about trust, and love, both matrimonial and romantic. It's about allowing oneself to be vulnerable and in that vulnerability, finding those moments of existence that are both ephemeral and priceless. We expect a calamity, a personal buskin beyond the destruction of our civilization. We anticipate a type of misfortune that doesn't occur. During the worst catastrophe in the history of human kind, we bear witness the best thing to ever happen to these two humans, and it's profound; jarring. We await a devastation that never comes to pass, that expectation of tragedy is subverted by a story of love. We expect blood and destruction; what we get is a masterpiece about small, beautiful lives lived less ordinary. This is one of the best stories ever told on film, in my opinion, and it's based on a video game; we've come a long way from Pong.

Damn! Seems like every episode is going to be filled with emotions. Very good reaction.

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, I realize there would be no easy way to do the section justice in the span of a single episode. Nevertheless, I'm completely satisfied with this beautiful character study of Bill, and I'm excited to see where they take the series next.

The channel blowin up baby !

I am loving your reactions! You guys react but also analyse and study the series! I also do that hahahaha even though i don't have a reaction channel

Part of the fun with Bill in the game is his interactions with Ellie. He's also gay in the game, but a lot more stern, gruff, and closed off. (Shout out to W. Earl Brown who played him in the game) In the game, his inability to trust anyone nor reach out to other people drove Frank away - who ended up offing himself after being bit (Bill, Joel and Ellie find him along their journey). Bill attempts to act like "F*** him" when they find him, but you can see the devastation in his face. In the game, Bill serves as a warning to Joel of what you become when you don't let anyone in. On the show, he serves as an example of how happy you can be if you do. But I still wish we got to see badass Bill fighting some infected with Joel and Ellie.

Joel loved Tess deeply as well, but he didn’t want to feel pain again, so he always left a wall between them to protect himself. Bill and Frank’s story is about embracing love as it makes life worth living even though it can also bring pain. That’s something that Joel struggles to deal with, so he always closes himself off. Very beautiful episode. Another great example of deviating from the game in a way that adds to the material instead of subtracting.

In the game Frank isn’t alive because he committed suicide, because he became infected. Unlike the show it’s never clearly stated if Bill’s and Frank’s relationship was romantic, but in the game Bill was telling Joel that “love makes you weak” or “holds you down” I always thought he and Frank had either and romantic relationship or a strong friendship and he closed himself off to feeling anything, because the one person he truly cared about he couldn’t save (much like Joel and Tess). I loved this episode and glad it gave us a breather lol 😂

What a great reaction! The group therapy/crying hug got my subscribe! LOL Keep it up, you three! :)

The battery that he made is a chemical battery. It creates electricity from the chemical reaction. The chemicals can be replaced and can be reused

The fungus can also spread when people fail to properly clean surfaces, bowls, and utensils used to prep the dough.

As a massive fan of the game, I can say this episode deviated a LOT from how this stuff worked in the game. That being said this absolutely broke me and I'm glad they did it like this. The way it was in the game would not have necessarily worked in the medium of a tv series and the whole backstory with Bill and Frank would not have made sense in the game.

Not many people know this but Frank had multiple sclerosis. That’s why he couldn’t paint the same or get into bed alone.

I can't say anymore than "Incredible well done"

You don't have to be a gun person to own a firearm. It can save your life or a loved one as you said. As long as you respect the tool and recognize the responsibilities.

loving your reactions and in-depth discussions! my favorite episode so far, and probably one of the most heartbreaking TV episodes i've ever seen..

This was peak television. Simply the best, most perfect television I've seen since maybe the M.A.S.H. finale decades ago. The exploration of the building early on was filler, and there's no way that Bill would have been stupid enough to stand out in the street unless a breach was imminent, but those were minor flaws. The direction and writing was as excellent as anything I've ever seen.

FINALLY reactors who realized that this is bill and frank so they stop being suspicious of frank early on. some of the others didn't realize for so long

at a point I laughed! Thank u for this reaction

This was the first time I cried to a freaking hole on the ground.

I NEVER cry, bro. I just happen to always be in really dusty rooms.

Yes, a clicker DOES have a "helmet" In fact: Fungi cell walls are composed of CHITIN - The same material that makes up Crab and Lobster shells. Chitin is VERY durable. SO durable that engineers at the University of Houston are using chitin and 3D printing techniques to produce high-impact multilayered coatings that can protect soldiers against bullets, lasers, toxic gas and other dangers.

Love you guys, authentic reactions

"gotta look out for those... ravers" lol

13:00 Nice

Great reaction to a great episode

With the deaths of these emotionally invested characters in each episode, it really gives a deeper meaning to the title ‘The Last of Us.’

Real tears. I’m glad they updated it from an lgbt couple can’t have happiness. When Bill said he was never afraid until he met Frank I broke. Also I notice people keep mentioning it but Joel isn’t giving a gun to the girl who reminds him of his daughter who was shot no matter how practical it is

You guys were so quiet when Nick Offerman sang! And Hugo, I'm a burly 64-year-old who bawled. for this episode.

Great episode that proves that Hugo is a real human being. Unlike what some have commented before, he is not an ass, he just occasionally plays one on YT😂😂. Great production value on the new camera too

“I can’t watch guys cry.” Same. I can watch chicks cry all day but the second a tear rolls down a dude’s face, I’m in shambles lol.

I cried. Feeling the emotions of all the characters😭

I 100% agree with elaine(?). The sooner you teach her to use a firearm, the safer everyone will be. Not because she knows how to use it, only because she knows how NOT to use it.

"how did they board up so fast?" ...it is literally a Home Depot 😂

“Against gods wishes” *grabs popcorn* dis gon be good 😂