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[Mibu no ookami]

Then ultimately there is no value in this episode spending so much time on two characters that mean nothing. Had this been season two, episode three, it may have been different. But this is the third episode of a brand new show, it was a great episode, but it seems pointless to spend so much time on two characters that don’t matter long term.

I think that is the problem with doing this in episode 3. You're bringing people into a new franchise and you've talked up these characters only to have them not matter moving forward, but you still spent so much time on them.

With there being no Bill going forward, it doesn't much a ton of sense to flash back to Bill and Frank. Honestly, there is no point in flashing back to Tess either.

This would have been fine if it were half an episode, and the other half of the episode was Bill, Ellie, and Joel still finding the battery.

I think they're ultimately going to lose a lot of their audience with this episode and they're going to see Episode 4 come in with a much smaller audience.

 

[NoLootBoxDev]

Ok, this episode will be ammo for some people.

Anyway, it was decent, not bad. (thanks to HBO MAX, I was able to skip the sex scene, which does not do anything to the story) I could have been fine with it going to a black scene. I liked the interaction in the letter.

 

[angrod14]

REEEEEEEE must friggin' love this episode.

 

[Dynasty8]

It's funny how some people are saying if you don't like this episode then you're "close minded"...... Ok, sure....

I actually liked the episode, but felt it dragged on a bit. Adding the backstory to Bill was really good, but an hour and twenty minutes of mostly just that felt like filler. I would have loved to see some of the crazy shit that went down in the game with Joel getting stuck with one of the traps, clickers chasing the group, Bill coming to save them, the banter/shit talk between Bill and Ellie, etc.

Felt like a missed opportunity. Nonetheless, still a decent episode.

 

[Mikey Jr.]

I absolutely loved it. Watched all hour fifteen like it was nothing.

I'm not one of those people that needs a direct comparison to the game. I take this show as it comes. These are almost 2 separate things for me.

Great episode and great ending to bill and frank. Very beautiful.

I can see though if you were expecting the game, you'd be disappointed.

 

[ChiefDada]

I don't think there is any value with any additional flashbacks of Bill or Tess here.

Then this would be a pointless episode imo. So you have Bill, the most reserved and cynical person on the pre-pandemic planet treating Joel and Tess as loved ones without any explanation? Or was it the strawberries that bought his love??? C'mon they've been giving so much fan service in these episodes it's impossible for me to believe they won't explore how their bond came to be. I expected this episode to explain why in the game Joel felt Bill was obligated to assist him (and why Bill agreed). Isn't that what we were all expecting or am I crazy? A travesty to leave so much talent in Nick Offerman on the table, especially with him playing such an intriguing character like Bill.

 

[Mibu no ookami]

Then this would be a pointless episode imo. So you have Bill, the most reserved and cynical person on the pre-pandemic planet treating Joel and Tess as loved ones without any explanation? Or was it the strawberries that bought his love??? C'mon they've been giving so much fan service in these episodes it's impossible for me to believe they won't explore how their bond came to be. I expected this episode to explain why in the game Joel felt Bill was obligated to assist him (and why Bill agreed). Isn't that what we were all expecting or am I crazy? A travesty to leave so much talent in Nick Offerman on the table, especially with him playing such an intriguing character like Bill.

What in a future episode is going to trigger the flashback specifically of Bill?

For example, Tess had a flashback here. Why? Because it was related to Bill and Frank.

What out west is going to relate to Bill and Frank? I mean they could bring it up if they meet it with raiders, but it'll feel forced. They also made the mistake of showing how long it takes to get from Boston to Bill and Franks.

 

[MirageMew2]

This episode was a pretty big miss for me. I think up until the very end I expected Bill to survive and things to pick up with Joel and Ellie meeting him all distraught at his survival.

The direction they actually took was unnecessary, entirely deviated, and omits two major set pieces from that very chapter, being the upside down clicker sequence and the Bloater boss fight. Joel actually using the front gate with a code and everything felt surreal, as if the entire level could’ve been circumvented that way.

I’m not mad at the nature of the episode by any means but I feel disappointed by an otherwise stellar fan cast and robbed of specific interactions between Bill, Joel, and Ellie. The entire theme of the episode is antithetical to Bill’s actual message by this point in the game - protecting people will get you killed.

 

[DForce]

I think everything was great outside of the Bill and Frank moments. I'm not saying it was all boring, but I just think it lasted a bit too long.

I prefer the video game version of Bill because his arrogance and interaction with Ellie are what made him a great character. I thought we were going to see a similar story to the video game when Bill and Frank were arguing.

I think one of the reasons why they made the change is because...

Spoiler: Game ending

they want to drive home the fact that Joel is dealing with a lot of loss. In the game, he only knew Bill, but in the show, he knows both Bill and Frank.

 

[zcaa0g]

It's funny how some people are saying if you don't like this episode then you're "close minded"...... Ok, sure....

I actually liked the episode, but felt it dragged on a bit. Adding the backstory to Bill was really good, but an hour and twenty minutes of mostly just that felt like filler. I would have loved to see some of the crazy shit that went down in the game with Joel getting stuck with one of the traps, clickers chasing the group, Bill coming to save them, the banner/shit talk between Bill and Ellie, etc.

Felt like a missed opportunity. Nonetheless, still a decent episode.

Usually, the people that cite others as being closed minded are the ones who are actually closed minded.

 

[Represent.]

I like the foreshadowing we got of savage Ellie in the first part of the episode where it’s clear she enjoyed cutting that infected guys forehead.

Beautifully done. That tiny sequence gave me more hope she can pull off a TLOU 2 Ellie

 

[ChiefDada]

Ezekiel_ Damn Zeke that was not the seal I was hoping to earn from you

What in a future episode is going to trigger the flashback specifically of Bill?

For example, Tess had a flashback here. Why? Because it was related to Bill and Frank.

What out west is going to relate to Bill and Frank? I mean they could bring it up if they meet it with raiders, but it'll feel forced. They also made the mistake of showing how long it takes to get from Boston to Bill and Franks.

I'm trying to make sense of a senseless episode. Bill who believes he's on the verge of death with a bullet in his spleen insists on Frank calling Joel. Cold-hearted Joel is too choked up to read the letter Bill left him. They either revisit Bill via flashback to explain the progression of the Bill/Tess/Joel friendship or this goes down as a very useless episode. And it doesn't have to pertain to the West. Flashback could simply be utilized to explain a certain decision, behavior, characteristic of Joel's that presents itself in current day. It could be similar in execution to episode 2 with the opening segment explaining present day.

 

[Slothbeing1209]

I know exactly how 2 forum would react to this episode lmao.
Meanwhile it's still not available in my country :' (

 

[Thaedolus]

Holy fucking shit what an episode. And what a way to adapt that storyline.

 

[Hoppa]

Great episode but when thinking from the perspective of someone who doesn’t know the story it would be a bit annoying to have nearly a whole episode dedicated to these random side characters, keeping in mind we’ve only spent 2 episodes with the main ones. The backstory was done well though and it keeps to the Last of Us theme. We just missed out on the interactions that brought some levity to the story. I’m not going to gatekeep tho, interested and optimistic about seeing how they manage the rest of the story with so much lost time

 

[Ezekiel_]

Ezekiel_ Damn Zeke that was not the seal I was hoping to earn from you

I'm trying to make sense of a senseless episode. Bill who believes he's on the verge of death with a bullet in his spleen insists on Frank calling Joel. Cold-hearted Joel is too choked up to read the letter Bill left him. They either revisit Bill via flashback to explain the progression of the Bill/Tess/Joel friendship or this goes down as a very useless episode. And it doesn't have to pertain to the West. Flashback could simply be utilized to explain a certain decision, behavior, characteristic of Joel's that presents itself in current day. It could be similar in execution to episode 2 with the opening segment explaining present day.

No need for flashbacks.

We understood that Joel and Tess traded with Bill and Frank through the years. Relationship is established.

Bill knew Joel could take care of Frank if he died from gunshot wound.

Tess knew Bill could help Joel bring Ellie west.

The Bill and Frank part of the episode is pretty self contained, but still relates to Joel and Ellie's overall journey.

 

[ChiefDada]

I like the foreshadowing we got of savage Ellie in the first part of the episode where it’s clear she enjoyed cutting that infected guys forehead.

Yes! Forgot to mention this part. It was great! I think Bella Ramsey is doing a better job of playing the role of Ellie than Pedro is playing Joel, which is saying something because I think he's doing a decent job.

 

[Later Alligator]

enjoyed it but kind of mixed feelings. i'm sure this will be a divisive episode lol, even though everyone who played the game already knew that Bill was gay

it was really well done. the backstory of Frank/Bill was good. my wife was bawling

Bill was more or less a throwaway character in the game, so it was odd spending so much time on just Bill/Frank. would have been nice to see some interaction between Bill/Ellie/Joel and to advance the story a bit more

 

[Ansphn]

Horrible episode. OMG all that hype just to show a love story 90% of the episode and completely removing everything from the game. Why can't they do both? Show this love story they wanted to show but cut out some of it to include original highlights from the game like Joel getting caught in a trap, Ellie and Bill throwing shots at each other and of course the amazing school setting with the bloater in the gym.

 

[Thaedolus]

Horrible episode. OMG all that hype just to show a love story 90% of the episode and completely removing everything from the game. Why can't they do both? Show this love story they wanted to show but cut out some of it to include original highlights from the game like Joel getting caught in a trap, Ellie and Bill throwing shots at each other and of course the amazing school setting with the booster in the gym.

Instead of trying to adapt a Ravenholm retread from the game into an hour of TV they told a beautiful story of human connection and elegantly fit it within the overall narrative flawlessly. My initial skepticism was followed by my jaw being on the floor by how great it was.

If that’s horrible I’d like to see your magnum opus.

 

[AJUMP23]

Hour and 20 minute episode, one hour of over wrought romance.

Bill was alive in the game.

 

[kyliethicc]

look at how good this looks

 

[Ansphn]

Instead of trying to adapt a Ravenholm retread from the game into an hour of TV they told a beautiful story of human connection and elegantly fit it within the overall narrative flawlessly. My initial skepticism was followed by my jaw being on the floor by how great it was.

If that’s horrible I’d like to see your magnum opus.

How is this different from any of the millions of love stories on movies, and shows? The only difference is it's 2 gay dudes so it's hyped up to the max. I'm not against their love story but I'm sure they can shave off some time from it and include the original stuff from the game too.

 

[LavitzSlambert]

SuBvErTiNg ExPeCtAtIoNs, the episode. You could tell how this was going to be Hollywood Oscar-bait swill 25 minutes in. I didn’t know just how far they’d take it. For a show about Joel and Ellie’s journey, it has taken every opportunity to focus on everyone else but them and made many questionable writing decisions.

Right now it’s really obvious each of the episodes has been directed by somebody completely different with their own vision for how they want this story to be told. And not at all in a good way. Maybe in an OVA style side story, Bill and Frank’s relationship would be worth focusing on, but it did nothing for the world building or the story that is The Last of Us.


I am fine with Pedro Pascal’s Joel, not yet sold on Bella. Ramsey’s Ellie, and was hoping this episode’s interactions with Bill would have helped - but instead there were none but the letter. It’s not even close to be compelling motivation for Joel to go out of his way and help Ellie at this point.

 

[bentanchorbolt]

Good episode but people would be better served if they realized the show was based on and adapted from the game, it’s not a one for one remake. I don’t understand why people are incapable of understanding this.

 

[In Cold Blood]

Looks like they have done a really good job with it.
I actually wondered why Sony never did their own movie adaptation of this. I would have thought they would have been all over it.

 

[Beastclaw Raider]

Filler episode but loved it. Hit close to me, I was pretty much bill after my relationship with my ex. Hated everyone, convinced myself I was a lone wolf, didnt trust anyone but then I met my current girlfriend, whom is also younger than me (could so relate to Bill telling Frank I'm sorry getting older) and she turned my world upside down. Also wasnt scared of anything before meeting her, now I'm a fucking chicken just thinking someday i will be losing her to life. I guess this episode will hit for some, some will hate it, but for me it was great.

 

[Vick]

look at how good this looks

0:30

Guess she's tied to Anna timeline..

https://www.denofgeek.com/games/the...-melanie-lynskey-character-details-explained/

But part of me wish they came to the realization the utter fan fiction-tier of Abby origin would never work on a HBO TV Series, and found a better way to tell that story incorporating elements of the scrapped villain Tess + Abby into an actual believable character. Wishful thinking.

 

[Beastclaw Raider]

As for frank's disease, my guess is either MSA or parkinson as there's no cure for it

 

[MastAndo]

Who would have thought Ron Swanson and Jordan Peterson would make such a sweet pairing?

Sure, the episode was a deviation from the others and probably my least favorite so far as it did come across a bit as bloated filler, but I still found it to be overall touching and poignant. The show can't miss at this point.

As for frank's disease, my guess is either MSA or parkinson as there's no cure for it

Yeah, it was definitely something neurodegenerative. I was assuming ALS or Parkinson's.

 

[TheMan]

Kind of torn on this one. On its own it was a great episode and I liked it a lot actually. As part of this series in particular I feel it doesn’t do enough to move the story forward

 

[DragoonKain]

Felt like filler. I don't mind too much as long as we don't look back after the season and go "man, could've used an extra hour to develop the Joel Ellie relationship" but they still have plenty of time to do that.

But still, in an HBO high production show, filler feels a little lame. Especially filler for characters no longer relevant based on how it ended.

 

[vpance]

A very try hard Emmy nominee episode. Even playing that overused Max Richter song. But executed decently I guess.

 

[rhodesianshepard]

As @Chiggs mentioned San Junipero was a much much better episode of TV.

I thought it started off strong, but I think someone made the choice at the end which removed the idea of having Ellie interact directly with Bill because they couldn't do both, but what this episode needed was more Joel and Ellie and to that point Joel, Ellie, and Bill.

It's around this time that people really start to like Ellie because she is hilarious. Her interactions with Bill are top notch. But so far in the show Ellie has already been "handcuffed" and she has already kicked a tray at her captors. You can't play these beats twice.

I'm glad the show is doing well, but I'm not a fan of most of the changes.

Bill interacting with Ellie is unnecessary in the show. Joel and Bill are one and the same. That is the whole point when Joel reads Bill's letter. They both suppress their feelings and try there best to not get emotionally attached to anyone. That is the reason why Joel does not want to know anything about Ellie, because he doesn't want to get attached to her. I think Joel already feels affection for Ellie, but he is purposefully trying to avoid expressing those feelings. He doesn't want to care for someone like Bill did for Frank. It adds a lot of depth to Joel's character And it would be redundant if both Bill and Joel both treated Ellie like an anchor. Yeah, there are many funny moments with Bill, but in all honesty, Bill was just an unlikeable prick in the game. I really enjoyed the added character development in the show

And I find Bella Ramsey's Ellie very likeable as a viewer. I don't think it matters if Joel does or doesn't feel the same way right now. There will also be plenty of more time for them to interact with one another, unlike the game, in which Ellie and Joel's bonding occurs around the gameplay. The show will surely show them bonding in quieter and more intimate moments as they journey across country. Something they could never really do in the game

 

[Beastclaw Raider]

I think Joel already feels affection for Ellie, but he is purposefully trying to avoid expressing those feelings.

In one scene in episode 2, after an interaction with Ellie, Joel looks at his watch and this is showed perfectly. She's already reminding him of his girl and is attached to her already.

 

[James Sawyer Ford]

I absolutely loved it. Watched all hour fifteen like it was nothing.

I'm not one of those people that needs a direct comparison to the game. I take this show as it comes. These are almost 2 separate things for me.

Great episode and great ending to bill and frank. Very beautiful.

I can see though if you were expecting the game, you'd be disappointed.

Yeah I think this episode makes more sense for TV while what we had in the game made more sense in that context.

Honestly I loved this episode because the best parts of TLOU’s story is where it speaks to the human condition and isn’t all straight up action

Could have done without things being so explicit, but whatever.

This episode isn’t filler at all, I suggest people rewatch the last scene with Joel and Ellie.

 

[TGO]

So Ellie don't steal Bill's porn mags...
There a lot cool stuff in the game with Bill so overall it's a bit disappointing imo.
Also odd to explore characters to not expand on them, kinda pointless.

 

[crazepharmacist]

So Druckman strikes again with his gay liberal woke bullshit. Bill was not gay in the game. Fuck this.

 

[Hayabusabruh]

I watched 2 amazing episodes and then the longest Davato commercial ever. Lol

 

[TGO]

So Druckman strikes again with his gay liberal woke bullshit. Bill was not gay in the game. Fuck this.

You serious?

 

[rhodesianshepard]

So Druckman strikes again with his gay liberal woke bullshit. Bill was not gay in the game. Fuck this.

He totally was gay in the game. I'm sorry that the idea of two same sex couples disturbs you

 

[crazepharmacist]

You serious?

Unless my memory failed me, I do not remember Bill being involved in a hardcore homosexual gay make out scene.

 

[GooseMan69]

Listen, I’m a huge fan of both games. I think Part II is one of the finest games ever made. I loved the first two episodes of the show. However...

That episode SUCKED. There was absolutely no need what so ever to spend that much time on the Bill/Frank relationship. The bigger problem is that we didn’t get any interaction between Bill and Ellie, and hardly any interaction between Joel and Bill. The best part of Bill’s Town in the game was the interaction between 3 people being forced to work with each other, all whom wanted nothing to do with it.

 

[GooseMan69]

Unless my memory failed me, I do not remember Bill being involved in a hardcore homosexual gay make out scene.

Bill was gay in the game.

 

[crazepharmacist]

Bill was gay in the game.

I’m gonna have to replay it then. The last time I played it was on ps3 before the ps4 version even came out. There definitely was no gay make out scene in the game though.

 

[crazepharmacist]

He totally was gay in the game. I'm sorry that the idea of two same sex couples disturbs you

Don’t put words in my mouth. I have no problem with same sex couples. I just don’t want him retconning his woke political views into the game. Now if my memory fails me and bill actually is gay then I take my comment back. I know the second game went full woke but I don’t remember the first game being woke in the slightest.

 

[Kabelly]

Don’t put words in my mouth. I have no problem with same sex couples. I just don’t want him retconning his woke political views into the game. Now if my memory fails me and bill actually is gay then I take my comment back. I know the second game went full woke but I don’t remember the first game being woke in the slightest.

because you people have worms for brains. Bill was always gay. Ellie was always gay.

 

[Kabelly]

we didn't even see any cock in this episode. For HBO this was tame as hell.

edit: seeing his relationship was cute and all but they could have trimmed a lot and still kept some of the cool set pieces. i think Joel and Bill finding Frank's body would have been a lot more impactful.

 

[Snowdonhoffen]

Don’t put words in my mouth. I have no problem with same sex couples. I just don’t want him retconning his woke political views into the game. Now if my memory fails me and bill actually is gay then I take my comment back. I know the second game went full woke but I don’t remember the first game being woke in the slightest.

I don't know how much you remember about the game. But the way Bill talks about Frank in the game, the way he reacts to find him dead and the letter Frank left him pretty much tells you Bill is gay. And if that's not enough, the gay porn magazine Ellie finds in the car should be everything you need to know, lol.

 

[rhodesianshepard]

Having gay people in TV shows/games means you have gone "woke" in your opinion. You understand you are the one politicizing it? Ellie was gay in the first game and so was Bill. What political about that?