Just because society is an apocalyptic show stripped to bare barbaric bones doesn’t make sense Last of Us Nor can you take away the finer things in life.
For example music.
From the very first episode, Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann’s adaptation of HBO’s Naughty Dog game uses music in a significant way, with Depeche Mode’s “Never Let Me Down Again” ahead as the end credits roll. It sets an ominous tone to what’s in. Episode 3 ends this musical loop, but also includes another important song (after which it’s named). It’s Linda Ronstadt’s ballad “Long Long Time” from her 1970 Grammy-nominated sophomore album. silk purse.
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How does Linda Ronstadt’s “Long Long Time” in Episode 3 work?
Shortly after the outbreak of the Cordyceps pandemic, survivalist Bill (Nick Offerman) is caught in one of the traps set by an uninfected stranger, Frank (Murray Bartlett), outside his fortified hometown. discover that there is After reluctantly rescuing Frank from the hole and feeding him a wonderful meal of rabbits and Beaujolais at home, Frank gleefully but politely goes to Bill’s piano and begins flipping through his stash of sheet music.Throwing away some appetizing composers, he settles down Best of Linda Ronstadt.
“this Frank says as he flips through the book and sits at the keyboard.
Credit: Liane Hentscher/HBO
He played along to “Long Long Time” and began singing, before quickly taking over when Bill protested Frank’s lighthearted performance, singing the opening lines in a sullen, painful but reverent voice.
“Love stays, takes things positively,
Sounds like good advice, but no one is on my side.
And time washes away cleanly, and the scars of love are invisible.
Someone told me that, but I don’t understand what it means.‘Cause I’ve done everything I know to make you mine
And I will love you for a long time. “
Ronstadt’s song prompts Frank to measure and check Bill’s sexuality. Moments later, the two share a passionate kiss and a decades-long relationship begins. In this sense, “Long Long Time” is the catalyst for their relationship and everything that follows.
Written by Gary White, Ronstadt’s song is actually about unrequited love, Last of Us, Bill stops before the second and third verses. It contains painful lyrics that are much more overt about “the love that never was.” So by cutting the song here, the show keeps the burgeoning romance in a positive direction, avoiding the Ronstadt-sung doom.
What is the meaning of “Long Long Time” at the end?
Things are appropriately touched after a touching episode that tracks the life Bill and Frank share, from their first meeting shortly before Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) arrive to their deaths. It ends with a note.
After Joel reads the letter Bill left behind and replenishes his supplies, Joel and Ellie set out on a journey in Bill’s truck. In the glove box, Ellie finds a tape with “Bill’s Mix” written on the side and, against Joel’s objections, plugs it into the car’s player. But as soon as the music starts playing, he changes his mind.
“No, wait,” he says. “No, leave me alone. Leave me alone, this is Linda Ronstadt.”
Driving out of the house that Bill and Frank have shared for decades, we hear the original version of the song “Long Long Time” that Bill and Frank played to each other on the piano many years ago. It’s a fitting reminder of how much Joel and Bill have in common (something Bill emphasizes in his letter), but it’s a poignant introduction to the beginnings of Bill and Frank’s relationship. It is also a throwback.
Last of Us is streaming on HBO Max(opens in new tab) New episodes air every Sunday night on HBO.
