Will there be a better TV episode in 2023? Should it rank among the best of all time? Only time can adequately answer these questions, but the fact that they can be asked with a straight face is a testament to The Last of Us Episode 3’s power and influence.

Murray Bartlett and Nick Offerman’s beautiful love story wasn’t quite what I expected from a TV series about the fungal apocalypse, but this is a TV episode I’ll watch over and over again.

After losing Tess (Anna Torv) last week, we caught up with Ellie a bit (Bella Ramsey) and a grieving Joel (Pedro Pascal), Bill (Offerman) and Frank (Bartlett) at the beginning of the episode.Tweak the events of the game and create all-new backstories for these characters to elevate them Last of Us Beyond glamorous blockbusters to emotional and painstaking quests for love.

The Last of Us Episode 3, Long, Long Time…

1. Why did they choose Linda Ronstadt’s song “Long, Long Time”?

Can you listen to this song without thinking about Bill and Frank? The 1970 hit, heard by the couple singing and played in the closing sequence, was Broadway legend Seth Rudestski’s It was a proposal.

He was challenged by Craig Mazin to come up with a song about “a lifetime of loss and longing” and he immediately responded with “Long, Long Time”.

speak in HBO Last of Us Podcast“I forgot this song existed, but it couldn’t have been more perfect,” Mazin said.

The lyrics are someone saying, everyone saying it’s okay… forever them in the most unrewarding way.

Mr Mazin adds:

2. Thanks to Nick Offerman and Murray Bartlett

Sarah and Joel. Tess and Joel. Ellie and Joel. And now Bill and Frank. The Last of Us loves to give us beautiful, messy, and complicated relationships that tear our hearts out.

But despite the brilliance of creators Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin, this episode wouldn’t be the same without Offerman and Bartlett’s tenderly nuanced performances.

Strawberry laughter, lines about Arby’s, declarations of happiness and joy on the last day – the duo glowed and made every line feel special.

Also, it was apparently Offerman who insisted on using Bill’s “New World Order” opening line.

3. Why did you change the story of the TV show Bill and Frank’s computer game?

Neil Druckmann admits on the Last of Us podcast that he worked on changing the TV show from the game, and that the question he always came back to was “How much do we get?”

Once the final script for Episode 3 is complete, it probably won’t be a hard decision to make.

“[It’s]such a beautiful story that explores the complexity, happiness, and pain of love,” said Druckmann.[Itissuchabeautifulstorythatexploresthecomplexityoflovethehappinessandpain”saidDruckmann[愛の複雑さ、幸福、そして痛みを探求する、とても美しい物語です」とDruckmannは言いました。[Itissuchabeautifulstorythatexploresthecomplexityoflovethehappinessandpain”saidDruckmann

It’s a happier ending, and also one that enhances Ellie and Joel’s story. You’ll know when you’re prompted to take a chance.

“This is not a tragic ending at the end of the play,” says Bill. He talks about the joy and fulfillment of his life with Frank, but it has a double meaning. His actions and words also motivate Joel to continue his mission.

4. The ending window shot was a strange piece of luck

It was the perfect way to wrap up the episode and end Bill and Frank’s story. The first darkness and shadow we see in Bill Inn is the basement, replaced by love and optimism. Bill and Frank are at peace.

However, the creators admit that they got to that final shot with an extraordinary stroke of luck.

They revealed that they planned to start every episode with the windows and curtains blown out. was.

Mazin and Druckmann said it was a “misfire” of the idea, but it resulted in this beautiful ending.

5. Joel and Ellie’s Journey Begins

This was Bill and Frank’s episode, but it was also the one where Joel and Ellie’s journey together with their relationship truly begins.

Ellie’s playfulness at the Mortal Kombat arcade machine and her first ride in a car. Little Dad jokes at Cumberland Farms (“Is there anything bad here?” “Only you”). That look from Pedro Pascal as Ellie responds to the upcoming list of rules.

Their lives are as intertwined as Bill and Frank’s, but will they have the same happy ending?

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