In the end, the Hollywood Reporter was right. HBO’s The Last of Us Episode 3 ending is truly “shocking”. An “unnecessary polemic”, especially since the chapter is spectacular from start to (almost) the end. Yes, a big change has taken place in Bill’s destiny. And no, you probably won’t like it very much once you’ve played the game.
From here the text contains spoilers for the third chapter!
But calm down. Let’s do it gradually. From the beginning. A good start by the way. And this time without scientific introductions too bad, because those in the first two episodes were spectacular. A beautiful interaction between Ellie and an infected, and incredible dialogue between her and Joel, in which he confirms the flour theory with all the letters, ending with a flashback to Bill’s first appearance.
Ali, he’s the guy we know. A madman/genius who manages to evade FEDRA and hide within his own without exposing himself to the risks of the apocalypse that has happened around him. Until a guy falls into one of his traps, saves him, opens the bathroom to take a shower, serves dinner, lets them play the piano… and kisses. Well, the kiss is valid, see Neil Druckmann? No, we’re still not over that Tess scene.
From there we see an ingenious construction by Neil himself with Craig Mazin and director Peter Roar. Bill and Frank’s relationship is shown in great detail, with some really cool scenes like having lunch with Joel and Tess, picking strawberries, and even the “last day”. And if Bill is a separate highlight in the game, Frank is the center of attention in Episode 3 of HBO’s The Last of Us.
Murray Bartlett, who starred in the first season of The White Lotus in 2021, is taking acting classes. By the way, the couple is built quite correctly. Devs’ Nick Offerman does a great job as Bill, and there’s clear chemistry between them. From the first moment of Episode 3 of The Last of Us.
The Last of Us Episode 3 ends
Only if so far has happened what everyone has been waiting for since it was announced that the episode would focus more on Bill and Frank things change quickly. Our “Mad Hatter” Bill becomes “the last romantic” and commits suicide to die “hand in hand” with his loved one who was ill and had asked for help to end his suffering. Beautiful, exciting, chilled. If it weren’t for a big change to what we live in The Last of Us game.
You know that character that you formed a nice connection with and were even curious about what happens after you leave him behind? Well, it’s like he just doesn’t exist. After all, when Joel and Ellie arrive at Bill’s house on the show, he’s already dead. He just left a letter and the car keys on the table. A result that will divide opinions and most fans will probably not like it.
Not for the love story, which is truly amazing. The episode’s final shot of Joel and Ellie driving off in the car with the bedroom window open is “poetic.” However, to produce an extremely significant and “unnecessary” change. It was possible to narrate the romance but escalate it to Bill after he lost Frank in a way that made him even more paranoid as “displayed” ingame. Perhaps in the scene where they have to fend off potential invaders.
But at least the pagegluing scene is here! In all its glory! In the end, The Last of Us Episode 3 is good, very good and keeps the level of the series up there. The only question really is this change in canon of the series. But technically, and within the framework of the proposal presented, there’s no doubt that this is another great work from HBO.