(Photograph by Liane Hentscher/HBO)
As The Final of Us’ second episode lurches towards its gut-wrenching conclusion, seconds earlier than Tess (Anna Torv) makes the last word sacrifice, she begs Joel (Pedro Pascal) to deliver Ellie (Bella Ramsey) to Invoice and Frank’s. In that second, these names imply nothing to newcomers of the franchise. And, the truth is, given the emotional depth of the scene, you can be forgiven for fully forgetting the pair have been even talked about.
However followers who beforehand performed via the sport know Invoice is an previous acquaintance of Joel’s or, as he gruffly describes him to Ellie, “A fella that owes me some favors.” Frank, however, is extra of a thriller, “a accomplice” of Invoice’s who we by no means see alive within the sport.
The collection’ third episode, titled “Lengthy, Lengthy Time,” doesn’t simply fill within the blanks on Frank and his relationship with Invoice, however does so by way of an extremely considerate, nuanced love story that’ll little question be remembered come awards’ season.
Spoiler alert: The next comprises particulars about The Final of Us season 2, episode 3, “Lengthy, Lengthy Time.” Cease right here when you’ve got not watched the episode and need to keep away from spoilers.
(Photograph by Liane Hentscher/HBO)
Episode 3 focuses nearly fully on Invoice (Nick Offerman) and Frank (Murray Bartlett). We uncover how they meet, fall in love, develop previous collectively, and in the end die – fortunately, on their very own phrases – in one another’s arms. It’s a shifting, emotional, surprisingly romantic story arc that appears fairly a far cry from the sport’s tackle the identical relationship.
And whereas the episode certainly marks a big departure from the sport, investing practically an hour fleshing out a aspect story that’s barely hinted at within the supply materials, the 2 variations of Invoice and Frank’s story aren’t fairly as totally different as they first seem. In truth, upon nearer inspection of two key scenes – one from the present, one from the sport – you’ll be able to start to understand how each tales not solely started on the identical path, however may have simply as simply continued down it to achieve similar conclusions.
A NASTY NOTE
(Photograph by Liane Hentscher/HBO)
Within the sport, there appears to be no love misplaced between Invoice and Frank. Their romance is rarely immediately referenced and, outdoors of a quick trade with Joel – the place Invoice speaks of a accomplice he as soon as cared for and guarded – he not often has a sort phrase to say about Frank. And the sensation is mutual, as Frank, who selected to hold himself after being contaminated, leaves an particularly nasty suicide word for Invoice.
Nevertheless it’s that very word that every one however references a pivotal scene within the episode, a scene that, clearly, doesn’t exist within the sport. Amongst a number of nasty jabs, together with, “I hated your guts,” the letter reads, “I grew bored with this shitty city and your set-in-your-ways perspective. I wished extra from life than this and you can by no means get that.”
With the advantage of hindsight, it’s now inconceivable to learn that word and never recall the couple’s argument from the present. Within the episode, three years into their relationship, Frank storms from the home. He craves extra from life – he needs to repair up the neighborhood, make new associates, and never merely survive, however thrive on this new, post-apocalyptic regular. He even threatens, albeit sarcastically, to sacrifice himself to considered one of Invoice’s traps. Invoice reluctantly concedes, however had the hardcore survivalist stood his floor, we may completely think about Frank leaving him, penning the offended goodbye, and assembly the identical grim demise he does within the sport.
INTERCHANGEABLE TALES
(Photograph by Liane Hentscher/HBO)
Equally, if you happen to’ve simply performed via the “Invoice’s City” chapter of the sport earlier than watching the episode, you would possibly watch the argument unfold with bated breath, questioning if it’ll in the end result in a pissed-off, contaminated Frank hanging from a rope. Conversely, if the sport’s offended letter was fueled by the identical – although unseen – argument, however the feud performed out because it does within the present, we may see ourselves looking for automobile batteries and combating Bloaters not simply alongside Invoice, however tackling these very video game-y targets with Frank additionally in tow. In truth, if Naughty Canine needs to begin engaged on that alternate-history enlargement, we’d like to play it. How rad would it not be to see an in-game Frank bashing contaminated with a damaged bottle of effective wine?
After all, that is all made extra intriguing by the truth that the word is an in-game “artifact,” an elective, lore-building collectible you can completely miss. Moreover, you’ve got the selection, as Joel, to share the letter with Invoice or maintain it a secret.
The episode is definitely the collection’ greatest but, one which’ll deservedly be hailed as a significant departure from the sport that modified the story for the higher. And that’s earlier than you breach the larger, overarching themes, like Invoice’s constructive transformation presumably shaping Joel’s outlook and his relationship with Ellie. However on the identical time, it’s extremely cool that every one the puzzle items have been in place for the collection’ narrative to extra carefully mirror the sport’s model of occasions and vice versa.
ELLIE GETS HER GUN AND OTHER EASTER EGGS
(Photograph by Liane Hentscher/HBO)
These inventive collisions between sport and collection aren’t simply restricted to Invoice and Frank’s love story. Within the former, Ellie is constantly scolded by Invoice for touching his private gadgets, whereas within the latter she’s incessantly bugging Joel to let her carry a firearm. These two separate threads sarcastically collide when, within the present, Ellie lastly will get her gun – unbeknownst to Joel – whereas snooping via the now-deceased Invoice’s dwelling. Previous to this, she additionally breaks his grandfather clock, an offense that will have spiked game-Invoice’s blood stress past any physician advisable stage.
The episode additionally comprises some extra conventional Easter eggs, together with Ellie discovering an previous Mortal Kombat II arcade cupboard in a comfort retailer. Within the supply materials, the coin-op is a fictional sport known as “The Turning,” however Ellie’s enthusiasm and gory gameplay description is analogous. The episode additionally closes with an inside shot of Invoice and Frank’s bed room window, a well-known picture – full with windswept curtains – that devoted followers will acknowledge from the sport’s major menu display screen.
MORE CORDYCEPS CONTEXT
By the lens of Ellie’s curiosity, the present continues to make clear the Cordyceps virus’ origins. Joel explains to her that it was initially unfold via the meals provide, particularly mass-consumed components, like flour and sugar. That is additionally hinted at within the second episode’s prologue, when the Mycology professor (Christine Hakim) learns the primary sufferer labored at a flour and grain manufacturing facility. Joel goes on to name out particular meals, comparable to bread, cereal, and pancake combine, that will have kicked off the pandemic earlier than it was additional unfold by aggressive contaminated biting others.
After all, this rationalization remembers the premiere episode, the place Joel and Sarah not solely narrowly keep away from having fun with a pancake breakfast, but additionally conveniently evade cake, cookies, and biscuits all through the day main as much as the outbreak.
96%
The Final of Us: Season 1
(2023)
new episodes air on Sundays on HBO and HBO Max.
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