The Last of Us – “Long, Long Time” Review
The Last of Us, “Long, Long Time” aired on January 29th on HBO. Based on the 2013 video game developed by Naughty Dog, the series follows Joel (Pedro Pascal), a smuggler tasked with escorting the teenage Ellie (Bella Ramsey) across the post-apocalyptic United States. In “Long, Long Time”, when a stranger approaches his compound, survivalist Bill (Nick Offerman) forges an unlikely connection. Later, Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) seek Bill’s guidance. Below you will find our review of The Last of Us, “Long, Long Time”.
Warning: This article contains spoilers from The Last of Us “Long, Long Time”. Read at your own risk!
Just having lost Tess (Anna Torv), Joel is keeping his promise his promise and taking Ellie to meet fellow allies, Bill and Frank (Murray Bartlett). During their hike, they stop so Joel can find some supplies that he has hidden. While he is looking, Ellie has an up-close encounter with an infected, who is trapped under some rubble. Joel teaches Ellie about what happened when the virus first started. How they guess the virus started with a mutation that got into the food supply. They cross a mass grave where Joel informs Ellie how the government soldiers would execute innocent people if there wasn’t room in QZ’s in the early days of the outbreak.
In a flashback to 2007, a paranoid survivalist, Bill, is busy fortifying his town after soldiers marked it as empty with supplies from all over town and its outskirts. Four years later, Frank falls into one of Bill’s traps, who was trying to get to Boston QZ after his previous one had fallen. He asked Bill if he could eat and clean up before heading toward Boston. The two start a romantic relationship; Frank stays with Bill.
“Paying attention to things, it’s how we show love.” – Frank (Murray Bartlett)
Several years later, Tess and Joel join Frank and Bill for dinner. Bill is very nervous and paranoid around Joel and Tess. Joel warns Bill that they are safe but it’s raiders that they need to watch out for. In the next time jump, just like Joel warned, raiders found Bill’s little sanctuary. Luckily Bill’s traps killed them all. Ten years later, present time, Frank is suffering from a degrative illness and asks Bill to euthanize him after they marry. They had one last day together. Bill, not wanting to live without Frank, kills himself as well.
Joel and Ellie arrive sometime later, discovering a letter that Bill wrote to Joel. Besides the letter, there was a key, in the letter Bill wrote saying not to enter the bedroom, that he left the window open to help with the smell. Bill explains that protecting Frank is what gave life meaning after the outbreak. He also left the truck and all of his supplies to keep Tess safe. Joel wanted to see Ellie’s healed arm once again before telling her that they were going to find his brother Tommy (Gabriel Luna) who was a Firefly, as Joel was going to check on him anyways. Joel lays down a set of rules for Ellie to follow before grabbing supplies and leave.
My Overall Thoughts
I’m already loving the dynamic between Joel and Ellie, how Ellie knows exactly what to say to get under Joel’s skin. But you also have to love Ellie’s curiosity about everything as she’s been sheltered since the very beginning. Getting to witness Bill and Frank’s story from the beginning added so much depth to their story that I don’t think any of us knew we needed it. Making it a very emotional episode. I was not ready for the emotional toll of what this episode put me through.
Though it did warm my heart seeing how amused Ellie was inside of a car as it was her first time; but even more when Joel made sure she wore a seat belt. Even though he is acting like a tough guy, deep, deep down we know he cares for her. Even with multiple time jumps throughout the episode, not once did it feel like it was being rushed or anything. Which was my fear when I heard there would be time jumps. Once again, the show did not disappoint with they have visuals that matched up with the game, like the crashed plane in the field and the half-open window. Another amazing episode.
When you’re lost in the darkness, look for the light.
What are your thoughts on the episode? Let us know in the comments or on any of our social medias.
