Video game adaptations on television can be hit or miss, but HBO's The Last of Us is a resounding success that has proven to be one of the best things on television. The series is a faithful adaptation of the popular video game, and it has been met with high praise from both fans of the game and newcomers alike. The latest episode, "Long, Long Time," showcases the series' ability to break away from its action-packed roots and offer a gentle, soft, and love-filled storyline.
"Long, Long Time" focuses on the journey and life of two characters, Bill and Frank, from the day of the outbreak to the present day. The creators, Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin, decided to deviate from the original storyline of the characters from the video game and expand their story to encompass their meeting, love story, and life together. This decision allowed for a more in-depth exploration of the characters and their relationship, providing a deeper understanding of their motivations and desires. However, despite the deviation from the original storyline, the character of Bill remains true to his grumpy and survivalist character that was seen in the video game.
Nick Offerman was cast as Bill in the series, and his performance has been highly praised. Speaking on HBO’s official podcast for the series, Craig Mazin explains that Offerman was cast for his comedic background and humanity. According to Mazin, comic actors bring an inherent humanity and understanding of the absurdity of the world to their roles, making them ideal choices for non-comic roles.
“Vince Gilligan [Better Call Saul showrunner] said once that he loves hiring comic actors for non-comic roles,” Mazin explains. “Because they have an innate humanity that is there underneath the drama, and they understand the absurdity of the world because that is the bedrock of comedy. And I think Nick is a great example of what Vince is talking about. He just, there’s a humanity to him underneath this gruff, angry, closed-off man.”
The Last of Us Episode 3 Takes a Breather with Frank and Bill
The Last of Us has been making waves in the world of television, with its third episode being widely regarded as one of the greatest ever. This episode marked a departure from the central characters, Joel and Ellie, instead focusing on the relationship between two long-term survivors, Frank and Bill. This change in focus has sparked mixed reactions from audiences, with some welcoming the deviation from the typical structure of the series, while others have been disappointed by the lack of action and central love story.
One of the main reasons for the inclusion of the relationship between Frank and Bill is to bring more depth to secondary characters found on the fringes of the game. In the video game, the focus was on Joel and Ellie, but in the TV adaptation, a less linear story was required to showcase the depth and complexity of the world and its characters. This shift in focus was necessary to expand the world of The Last of Us and give viewers a glimpse into the lives of secondary characters. Writer Craig Mazin aimed to take a break from the constant portrayal of the world falling apart and instead show the passage of time between Outbreak Day and the current day of the show. He wanted to create a more introspective and character-driven story, and the relationship between Frank and Bill was the perfect vehicle for this.
"I had an instinct that we would probably need to take a breath as an audience after the first two episodes. I wanted a way to show some of the passage of time between Outbreak Day and the current day of the show without doing more of the same, of the world falling apart."
The Last of Us airs on HBO and HBO Max at 9 p.m. Eastern every Sunday.