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'Heartbreaking and tragic': Fans in awe of Bill & Frank's love story in 'The Last of Us' Episode 3

Fans are absolutely in love with how 'The Last of Us' handled the love story between Bill & Frank, here's how they reacted

There’s no doubt that ‘The Last of Us’ is turning out to be one of the biggest shows in HBO’s history and the first two episodes proved that writing is the most crucial aspect of making a successful TV adaptation of a video game series. However, the third episode took the show to a new level and introduced us to a storyline about love and care. The episode, titled ‘Long Long Time’, deviated from the actual plotline and saw two new characters – Bill & Frank – making an entry in the show. At first, it started as a normal sequence in which a person helped another person in such dangerous times. However, their story soon became an endearing journey of love and affection as the duo started living with each other.

In the video game series, Bill (Nick Offerman) & Frank (Murray Bartlett) are never shown in one frame because Joel finds Frank’s dead body and a letter along with it. It was later revealed that he died while getting attacked by a horde of the infected. But the creators of the HBO series took the liberty of expanding the duo’s love story and made it more enchanting. Their love story started with a passionate kiss and ended with a remarkably touching dinner.

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The endearing storyline left viewers emotional and felt that no other love story has been handled with so much of maturity in recent years before labeling it as one of TV’s greatest modern love stories. The fans also praised Nick Offerman and Murray Bartlett for giving such scintillating performances. One of the fans wrote, “#TheLastofUs Episode 3 is one of the most beautifully devastating encapsulations of love you'll probably ever see in a horror show. Exceptional performances from Nick Offerman & Murray Bartlett. The way their story ultimately makes the Joel & Ellie story even better is brilliant.”

“Bill and Frank should go down as one of TV’s greatest modern love stories. A beautifully written, directed and acted masterpiece. Nick Offerman and Murray Bartlett are sublime,” wrote another fan. “The Last of Us episode 3 is probably one of the best episodes of television I’ve seen in a long time. A beautiful, tender, and real depiction of love. Utterly heartbreaking and tragic. Just incredible stuff. Nick Offerman is brilliant,” tweeted another user.

Another social media user tweeted, “The Last of Us just randomly telling one of the most beautiful and devastating gay love stories I’ve ever seen on television…with Nick Offerman no less.” Another fan noted, “Whoever decided to cast Nick Offerman as Bill needs the biggest raise, this is one of the best castings in all of history. Getting to see his past with Frank warmed my heart as much as it broke it.”

How did ‘The Last of Us’ change Bill & Frank’s love story?

If you have played the game, you know that Frank never fully shows up and he’s just another survivor living in Lincoln with Bill for some time. As the game moves forward, we find out that Frank killed himself after being bitten by a horde of the infected and a single shot sees Frank’s legs dangling from the ceiling.

Meanwhile, the HBO series gave viewers a spectacularly sweet look at how the couple started their relationship and fell in love with each other. From the first kiss to a remarkably emotional final dinner, their journey was filled with several endearing sequences. However, it was the concluding moment of their story that made everyone emotional. They changed how Frank actually died and made things even more relatable for the fans.

'The Last of Us' returns to HBO with a new episode every Sunday at 9 pm EST.