Craig Mazin, co-creator and writer of the video-game-turned-series, The Last of Us, explains why episode 3 of the show completely changed its focus to Bill and Frank from Joel and Ellie.
The story focuses on a drug smuggler, Joel Miller who is given the responsibility to escort a teenager, Ellie, to the Fireflies through a post-apocalyptic, zombie-infested United States. Ellie is immune to the infection and humanity’s only hope for an antidote.
Until now, the show usually followed Joel and Ellie’s story, but there was a shift in focus in episode 3. After the two decide to visit Bill and Frank, episode 3 shifts its focus almost entirely to Bill and Frank, two of Joel’s old clients and long-time survivors. Their story takes almost the entirety of episode 3.
Though it was a little unexpected, there’s not much to complain about regarding this shift of focus. Bill and Frank’s love story is one of the most touching aspects of the show and their track explores love, emotion, and romance in a post-apocalyptic world in a unique way.
While speaking to Entertainment Weekly, writer Craig Mazin explains why it was important for the show to shift its focus to Bill and Frank in the latest episode. Here’s what he said –
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.
Craig Mazin
Episode 3 explores Bill and Frank’s relationship like never before, but it shifts its focus from the original narrative of the games. In the games, Bill lives through his time with Frank and meets Joel and Ellie. He saves Joel from a group of the infected, and the three work together to survive. Later, he offers Joel and Ellie a chance to escape.
At this point, Frank is already dead as he gets into a big fight with Bill which forces him to run for the hills. Frank ends up being infected and decides to take his own life. Before dying, he leaves a note proclaiming his deep hatred for Bill.
The show portrayed something totally different from the games when it came to Frank and Bill’s love story. Though Frank is not a new character made for the series, we see him alive on screen for the first time in the show. In the game, Frank is already dead when we are introduced to Bill and Frank.
So, the game did not delve much into Frank as a person as he did not have much to do in the story. However, the series works hard to give the character his own desires, interests and an entire personality which makes him a significant character in the series. Moreover, the show also portrays Bill and Frank’s love story in a more emotional way than the series, where it is hardly explicit.
The Last of Us also avoids making their love story a cliché gay love story, and instead portrays it as a self-containing relationship. It is a realistic depiction of love in the time of an apocalypse, but not merely a tragedy. Overall, it was a much-needed change of focus and also helped the audience see the show in a different light.
About The Last Of Us
The Last of Us is an HBO TV series adaptation of the award-winning video game of the same name originally developed by Naughty Dog.
It is set in 2033, as a fungal infestation plagues humans, turning them feral and blind before finally finishing them off. The series follows Joel’s journey to escort an immune 14-year-old Ellie to the Fireflies, who hope to study her to procure a vaccine.
The cast comprises Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, both famed for their roles in Games of Thrones, along with Gabriel Luna, Merle Dandridge, and Nico Parker. The show was renewed for season 2.
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