Video Game Differences – CinéSéries

The Last of Us: Bill and Frank’s Past

The Last of Us series, adapted from the video game of the same name, has become a real success for HBO. The first two episodes completely convinced the viewers, and the American channel rushed to confirm the second season. It must be said that the creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann (the latter created the game) found a good recipe to please fans of the game and attract their attention. new audience. The show is an extremely faithful adaptation, sometimes offering identical shots but also allowing for notable variations.

Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, The Last of Us © HBO

We could see this with the first part of episode 1, which allows us to see more of Joel and his daughter at the beginning of the epidemic. Or at the end of episode 2 marked by an unexpected “kiss”. But it’s all the more noticeable when the third episode is available from January 30 on Prime Video. An episode dedicated to the game’s minor character, Bill, and his companion Frank. While the episode begins by following the elements of the game (with Joel and Ellie collecting materials, see below), it quickly takes a different direction as we relive the past of these two main characters.

SPOILER WARNING Episode 3

This third chapter of The Last of Us takes us back years. The virus has already taken its toll, and Bill (Nick Offerman), a survivalist, lives alone in his small suburban neighborhood a few miles outside of Boston. The man is well-prepared, with a bunker full of weapons and traps set around to protect against the infected. But her routine is turned upside down when Frank (Mirray Bartlett) falls into one of her traps.

Frank (Murray Bartlett) and Bill (Nick Offerman) — The Last of Us © HBO

Though initially suspicious of him, Bill eventually agrees to greet him and the two men quickly bond. Their relationship will last twenty years. Together they will meet Joel and Tess, with whom they will bargain. And they will also survive from marauders, but not time. In a very romantic moment, Frank dies after his last meal with his companion. Then it will be Frank’s turn, who will leave only a letter for Joel. As such, Ellie never meets this character, which is very different from the video game.

Big difference to the game

After all, initially Joel takes Ellie to Frank for help. If Bill is initially aggressive towards Ellie, after a discussion with Joel, he ends up helping them. As such, his character in the game is very similar to the series, but the story is completely different. First, because in the game we stay in the present. Then even if Bill mentions Frank’s ally, we’ll never see him alive. We find him hanging dead in his old house – because he was probably bitten by an infected.

We understand before Bill’s sadness that this was their relationship. Also, Joel finds a letter (below via The Last of Us Fandom) left by Frank that documents their separation after the conflict:

So, Bill, I doubt you’ll ever find this note, because you’ve always been afraid to come to this part of town. But if that ever happens, know that I hate you. I’m so sick of this shitty town and your neat little life. For me, life is not like that. But it’s above you. And that dirty battery you keep complaining about… I’m tired of it. You are probably right. Trying to leave this city will kill me. But it’s still better than spending another day with you. Good luck. Frank.

Afterwards, the trio leave in a car and fight off a horde of infected before Bill leaves Joel and Ellie on their way. Therefore, Bill does not die in the game, but his relationship with Frank remains much less joyful than in the series. The entire episode of The Last of Us highlights the love between these two men. Their lives are much happier because of it. And although the ending is sad, as Frank says in the episode, “it’s terrible, but it’s romantic.”