And then there’s me who sheds a tear (ok… many tears) for both. Man, almost no shows make me cry but in the last of us i’m bawling like every other episode
The change of Bill’s character into what he was in the show was an absolutely genius and beautiful decision. I’ve heard that, in the game, Bill is a heartbroken, bitter man, and it’s implied that he and Frank had a tragic falling out. It was a cautionary tale, warning what could happen to Joel if he gave into his resentment and bitterness. Instead, Bill in the show is an aspirational character, showing what Joel could become if he holds onto the people he loves and cares for.
I watched this with my future husband and cried major tears. I'd never seen two men grow old together on TV or in a movie. It felt revolutionary to see something so beautiful and yet so simple to depict. It's now my favorite hour of television I've ever watched.
I'm so happy you had an opportunity to experience this with your partner and I hope more content is made that better represents many different people out there
William, I’m a straight married mom and I was so moved and so happy to see a story this beautiful on such a major show. It didn’t feel forced, or tokenized like many do. So glad you got to experience it too! Just know there’s millions of us out here who see the beauty in a gay relationship ❤ just as any other
@@tianna1116 for me and my family we felt differently, I'm glad theres gay representation it makes my life much easier, but the start seems very forced and even made me a gay guy uncomfortable.
Glad you had you're therapy session, but to everyone else, episode 3 was garbage. Not because they were gay, but because the showrunners stole an entire episode of a TV show to advertise gay rights, which has nothing to do with the last of us, here me out: Are we going to ignore the fact that the characters were killed off before they got to help Joel and Ellie, unlike the game? That the ENTIRE episode was just made into a completely detached story just so that the gay couple could have their Romeo and Juliet story? I fully support gay rights, but to throw a big wrench into the series just to show a happy gay couple? Cults do this shit. Nazis did this shit. Inserting propaganda into every single aspect of life. They have to advertise their ideology in everything. It's so sad to see what should be a fully justified civil rights movement become a disgusting cult-like group think.
Your point at 4:30 about how the Last of Us is trying to show that violence is not inconsequential is such a well articulated way to tell its message, especially in the second game
@@zxeninn I don't think they tried to make her likeable at all. You're not gonna like somebody who does what she does at game start. But they do try to make you see her point of view. You don't have to like Abby, but if you can empathize with the position she's in, having lost her father, that's enough.
I'm a heterosexual cis male and this was the most beautiful and moving episode of television I've ever seen. Reminds me of the first scenes in Pixar's Up introducing Carl and Ellie's relationship.
@@lullaby218 Today you're angry about "cis" as an adjective. 20-30 years ago people were angry about "straight" as an adjective. We now know that their anger was rooted in homophobia. Food for thought
@Youri van Geldrop , to help emphasize that though I'm not a gay man, I truly appreciated seeing and experiencing the loving relationship that developed between Bill and Frank.
Apparently the wine that bill and frank shared at there first, and last dinner is a real wine. And it tastes like strawberry’s. That detail hit me like an emotional bus
I’m a straight man, but i’ll be damned if this episode didn’t do some major heavy lifting. It so perfectly encapsulated what true love means, what it looks like, and with characters who were gay. This isn’t something that a majority of people can relate to, the fact that they are gay. But the love, the love these two men shared, and how they cared for each other, and decided to leave their lives together and go into the night, quietly, with each other on their literal death bed… I actually was touched, it made me think of my wife, and how when we get older, how will we take care of each other… fuck, this was such a beautiful work of art.
I’m a straight cis male and I can say I haven’t been moved by depictions of love on TV since maybe Up. Honestly, what the first 10 minutes of Up did for Pixar fans this entire hour did for the gay community and somehow it was able to convincingly tell a beautiful story in that entire span of time. I am proud to say I got to experience that episode the day it came out and that I truly loved it. Me and my girlfriend were pretty much bawling for some parts of it. It really shows the transcendence of human love.
the framing of that kiss in the scene of the strawberrys made me cry. I cant quite put my finger on what is it, but it is just such a beautiful piece of art. I can relate to the complain about the lack of action in the chapter, but man, they found a very bold way of using Bill's character from the game while keeping the narrative objective of the character fully intact. This to me screams real thoughtfulness from the showrunners
It wouldn’t have worked if it was heterosexual either though. Being gay isn’t a disposable part of these characters, it informs parts of their lives that wouldn’t be the same or as impactful if they were straight
@@RJam56 the story begins in 2003 america, where homosexuality was barely tolerated. the fact that bill is gay adds to his sense of isolation from the world around him and why he is so withdrawn from others. frank allowing bill to accept this side of himself, and telling him that his sexuality, as well as his appreciation for what is Non Masculine, is not a flaw or incongruous with the rest of who he is, is part of what makes their love story so powerful. it wouldn't have been as meaningful if they were straight. there's plenty of stories about women reaching out and through to loner men with a chip on his shoulder. but very, very few stories about gay men saving each other through their relationship.
That beautiful golden hour lighting definitely helps, but I just love the giggle that escapes Bill as he tastes strawberries for the first time in years.
As someone who’s partner also has an incurable disease (Cystic Fibrosis), Episode 3 was an absolute gut punch for me. While I may not understand what being gay or being in an apocalypse together is like, I know how Bill and his love felt all too well. I was never scared of the future before, but now having found the person I want to spend my life with, there’s a lot of fear there. Taking care of and protecting her (and someday our family) is my purpose, and the life expectancy of someone with Cystic Fibrosis is only around 45 years. I can’t even begin to bare the thought of having to live on in a world without her. I know by the time we get there we’ll likely have children that will depend on me to carry on, and I hope I’ll find the strength to do that. But if that weren’t the case, I understand Bill’s decision completely. I’m often terrified of what the future will hold, but despite that I’d rather spend the time I do have with the most wonderful person I’ve ever met, than spend multiple lifetimes with anyone else. That will make me fulfilled. That episode hit me deeper than perhaps any other piece of media ever has, and reminded me that despite what might come, our love is such a beautiful thing
Im in the same boat as you. I love my partner so much that even though she probably wont be with me for half of my life it is better than living my entire life with someone else. But don't forget that after they are gone you don't have to lose yourself too. You are your own important person and even though they may be a piece of you, you can grow from it and become and even better person than before.
🥲🥲🥲 God damn I'm blubbering like a baby. I wrote a story once and this was the exact message. So freaking beautiful. Though me and my husband are not sick with a terminal illness, I would feel this exact same way. How lucky we are to have found such a love.
I tried so hard not to bawl my eyes out when Frank was explaining how to kill him to Bill because I was watching it with my dad. I didn't want to bawl my eyes out like a baby with my dad there (I'm 23 years old btw so you know, a little embarrassing). But I could not help it. I wound up bawling. What's even better though, is that once I bawled my eyes out, my dad started to cry too. He was holding back tears around me too. The whole episode was such an amazing piece of art On a side note as well: I love the change of Bill and Frank in the show compared to the game. In the game their love ended horribly. They hated each other in the end and Frank wound up killing himself because he got bit trying to find his own way. In the game it was sad, but it was all of 5 minutes max we get realizing Bill was gay and that his love ended bad. It was a throw away fact that I even forgot about after all these years. I love that they decided to flesh out Bill and Frank and that they gave them a better ending. This was such a win for the gay community and I love this story for Bill and Frank for the game rather than what was done in the game
Episode 3 was so emotional and beautiful, they did excellent storytelling. This was also one of a very few times that "manly men" fell in love and they weren't... you know what I mean. I of course don't have anything to femme gays or LGBTQ community people in general but I'm tired of lesbians being only shown as masculine, strong, short haired tomboys, and gay men as this feminine, skinny boys going out in crop tops - as people we come in all shapes and sizes and representation in this episode was flawless, it just shows that we all need love, no matter who and how we love, no matter the circumstances.
Yes, the community is diverse, but unfortunately the impact of homophobia and oppression isn't always. How much of Bill is him naturally being a manly man and how much is him in a state of repression? He wouldn't allow himself to understand the value and beauty of things like flowers until Frank taught him and brought his walls down.
@@1bwash that's actually great point but it shows that if we are around good people we are allowing ourselves to enjoy things that society "isn't allowing" us to do
In the anime review community, there's this unwritten rule called the "Rule of 3." It means you need to watch at least three episodes before reviewing anything. Why? Because you can generally tell if an anime is going in a good direction for the season by looking at those first three episodes. The third episode is also where people can usually judge if the time invested will be equivalent to the reward gained based on deduction. This "Rule of Three" is, however, only applicable to seasonal anime with a dozen or two dozen episodes. I didn't put it together that this rule can also be applied to seasonal live action shows as well until now! Thanks for the insight!
@@octav1o141 I mean if you aren't invested by the third hour your not going to really get farther or interested at that point. You can't shove a object in front of someone and expect them to like it ten minutes later if they didn't like it in the first minute. Although for me the rule first better if the show is one hour long or 30 minutes long. If it's an hour long then you got that pilot to get me in the door. If it's 30 minutes then you got 90 minutes to convince me. It's like a film at that point, if you finish watching a film and they ask if you want a sequel, would you watch it after that film or not.
Bill and Frank made me sob like a little baby. It's so touching that in an apocalypse, where everyone is dying, two people can find love and grow old together. It's beautiful.
Episode 3 just came out of nowhere. It blew my mind. I love it when shows branch off for like an episode or two that mildy are connected to the main story and and characters.
I think it's really important to recognize that the risks taken here don't betray the existing story and lore. These risks reside in the respect and elaboration of the existing world and its characters. So many show runners these days think the risk they should take is to cheaply subvert expectations by disregarding the original story. TLOU writers are showing the industry how to move forward with adaptations successfully.
This comment should be pinned. It worked because these characters were already confirmed to be partners in the game, and the show simply elaborated and altered the way their destiny ended. It gave more of a closure, versus the grim way we were introduced to the characters in the game.
I've absolutely been adoring all of your tlou video essays, all the effort must've taken some time due to how well made all of them are, I can't wait for more!
I did too and at the beginning of episode four when Joel and Ellie left the neighborhood in bill’s truck the reason is when they left the neighborhood is now completely abandoned no more can be done and it will taken over by nature
what I liked about that episode is that gay relationship makes contrasts more clearer. First of the contrast of surviving living in this world, of the couple vs all these para military organisations. And by having a homosexual realtionship the contrast of the characters Frank and Bill was even clearer and not biased by classic relationship rolemodels.
And just in general, relationships can help balance you out and make you better. The trope of like badass apocalypse survival dude is something we've seen play out a million times before. It's just amazing to twist that and have a character introduced into that dynamic showing that finding love and planting flowers in this situation is just as badass and radical.
Episode 3 is a masterpiece and I wish we could get more stories as immaculate as the one we got there. Overall, TLOU is a fucking phenomenal series and I adore it-can’t wait to see every episode!
i was ugly crying by the end of this episode, particularly at their final dinner scene. i absolutely love how they expanded on bill and frank vs what they were in the game. the whole show has been such a breath of fresh air for a story i already knew almost inside and out already from playing but what they've done so far is magnificent and this episode speaks volumes of that. (that's not the only good one of course, my favorite episode is 5 and i absolutely loved riley's)
And it would've been rated even higher if it wasn't review bombed. I love this show so much, adaptation is amazing, it's all done with love. It gripped me and I'm obsessed, even more then game
Beautifully articulated as usual, not only did the last of us give us this enthralling episode, but it lead us to your channel ! Grateful for both, keep the stellar content coming 🙏
The literal ONLY thing I would change is the pace. It feels so fast and some of my favorite scenes are when Joel and Ellie are just traveling, but those scenes only last a few minutes until they meet other people or a massive flashback happens. It's great those flashbacks are really good, but I like the slower pace of their alone moments
I love how well you articulate things. You definitely have a unique way of going about discussing the things and subjects related to this show. You’re one of the first people I’ve seen to actually use data in a video essay, and I appreciate you not hesitating to tackle the underlying politics around episode 3’s reception. Please, keep up these break downs.
Great point! I was thinking the other day about the great problem they have to solve by making the tv adaptation. They have to entertain those who never played the games and still make it enjoyable for those who did. I think this forced them to take risks and be unpredictable in a way. At this point I don't know which parts will be 1:1 replications of the game or more background giving special pieces that enhance the perspective in the subject of this series. What a great show!
i rlly wanted to see bill and ellie arguing and the upside down shooting scene, but i loved this episode so much and i dont think they could have done it better
Honestly the 3rd episode of the last of us is the only time I’ve ever cried, I haven’t watched the full video yet but I’m excited for it. Also spoiler alert, imma try to go down far enough that you’ll have to press read more but just note you’ve been warned. My grandma died of cancer in multiple places and we saw her decay, I don’t know If Frank had cancer or what. But when he got in the wheelchair and decided he and bill would kill themselves i genuinely sobbed, after seeing that in my life to see someone get somewhat of a happy ending and go out the way they chose to just hit me so hard. Genuinely one of the best episodes of TV ever made.
i thought this was gonna be a cute review of how bill took a risk on frank by helping him and ended up in a cute long loving relationship for maybe it was allusion to that too but this was a great video!!
No joke. The number of “I dun wanna see no homos, grrrr” type comments I’ve seen that either don’t know or are in severe denial about the fact Ellie is also gay is hilarious. A lot of tLou fans became beyond exhausting before P2 even came out so when season 2 reminds them that Ellie doesn’t want to fuck them I imagine it’ll be a shitstorm again
I think the people (mostly straight men) who complain about Bill and Frank being gay don't mind the fact that Ellie is. This is mostly because those same people are a lot more comfortable with gay women due to the sexualization of Lesbians and Women in general.
@@th0ck OR MAYBE ELLIE DIDNT FUCK WITH A WOMAN ON SCREEN, atleast yet ?!?!!??! U leftists are so delusional. Persnonally i skipped whole episode after seeing them kissing, it almost made me puke.
I love the show so much, the first game too, and I'm glad they went more in depth to Bill's personal life with Frank in the show. We didn't get much info from the game when Joel and Ellie first met Bill, but there were clues, Joel mentions Frank in a conversation in Bill's bunker, then Ellie swipes an adult magazine catered towards men interested in other men. (a lot to say instead of just saying what it was but it's youtube yk) There were hints to Bill and Frank's relationship in the game but it was never explored, I'm very glad we got to see them grow old together and see an alternate take on what would've happened towards the end of Franks life.
There were ZERO hints. Calling someone your partner, especially in the apocalypse is hardly calling them your lover. Tha magazine was a one off, they just wanted to put some comedy in the game. I think they read WAYYYYYYYYYYY too hard into it.
Pey, this was an amazing video. The way you presented and edited the video was perfect. How you showed the graphs and how you added the big “wow” effect once you added episode 3 into the mix, was genius. I’m very glad I stumbled upon your video and I hope you continue making videos, as they’re very good. P.S. After watching the video I saw your name and profile icon and you are someone who I’ve played video games with in the past, and I just wanted to say hello, and that I’m happy your videos are doing well. (Well enough for me to click on it) Keep it up, Pey. You rock. -mercy
Think my favourite episodes are 4 and 6, 4 cause it really progressed joel and ellie's relationship and that catharsis when joel finally laughs is golden and 6 because the whole episode is a rollercoaster of upsetting and heartwarming moments. I wouldn't say any of the episodes i'd rate below 4/5 ⭐️
I generally think that every change the adaptation has made, every risk it took, elevated it and was borderline necessary for it to succeed in the new medium. The Last Of Us's core gameplay loop of stealth -> loot -> kill does not work as a show. They needed to bring the background elements of the game to the forefront, and those elements needed to be expanded on. Playing as the main character in the game does a lot of heavy lifting. In particular, playing through the events of the first episode hits very, very hard. Without the free buy-in of playing as the main character, they needed to push the envelope. But they needed to do it without destroying the delicately crafted story that the game pulled off. At the time, The Last Of Us told a very risky story for a video game. The show needed to do the same. So far, they have understood the assignment. They knew what made the story great and what _needed_ to change for the new medium. It's a masterclass on adaptation.
I think that some people as fans of the game, may not like the departure from the game’s narrative. The lesson Bill serves to teach is still there, but it’s been inverted from the game Bill. It’s about what Joel and Ellie can strive toward. Which ties nicely into a more hopeful message than a miserable one. More impressively, Bill still felt like the curmudgeonly ass that he did in the game, and despite that, his relationship was far more compelling of a narrative. Especially since so much of the narrative is tragic.
I mean the change was more making him a point of view character. Frank left him in the game, and that relationship ended in bitterness. But the people mad aren't mad about that. They're mad because they SHOWED what was described in dialogue and letters in the game. Because they're homophobic.
They hit elements for everyone and hit it out of the park. I saw people on all spectrums love it. It's like te opposite of modern storytelling. No preaching, just story. Anyone could vibe on the love story.
So glad your videos and your channel have been recommended and been doing so well. I love the way you speak, edit, and review. As someone who loves to study media and reception (and also loves TLoU), your videos kind of encapsulate all of my inner dialogue into a short, well-edited recap. I hope you can continue to reviewing other media as well even after this show is done. Keep up the great content!
I have a couple videos planned after the last of us finishes and I wrap up my thoughts on it! However, I'm trying to focus on the last of us while its airing so my channel is a bit more consistent. I love that you're interested in other media analysis and I hope to see you around!
I've been watching some of your videos the last couple weeks and really enjoying them. Then, I looked at your name and realized you were Pey the Musician that I'd seen on Atrioc's streams! Awesome to see you do these other videos as well. You're very talented and I think you've found a bit of an identity with these short form examinations of an aspect of one episode. Can't wait for more!
First of all, episode 3 was not a dramatic change in the LORE, it was a dramatic change in point of view characters. The major lore change is that Frank leaves Bill before Joel and Ellie arrive, Joel had yet to meet Frank, and only Frank dies. But their relationship happened in the lore. It just ended in bitterness rather than fatalistic acceptance. . Second, I'll give my criticisms of it: (1) Bill standing like an idiot in the street shooting the marauders. (2) The song at the emotional climax. I LOOOVE that song. But I know it so well it took me right out of immersion for a split second. They could have done their own melancholy song. . Otherwise, this was an incredible episode.
In the game you never get to meet Frank. You find him hanging from the ceiling, dead. He killed himself before becoming infected fully. You find out that Bill and Frank are partners when Bill finds the body and cuts it down and tells you about him. and also through letters you see journaled by Bill and the last letter left by Frank. (Just commenting this for anyone who thinks bill and Frank weren’t confirmed partners in the game- they were)
My only problem with Ep3 was that it felt like it came out of nowhere. The episode itself was very well done, but it was like whiplash going from ep1 and ep2 to it. I'm guessing it came down to budget, but I think it would have been a better ep4, with something to slow things down happening in ep3.
Someone already pointed this out but that love between Bill and Frank was just like that married couple from Pixar's UP. Both of which as well ended up in me drowning in tissues and tears.
I also think they took a risk rewriting Bill's character as heavily as they did. As a fan of the game I disliked TV series Bill when the episode dropped because he no longer represented a dystopian version of what Joel could end up like if he refuses attachment to anyone else. Game Bill is a brilliant mirror of Joel and his last line in response to Joel praising Ellie being "You ain't gonna make it" is great foreshadowing in my opinion. However, as the show went on and the nuances in TV series Joel's character differed more from the game, I realized that in a way it's still the same Bill. TV series Bill instead represents a Utopian version of Joel and shows what life can be like if he finds something to live for. It's a simple difference: Game Bill chooses that caring for someone only gets you killed while TV Bill chooses the opposite. In the end, they both mirror Joel's character equally well but in opposite directions.
As someone who knows the first game really well, I actually enjoyed episode three's change. In my opinion it makes for a better TV show story (especially with in the time frame they had for season one). It provided a unique opportunity to showcase diversity, something touched on well in this video. Annd, it allowed a game fan like me to still be genuinely surprised and on edge. Because i could foresee where episode three was going. So by making an hour long episode with the diversity showcased more than the game counter part, and an opportunity to emotionally move previous fans, I am happy with this decision!
Great TV is often divisive. If there was nothing to disagree about the whole thing would be forgotten in days. Whereas, this show will be getting talked about for decades. Every production getting made from now on will be influenced by it, it will be parodied, talked about in classes, taught to students, and imitated to some degree. So by any measure it has changed the landscape of TV. Permanently. Just like hunger games did, just like breaking bad did, Jaws, shindlers list, Alien, 2001 a space oddity, Blade Runner, and others.
I like how Arcane approached violence. Even in the most Fan service-y fight scenes, it is always brought it back down, quite abruptly. You are always reminded that violence is a bad thing.
Spot on analysis. I agree the show isn't perfect (hardly any show is, even the ones I consider among the greatest ever), but the risks it takes allow it to reap such higher rewards than it otherwise would have. They could have easily adapted it as the game showed it to the T, but they instead chose to make it a show that could stand on its own legs and took additional risks. Mad respect for it
I think the changes from what happened in the video game vs what happened in the show for the relationship of Bill and Frank was a wise move. It would have been a waste of an episode to have Ellie, Joel, and Bill hunt battery parts for a truck only to find out that Frank had ditched Bill, stole the Battery parts but was bitten, then is found hanging in the house that has the truck. Not only would it have made their characters even less impactful and meaningful to the viewers but it also just makes the story even more depressing. Episode 3 shows that even in the worst situations, humans can choose how they treat each other and how to love each other. It was an amazing change to a very small part of the game that the show made much more meaningful.
I was a bit uncomfortable only because it was different. Had it been 2 sexy lesbians, opinions surely would have been different. I don’t like the double standards. This was a beautiful scene, it doesn’t matter what you believe.
The episode is a massive risk. In a rewatch, you can skip episode 3 entirely, since they pick up a car, and a gun for Ellie. Overall the impact of the episode is inconsequencial. However (mostly) everyone and their mother who watched the episode, consider it one of the best ever.
First of all, I love your analyses of this show. I know there are many recappers of shows like this, but your perspective is different and dare I say it -- smarter and more insightful than most. My husband of 30 years died nearly a decade ago and Ep3 wrecked me for weeks. The song played in my head over and over and over. It was the most perfect TV episode since the series finale of "Six Feet Under." I think those who didn't like the episode were either uncomfortable with the gay subject matter (probably a majority) or "purists" who didn't like that it wasn't verbatim from the game, or "The Walking Dead" watchers who were upset at "no zombies". I was not familiar with the game so for me it stood on its own merits.
I'm glad to hear the episode resonated so much for you. I had some complicated things going on in my life and when I watched this episode I didn't cry, I sobbed
What's wild to me is that it is by definition a filler episode. If you skipped this episode you wouldn't miss anything in the main narrative at it's most charitable it can be defined with a single line, "a family lived here, they died, Joel gets their supplies." What's amazing though is that it is without a doubt my favorite episode. My wife and I had tears watching it. I'm only concerned it's going to teach the lesson that tangents are always worthwhile and they fall into a similar trap walking dead fell into with the filler episodes.
The quality of these videos are honestly so amazing. I’m a massive imagine dragons and TLOU fan, so to see these compared side by side had me sold. Love how HBO have changed things, a carbon copy of the game would’ve been a solid show, but I’m loving all the new adaptions in their own ways.
Behind the perfection of what episode 6 was and insanity in 5, episode 3 is there for me. Its symbolic and deep and especially tells an absolutely beautiful story. Such a phenomenal episode. HOWEVER, I do think the episode was unnecessary. There wasnt much it had to do with the main story with Joel and Ellie. Its great to expand the lore and world of TLou but it just seems redundant especially after the following episodes where we didn't get much call back. The episodes introduced the characters and left with both of them dead. Not to say the characters werent developed enough cause they were and done so in a single episode. What Bill and Frank's story did for our main protagonists (car and gun?) couldve been explained in 30 seconds and we would have had more time with Joel and Ellie. In no way is negative opinions and thoughts on the episode equate to homophobia. if it was Bill and a girl the episode would've felt just as redundant and unnecessary to the overall plot to Joel and Ellie's survival. Its already so close to the end and I just wish we got just a little bit more time with our characters developing and interacting with each other; there was a 2-3 month jump between episode 5 and 6 and I guess im just supposed to assume Joel and Ellie got more attached instead of seeing it. In other words: Episode 3 was a beautiful masterpiece that I dont think will be able to be matched, but that masterpiece was put in somewhere it doesnt fit.
For what it's worth, I loved the deviation that the 3rd episode took. I've played both games numerous times, so seeing a different approach to what I was expecting was really quite nice. I also liked that the relationship between Bill and Frank was given adequate time to actually be fleshed out and explored, rather than casually mentioned off-hand like it was in the game. My only gripe with the episode is really more to do with how I view sexuality in general. I'm acespec, so when I see movies, TV shows, and stories use sex or romance as a way of driving home the "value" of an interpersonal relationship between two people, it really just sorta alienates me. To be honest I found most of the episode to be awkward to watch, but I recognize that's purely my own interpretation of sexual expression and how I struggle to relate to it. I still appreciate the episode for what it did --- show a relationship between two people of this specific archetype, something previously never done before to such critical acclaim. Personally, I am a bigger fan of "friendship" love. For example, The Shawshank Redemption is one of my favorite "love" stories of all time. It's not romance, it's about two guys who meet each other in prison, spend decades together, and eventually find each other on the outside as free men and just live out the rest of their lives having each other at their side. I think the quote from Red really summarizes exactly what I love so much about the movie: "And when they fly away, the part of you that knows it was a sin to lock them up DOES rejoice. But still, the place you live in is that much more drab and empty that they're gone. I guess I just miss my friend." No sex, no romance, but instead it is a very pure depiction of love. I'm not trying to suggest that any indication of sex or romance automatically makes it "impure", it just makes it very difficult for me to relate to. I don't see people like that. I do however love my friends, I've cried over them, I've touched their hearts in ways I never could have imagined. That is something that resonates very strongly with me. So when I see a movie or a TV show with these implied sex scenes sprinkled in, it just really takes me out of resonating with those characters and the things they experience. I can't relate to it. This is the same reason why I absolutely LOVED Violet Evergarden, the series and the movies, right up until the last 15 or so minutes of the final film. The entire story revolves around watching Violet explore her emotions and figure herself out. I always knew it was a "romance" story but I suspected it was in that genre because we are watching Violet experience these types of feelings and emotions vicariously --- she's writing letters expressing love and affection and all sorts of different feelings for people she doesn't even know. She also had a role model in her life who she did love, although she did not know how to describe that feeling. And then in the last 15 minutes of the final film, she reconnects with that role model, and it's suddenly a romantic relationship. It instantly made me feel super disconnected from Violet as a character. I related to Violet on tons of levels, particularly with not knowing how to relate to or how to understand these things so commonly expressed by other people, yet trying very hard to understand them herself and find her own definition of them, and then this one little thing is sprinkled in turning it into a "happily ever after" love story. It just immediately pulled me away from relating to her. Anyway, sorry for the long tangent. I guess what I'm trying to say is, I do like the episode for what it did. However, I just could not relate to it in any way at all. I know I am an edge case. I would however really like to see stories that revolve more around platonic love, rather than sexual/romantic love. The vibe I get from a lot of fictional media that portrays loving relationships is that, if you aren't having sex with someone, then it's love that isn't worth experiencing. Which just isn't true.
Familiar with your content after Joel featured you in his end of the year wrap up. From what I've seen, I've really enjoyed your stuff! Like your Collab with Trent or animations
We have one episode left and the “risk taking” has done a real number on the pacing and character building I truly loved the game and it’s is still a game I go back to a bit to regularly so having a show that I show my parents or other people who have and will not play the game I was excited just for the “risk taking” to leave them bored at times and my mom asked the realest question ever last week, 8 episodes in btw “where are the zombies” and it’s because they chose to take these risks and jam i necessary characters like Kathleen down our throat and prioritizing character building for characters that are literally only contained in one episode and for me my biggest complaint is they havent actually used any of the music that’s so synonymous with the game except in the intro theme and end credits last episode had the most egregious absence of music in the David death scene but every talks so glowingly about episode 3 but what was missing from that episode was Joel Ellie and bill the bickering between bill and Ellie and the very beginnings of Joel getting closer with Ellie and sticking up for her to bill but instead the show runner wants to focus on so many other relationships other than the most important one the one that the quality of the series depends on and with the last episode around the corner I have my doubts about the ending flooring all the new people that didn’t play the game
![Run Away - Tzuyu(TWICE) ツウィ 쯔위 [Music Bank] | KBS WORLD TV 240906](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/KnHNNyAYiu0/mqdefault.jpg)
Half the viewers shed a tear for Bill and Frank. The other half shed a tear for Henry and Sam. It’s damn hard to create that dynamic in a tv show
And then there’s me who sheds a tear (ok… many tears) for both. Man, almost no shows make me cry but in the last of us i’m bawling like every other episode
Then there are saps like me that cry during both deaths.
And there's people like me who never shed any tears.
Imagine not bawling your eyes out at both these episodes
Idk man I didn’t cry at Henry and Sam because it was so shocking, but they were building up to it for an hour in episode 3 ok 😭😭😭
The change of Bill’s character into what he was in the show was an absolutely genius and beautiful decision.
I’ve heard that, in the game, Bill is a heartbroken, bitter man, and it’s implied that he and Frank had a tragic falling out. It was a cautionary tale, warning what could happen to Joel if he gave into his resentment and bitterness.
Instead, Bill in the show is an aspirational character, showing what Joel could become if he holds onto the people he loves and cares for.
oh this!! this!!!!
I watched this with my future husband and cried major tears. I'd never seen two men grow old together on TV or in a movie. It felt revolutionary to see something so beautiful and yet so simple to depict. It's now my favorite hour of television I've ever watched.
I'm so happy you had an opportunity to experience this with your partner and I hope more content is made that better represents many different people out there
William, I’m a straight married mom and I was so moved and so happy to see a story this beautiful on such a major show. It didn’t feel forced, or tokenized like many do. So glad you got to experience it too! Just know there’s millions of us out here who see the beauty in a gay relationship ❤ just as any other
@@tianna1116 for me and my family we felt differently, I'm glad theres gay representation it makes my life much easier, but the start seems very forced and even made me a gay guy uncomfortable.
😂😂😂you must not watch a lot of movies
Glad you had you're therapy session, but to everyone else, episode 3 was garbage. Not because they were gay, but because the showrunners stole an entire episode of a TV show to advertise gay rights, which has nothing to do with the last of us, here me out:
Are we going to ignore the fact that the characters were killed off before they got to help Joel and Ellie, unlike the game? That the ENTIRE episode was just made into a completely detached story just so that the gay couple could have their Romeo and Juliet story? I fully support gay rights, but to throw a big wrench into the series just to show a happy gay couple? Cults do this shit. Nazis did this shit. Inserting propaganda into every single aspect of life. They have to advertise their ideology in everything. It's so sad to see what should be a fully justified civil rights movement become a disgusting cult-like group think.
Your point at 4:30 about how the Last of Us is trying to show that violence is not inconsequential is such a well articulated way to tell its message, especially in the second game
Tlou 2 sucked tho
@@youlaughyouphill842 I feel like the main thing that sucked about it was not that Joel died, but HOW he died.
@@swanihilator6748 and the pacing and the fact that abbys story wasnt rlly interesting to most people and they tried to hard to make her likeable
The second game is far too preachy about its message while the first game and even this series managed to explore it's themes with far more subtlety
@@zxeninn I don't think they tried to make her likeable at all. You're not gonna like somebody who does what she does at game start. But they do try to make you see her point of view. You don't have to like Abby, but if you can empathize with the position she's in, having lost her father, that's enough.
I'm a heterosexual cis male and this was the most beautiful and moving episode of television I've ever seen. Reminds me of the first scenes in Pixar's Up introducing Carl and Ellie's relationship.
You mean you're just a man. The word cis offens me as a woman woman.
@@lullaby218 Today you're angry about "cis" as an adjective. 20-30 years ago people were angry about "straight" as an adjective. We now know that their anger was rooted in homophobia. Food for thought
@@lullaby218 as a cis woman, chill ❤️
How is your gender relevant to mention when making your point.
@Youri van Geldrop , to help emphasize that though I'm not a gay man, I truly appreciated seeing and experiencing the loving relationship that developed between Bill and Frank.
Apparently the wine that bill and frank shared at there first, and last dinner is a real wine. And it tastes like strawberry’s. That detail hit me like an emotional bus
I did not know that, but it is a neat fact especially when frank does surprise Bill with actual strawberries.
I’m a straight man, but i’ll be damned if this episode didn’t do some major heavy lifting. It so perfectly encapsulated what true love means, what it looks like, and with characters who were gay. This isn’t something that a majority of people can relate to, the fact that they are gay. But the love, the love these two men shared, and how they cared for each other, and decided to leave their lives together and go into the night, quietly, with each other on their literal death bed… I actually was touched, it made me think of my wife, and how when we get older, how will we take care of each other… fuck, this was such a beautiful work of art.
I’m a straight cis male and I can say I haven’t been moved by depictions of love on TV since maybe Up. Honestly, what the first 10 minutes of Up did for Pixar fans this entire hour did for the gay community and somehow it was able to convincingly tell a beautiful story in that entire span of time. I am proud to say I got to experience that episode the day it came out and that I truly loved it.
Me and my girlfriend were pretty much bawling for some parts of it. It really shows the transcendence of human love.
doesn’t change the fact that its woke garbage made to shove lgbt bs down our throats
the framing of that kiss in the scene of the strawberrys made me cry. I cant quite put my finger on what is it, but it is just such a beautiful piece of art. I can relate to the complain about the lack of action in the chapter, but man, they found a very bold way of using Bill's character from the game while keeping the narrative objective of the character fully intact. This to me screams real thoughtfulness from the showrunners
yes the game is great in its own way but I really didn't like how bill died there,in the show their death was much warmer
I think if the relationship in episode 3 was heterosexual, then people wouldn’t have given as much praise and attention, I guarantee you.
It wouldn’t have worked if it was heterosexual either though. Being gay isn’t a disposable part of these characters, it informs parts of their lives that wouldn’t be the same or as impactful if they were straight
@@RJam56 the story begins in 2003 america, where homosexuality was barely tolerated. the fact that bill is gay adds to his sense of isolation from the world around him and why he is so withdrawn from others. frank allowing bill to accept this side of himself, and telling him that his sexuality, as well as his appreciation for what is Non Masculine, is not a flaw or incongruous with the rest of who he is, is part of what makes their love story so powerful. it wouldn't have been as meaningful if they were straight. there's plenty of stories about women reaching out and through to loner men with a chip on his shoulder. but very, very few stories about gay men saving each other through their relationship.
That beautiful golden hour lighting definitely helps, but I just love the giggle that escapes Bill as he tastes strawberries for the first time in years.
As someone who’s partner also has an incurable disease (Cystic Fibrosis), Episode 3 was an absolute gut punch for me. While I may not understand what being gay or being in an apocalypse together is like, I know how Bill and his love felt all too well. I was never scared of the future before, but now having found the person I want to spend my life with, there’s a lot of fear there. Taking care of and protecting her (and someday our family) is my purpose, and the life expectancy of someone with Cystic Fibrosis is only around 45 years. I can’t even begin to bare the thought of having to live on in a world without her. I know by the time we get there we’ll likely have children that will depend on me to carry on, and I hope I’ll find the strength to do that. But if that weren’t the case, I understand Bill’s decision completely. I’m often terrified of what the future will hold, but despite that I’d rather spend the time I do have with the most wonderful person I’ve ever met, than spend multiple lifetimes with anyone else. That will make me fulfilled. That episode hit me deeper than perhaps any other piece of media ever has, and reminded me that despite what might come, our love is such a beautiful thing
Im in the same boat as you. I love my partner so much that even though she probably wont be with me for half of my life it is better than living my entire life with someone else. But don't forget that after they are gone you don't have to lose yourself too. You are your own important person and even though they may be a piece of you, you can grow from it and become and even better person than before.
🥲🥲🥲 God damn I'm blubbering like a baby.
I wrote a story once and this was the exact message. So freaking beautiful.
Though me and my husband are not sick with a terminal illness, I would feel this exact same way. How lucky we are to have found such a love.
Best of luck dude
@@FISHSTlCKS Hope you and your partner have the longest time possible together
I have never cried during an episode of a series, but this got me crying. Simply magnificent.
I was bawling not balling
@@Zinjo real
I’ve cried every single episode😭
that’s kind of weird.
how old are you if you don’t mind answering
I am younger ig that’s why
I tried so hard not to bawl my eyes out when Frank was explaining how to kill him to Bill because I was watching it with my dad. I didn't want to bawl my eyes out like a baby with my dad there (I'm 23 years old btw so you know, a little embarrassing). But I could not help it. I wound up bawling. What's even better though, is that once I bawled my eyes out, my dad started to cry too. He was holding back tears around me too. The whole episode was such an amazing piece of art
On a side note as well: I love the change of Bill and Frank in the show compared to the game. In the game their love ended horribly. They hated each other in the end and Frank wound up killing himself because he got bit trying to find his own way. In the game it was sad, but it was all of 5 minutes max we get realizing Bill was gay and that his love ended bad. It was a throw away fact that I even forgot about after all these years. I love that they decided to flesh out Bill and Frank and that they gave them a better ending. This was such a win for the gay community and I love this story for Bill and Frank for the game rather than what was done in the game
Episode 3 was so emotional and beautiful, they did excellent storytelling. This was also one of a very few times that "manly men" fell in love and they weren't... you know what I mean. I of course don't have anything to femme gays or LGBTQ community people in general but I'm tired of lesbians being only shown as masculine, strong, short haired tomboys, and gay men as this feminine, skinny boys going out in crop tops - as people we come in all shapes and sizes and representation in this episode was flawless, it just shows that we all need love, no matter who and how we love, no matter the circumstances.
Yes, the community is diverse, but unfortunately the impact of homophobia and oppression isn't always. How much of Bill is him naturally being a manly man and how much is him in a state of repression? He wouldn't allow himself to understand the value and beauty of things like flowers until Frank taught him and brought his walls down.
@@1bwash that's actually great point but it shows that if we are around good people we are allowing ourselves to enjoy things that society "isn't allowing" us to do
In the anime review community, there's this unwritten rule called the "Rule of 3."
It means you need to watch at least three episodes before reviewing anything.
Why? Because you can generally tell if an anime is going in a good direction for the season by looking at those first three episodes.
The third episode is also where people can usually judge if the time invested will be equivalent to the reward gained based on deduction.
This "Rule of Three" is, however, only applicable to seasonal anime with a dozen or two dozen episodes.
I didn't put it together that this rule can also be applied to seasonal live action shows as well until now! Thanks for the insight!
love the rule of 3, thanks for the info. I've heard of it before but this was a very concise and clear definition.
That rule seems like it wouldn’t work for breaking bad.
@@octav1o141 I mean if you aren't invested by the third hour your not going to really get farther or interested at that point. You can't shove a object in front of someone and expect them to like it ten minutes later if they didn't like it in the first minute.
Although for me the rule first better if the show is one hour long or 30 minutes long. If it's an hour long then you got that pilot to get me in the door. If it's 30 minutes then you got 90 minutes to convince me.
It's like a film at that point, if you finish watching a film and they ask if you want a sequel, would you watch it after that film or not.
@@octav1o141 I love breaking bad but I probably wouldn’t tell someone to keep watching if they didn’t like the first three.
@@octav1o141 Just wait till Japanese will make the Breaking Bad Anime.
I didn't want to watch this series until I saw Bill and Frank. And then I got addicted to the beautiful humanity dynamic the show created.
Bill and Frank made me sob like a little baby.
It's so touching that in an apocalypse, where everyone is dying, two people can find love and grow old together. It's beautiful.
Episode 3 just came out of nowhere. It blew my mind. I love it when shows branch off for like an episode or two that mildy are connected to the main story and and characters.
I think it's really important to recognize that the risks taken here don't betray the existing story and lore. These risks reside in the respect and elaboration of the existing world and its characters. So many show runners these days think the risk they should take is to cheaply subvert expectations by disregarding the original story. TLOU writers are showing the industry how to move forward with adaptations successfully.
This comment should be pinned. It worked because these characters were already confirmed to be partners in the game, and the show simply elaborated and altered the way their destiny ended. It gave more of a closure, versus the grim way we were introduced to the characters in the game.
I've absolutely been adoring all of your tlou video essays, all the effort must've taken some time due to how well made all of them are, I can't wait for more!
i cried in ep 3 and im not ashamed to say it. it’s not a big deal
Lmao
Crying it's human, there's no shame in it. I'm glad you enjoyed that ep
I did too and at the beginning of episode four when Joel and Ellie left the neighborhood in bill’s truck the reason is when they left the neighborhood is now completely abandoned no more can be done and it will taken over by nature
what I liked about that episode is that gay relationship makes contrasts more clearer. First of the contrast of surviving living in this world, of the couple vs all these para military organisations. And by having a homosexual realtionship the contrast of the characters Frank and Bill was even clearer and not biased by classic relationship rolemodels.
And just in general, relationships can help balance you out and make you better. The trope of like badass apocalypse survival dude is something we've seen play out a million times before. It's just amazing to twist that and have a character introduced into that dynamic showing that finding love and planting flowers in this situation is just as badass and radical.
Episode 3 is a masterpiece and I wish we could get more stories as immaculate as the one we got there. Overall, TLOU is a fucking phenomenal series and I adore it-can’t wait to see every episode!
i was ugly crying by the end of this episode, particularly at their final dinner scene. i absolutely love how they expanded on bill and frank vs what they were in the game. the whole show has been such a breath of fresh air for a story i already knew almost inside and out already from playing but what they've done so far is magnificent and this episode speaks volumes of that. (that's not the only good one of course, my favorite episode is 5 and i absolutely loved riley's)
And it would've been rated even higher if it wasn't review bombed. I love this show so much, adaptation is amazing, it's all done with love. It gripped me and I'm obsessed, even more then game
Beautifully articulated as usual, not only did the last of us give us this enthralling episode, but it lead us to your channel ! Grateful for both, keep the stellar content coming 🙏
The literal ONLY thing I would change is the pace. It feels so fast and some of my favorite scenes are when Joel and Ellie are just traveling, but those scenes only last a few minutes until they meet other people or a massive flashback happens. It's great those flashbacks are really good, but I like the slower pace of their alone moments
Huh yeah, I guess it is pretty rare when the video game has slower pace than the show.
Episode 3 made me sob in a way I haven’t cried in YEARS
I love how well you articulate things. You definitely have a unique way of going about discussing the things and subjects related to this show. You’re one of the first people I’ve seen to actually use data in a video essay, and I appreciate you not hesitating to tackle the underlying politics around episode 3’s reception.
Please, keep up these break downs.
This might be the most wholesome yet heartbroken episode I've watched till date
Great point! I was thinking the other day about the great problem they have to solve by making the tv adaptation. They have to entertain those who never played the games and still make it enjoyable for those who did. I think this forced them to take risks and be unpredictable in a way. At this point I don't know which parts will be 1:1 replications of the game or more background giving special pieces that enhance the perspective in the subject of this series. What a great show!
i rlly wanted to see bill and ellie arguing and the upside down shooting scene, but i loved this episode so much and i dont think they could have done it better
Episode 3 warmed my cold, cold heart. I was weeping as the closing credits rolled.
This video showed up in my reccomended and i am glad it did. Fantastic editing and examples, really enjoyed it, well done!
Well put! Completely agree with you. This was masterful. I'd love to see the 3 hour cut in theatres.
This channel is a little, underrated gem i am absolutely glad i have found
I've cried in 3 out of 8 episodes so far, no show has had that kind thing so far
im 9/9 now 😭
Honestly the 3rd episode of the last of us is the only time I’ve ever cried, I haven’t watched the full video yet but I’m excited for it.
Also spoiler alert, imma try to go down far enough that you’ll have to press read more but just note you’ve been warned.
My grandma died of cancer in multiple places and we saw her decay, I don’t know If Frank had cancer or what. But when he got in the wheelchair and decided he and bill would kill themselves i genuinely sobbed, after seeing that in my life to see someone get somewhat of a happy ending and go out the way they chose to just hit me so hard. Genuinely one of the best episodes of TV ever made.
Also I’m completely straight, but this was just one of the best love stories I’ve ever seen
i thought this was gonna be a cute review of how bill took a risk on frank by helping him and ended up in a cute long loving relationship for maybe it was allusion to that too but this was a great video!!
it’s crazy to me how people are watching this show where the main character is gay, and then they get offended over bill and franks story 😭
No joke. The number of “I dun wanna see no homos, grrrr” type comments I’ve seen that either don’t know or are in severe denial about the fact Ellie is also gay is hilarious. A lot of tLou fans became beyond exhausting before P2 even came out so when season 2 reminds them that Ellie doesn’t want to fuck them I imagine it’ll be a shitstorm again
@@SlamDunkPyro My dumbass thought op was talking about Joel.
I think the people (mostly straight men) who complain about Bill and Frank being gay don't mind the fact that Ellie is. This is mostly because those same people are a lot more comfortable with gay women due to the sexualization of Lesbians and Women in general.
@@th0ck u hit the nail on the head
@@th0ck OR MAYBE ELLIE DIDNT FUCK WITH A WOMAN ON SCREEN, atleast yet ?!?!!??! U leftists are so delusional. Persnonally i skipped whole episode after seeing them kissing, it almost made me puke.
I love the show so much, the first game too, and I'm glad they went more in depth to Bill's personal life with Frank in the show. We didn't get much info from the game when Joel and Ellie first met Bill, but there were clues, Joel mentions Frank in a conversation in Bill's bunker, then Ellie swipes an adult magazine catered towards men interested in other men. (a lot to say instead of just saying what it was but it's youtube yk) There were hints to Bill and Frank's relationship in the game but it was never explored, I'm very glad we got to see them grow old together and see an alternate take on what would've happened towards the end of Franks life.
There were ZERO hints. Calling someone your partner, especially in the apocalypse is hardly calling them your lover. Tha magazine was a one off, they just wanted to put some comedy in the game. I think they read WAYYYYYYYYYYY too hard into it.
Pey, this was an amazing video. The way you presented and edited the video was perfect. How you showed the graphs and how you added the big “wow” effect once you added episode 3 into the mix, was genius. I’m very glad I stumbled upon your video and I hope you continue making videos, as they’re very good.
P.S. After watching the video I saw your name and profile icon and you are someone who I’ve played video games with in the past, and I just wanted to say hello, and that I’m happy your videos are doing well. (Well enough for me to click on it) Keep it up, Pey. You rock.
-mercy
Think my favourite episodes are 4 and 6, 4 cause it really progressed joel and ellie's relationship and that catharsis when joel finally laughs is golden and 6 because the whole episode is a rollercoaster of upsetting and heartwarming moments. I wouldn't say any of the episodes i'd rate below 4/5 ⭐️
I generally think that every change the adaptation has made, every risk it took, elevated it and was borderline necessary for it to succeed in the new medium. The Last Of Us's core gameplay loop of stealth -> loot -> kill does not work as a show. They needed to bring the background elements of the game to the forefront, and those elements needed to be expanded on. Playing as the main character in the game does a lot of heavy lifting. In particular, playing through the events of the first episode hits very, very hard. Without the free buy-in of playing as the main character, they needed to push the envelope. But they needed to do it without destroying the delicately crafted story that the game pulled off. At the time, The Last Of Us told a very risky story for a video game. The show needed to do the same.
So far, they have understood the assignment. They knew what made the story great and what _needed_ to change for the new medium. It's a masterclass on adaptation.
Great work on these videos. The audio quality is excellent and you communicate very well. All the best!
I think that some people as fans of the game, may not like the departure from the game’s narrative. The lesson Bill serves to teach is still there, but it’s been inverted from the game Bill. It’s about what Joel and Ellie can strive toward. Which ties nicely into a more hopeful message than a miserable one. More impressively, Bill still felt like the curmudgeonly ass that he did in the game, and despite that, his relationship was far more compelling of a narrative. Especially since so much of the narrative is tragic.
I mean the change was more making him a point of view character. Frank left him in the game, and that relationship ended in bitterness. But the people mad aren't mad about that. They're mad because they SHOWED what was described in dialogue and letters in the game. Because they're homophobic.
They hit elements for everyone and hit it out of the park. I saw people on all spectrums love it. It's like te opposite of modern storytelling. No preaching, just story. Anyone could vibe on the love story.
actually well written analysis, good voice work, editing and confidence
I liked how this story was framed so much more in the show than I did in the game
So glad your videos and your channel have been recommended and been doing so well. I love the way you speak, edit, and review. As someone who loves to study media and reception (and also loves TLoU), your videos kind of encapsulate all of my inner dialogue into a short, well-edited recap. I hope you can continue to reviewing other media as well even after this show is done. Keep up the great content!
I have a couple videos planned after the last of us finishes and I wrap up my thoughts on it! However, I'm trying to focus on the last of us while its airing so my channel is a bit more consistent. I love that you're interested in other media analysis and I hope to see you around!
I've been watching some of your videos the last couple weeks and really enjoying them. Then, I looked at your name and realized you were Pey the Musician that I'd seen on Atrioc's streams! Awesome to see you do these other videos as well. You're very talented and I think you've found a bit of an identity with these short form examinations of an aspect of one episode. Can't wait for more!
it's always fun when people make the connection between both channels. Youre the third person to tell me this and it's always fun
Those are some really interesting perspectives you put forth and I cannot agree with you more. Keep it up!
First of all, episode 3 was not a dramatic change in the LORE, it was a dramatic change in point of view characters. The major lore change is that Frank leaves Bill before Joel and Ellie arrive, Joel had yet to meet Frank, and only Frank dies. But their relationship happened in the lore. It just ended in bitterness rather than fatalistic acceptance.
.
Second, I'll give my criticisms of it: (1) Bill standing like an idiot in the street shooting the marauders. (2) The song at the emotional climax. I LOOOVE that song. But I know it so well it took me right out of immersion for a split second. They could have done their own melancholy song.
.
Otherwise, this was an incredible episode.
In the game you never get to meet Frank. You find him hanging from the ceiling, dead. He killed himself before becoming infected fully. You find out that Bill and Frank are partners when Bill finds the body and cuts it down and tells you about him. and also through letters you see journaled by Bill and the last letter left by Frank.
(Just commenting this for anyone who thinks bill and Frank weren’t confirmed partners in the game- they were)
The only thing I wish they would have went more into is the banter between Bill and Ellie
It takes a lot to make me cry, but this episode had me balling my eyes out
Yeah, the Tusk absolutely payed off, not a single series had me crying, that's the first one, the episode was simply beautiful
Banger video, truly spot on. This show is incredible for so many reasons!
I sobbed watching the Notebook.
I grieved watching the 3rd episode.
You’re videos are amazing! Keep it up
One of the best love stories I’ve seen. It’s a huge departure from the game, but it’s well worth it imo.
Common W for pey
Such a beautiful love story, great video!
My only problem with Ep3 was that it felt like it came out of nowhere. The episode itself was very well done, but it was like whiplash going from ep1 and ep2 to it. I'm guessing it came down to budget, but I think it would have been a better ep4, with something to slow things down happening in ep3.
Someone already pointed this out but that love between Bill and Frank was just like that married couple from Pixar's UP. Both of which as well ended up in me drowning in tissues and tears.
I also think they took a risk rewriting Bill's character as heavily as they did. As a fan of the game I disliked TV series Bill when the episode dropped because he no longer represented a dystopian version of what Joel could end up like if he refuses attachment to anyone else. Game Bill is a brilliant mirror of Joel and his last line in response to Joel praising Ellie being "You ain't gonna make it" is great foreshadowing in my opinion.
However, as the show went on and the nuances in TV series Joel's character differed more from the game, I realized that in a way it's still the same Bill. TV series Bill instead represents a Utopian version of Joel and shows what life can be like if he finds something to live for. It's a simple difference: Game Bill chooses that caring for someone only gets you killed while TV Bill chooses the opposite. In the end, they both mirror Joel's character equally well but in opposite directions.
Super interesting perspective. Appreciate you sharing
@@PeyTheWriter Thanks! Very good video!
As someone who knows the first game really well, I actually enjoyed episode three's change.
In my opinion it makes for a better TV show story (especially with in the time frame they had for season one).
It provided a unique opportunity to showcase diversity, something touched on well in this video.
Annd, it allowed a game fan like me to still be genuinely surprised and on edge. Because i could foresee where episode three was going.
So by making an hour long episode with the diversity showcased more than the game counter part, and an opportunity to emotionally move previous fans, I am happy with this decision!
Just throwing this one out there. You will have 100k subs in no time if you keep this up Pey
a happier ending for bill. In the game, Bill lives after Frank died and he's miserable
Great TV is often divisive. If there was nothing to disagree about the whole thing would be forgotten in days. Whereas, this show will be getting talked about for decades. Every production getting made from now on will be influenced by it, it will be parodied, talked about in classes, taught to students, and imitated to some degree.
So by any measure it has changed the landscape of TV. Permanently. Just like hunger games did, just like breaking bad did, Jaws, shindlers list, Alien, 2001 a space oddity, Blade Runner, and others.
I balled my eyes out for this episode. It really blindsided me and I love it for it.
I like how Arcane approached violence. Even in the most Fan service-y fight scenes, it is always brought it back down, quite abruptly. You are always reminded that violence is a bad thing.
Well said, once again. ❤
Spot on analysis. I agree the show isn't perfect (hardly any show is, even the ones I consider among the greatest ever), but the risks it takes allow it to reap such higher rewards than it otherwise would have. They could have easily adapted it as the game showed it to the T, but they instead chose to make it a show that could stand on its own legs and took additional risks. Mad respect for it
Keep these coming! Great content!
I think the changes from what happened in the video game vs what happened in the show for the relationship of Bill and Frank was a wise move. It would have been a waste of an episode to have Ellie, Joel, and Bill hunt battery parts for a truck only to find out that Frank had ditched Bill, stole the Battery parts but was bitten, then is found hanging in the house that has the truck. Not only would it have made their characters even less impactful and meaningful to the viewers but it also just makes the story even more depressing. Episode 3 shows that even in the worst situations, humans can choose how they treat each other and how to love each other. It was an amazing change to a very small part of the game that the show made much more meaningful.
Episode 3 was PEAK
I was a bit uncomfortable only because it was different. Had it been 2 sexy lesbians, opinions surely would have been different. I don’t like the double standards. This was a beautiful scene, it doesn’t matter what you believe.
Great ass video, wonderful quality and writing.
The episode is a massive risk. In a rewatch, you can skip episode 3 entirely, since they pick up a car, and a gun for Ellie. Overall the impact of the episode is inconsequencial. However (mostly) everyone and their mother who watched the episode, consider it one of the best ever.
Squid Game cost $21 million made almost $900 million !!
"There's no action" is the most childish reason I can think of
i subscribed to you and watched all of your the last of us videos! please continue making more content like this in the future
First of all, I love your analyses of this show. I know there are many recappers of shows like this, but your perspective is different and dare I say it -- smarter and more insightful than most. My husband of 30 years died nearly a decade ago and Ep3 wrecked me for weeks. The song played in my head over and over and over. It was the most perfect TV episode since the series finale of "Six Feet Under." I think those who didn't like the episode were either uncomfortable with the gay subject matter (probably a majority) or "purists" who didn't like that it wasn't verbatim from the game, or "The Walking Dead" watchers who were upset at "no zombies". I was not familiar with the game so for me it stood on its own merits.
I'm glad to hear the episode resonated so much for you. I had some complicated things going on in my life and when I watched this episode I didn't cry, I sobbed
What's wild to me is that it is by definition a filler episode. If you skipped this episode you wouldn't miss anything in the main narrative at it's most charitable it can be defined with a single line, "a family lived here, they died, Joel gets their supplies."
What's amazing though is that it is without a doubt my favorite episode. My wife and I had tears watching it. I'm only concerned it's going to teach the lesson that tangents are always worthwhile and they fall into a similar trap walking dead fell into with the filler episodes.
The quality of these videos are honestly so amazing. I’m a massive imagine dragons and TLOU fan, so to see these compared side by side had me sold. Love how HBO have changed things, a carbon copy of the game would’ve been a solid show, but I’m loving all the new adaptions in their own ways.
Amazing videos, W channel 👏
Behind the perfection of what episode 6 was and insanity in 5, episode 3 is there for me. Its symbolic and deep and especially tells an absolutely beautiful story. Such a phenomenal episode. HOWEVER, I do think the episode was unnecessary. There wasnt much it had to do with the main story with Joel and Ellie. Its great to expand the lore and world of TLou but it just seems redundant especially after the following episodes where we didn't get much call back. The episodes introduced the characters and left with both of them dead. Not to say the characters werent developed enough cause they were and done so in a single episode. What Bill and Frank's story did for our main protagonists (car and gun?) couldve been explained in 30 seconds and we would have had more time with Joel and Ellie. In no way is negative opinions and thoughts on the episode equate to homophobia. if it was Bill and a girl the episode would've felt just as redundant and unnecessary to the overall plot to Joel and Ellie's survival. Its already so close to the end and I just wish we got just a little bit more time with our characters developing and interacting with each other; there was a 2-3 month jump between episode 5 and 6 and I guess im just supposed to assume Joel and Ellie got more attached instead of seeing it.
In other words: Episode 3 was a beautiful masterpiece that I dont think will be able to be matched, but that masterpiece was put in somewhere it doesnt fit.
For what it's worth, I loved the deviation that the 3rd episode took. I've played both games numerous times, so seeing a different approach to what I was expecting was really quite nice. I also liked that the relationship between Bill and Frank was given adequate time to actually be fleshed out and explored, rather than casually mentioned off-hand like it was in the game.
My only gripe with the episode is really more to do with how I view sexuality in general. I'm acespec, so when I see movies, TV shows, and stories use sex or romance as a way of driving home the "value" of an interpersonal relationship between two people, it really just sorta alienates me. To be honest I found most of the episode to be awkward to watch, but I recognize that's purely my own interpretation of sexual expression and how I struggle to relate to it. I still appreciate the episode for what it did --- show a relationship between two people of this specific archetype, something previously never done before to such critical acclaim.
Personally, I am a bigger fan of "friendship" love. For example, The Shawshank Redemption is one of my favorite "love" stories of all time. It's not romance, it's about two guys who meet each other in prison, spend decades together, and eventually find each other on the outside as free men and just live out the rest of their lives having each other at their side.
I think the quote from Red really summarizes exactly what I love so much about the movie: "And when they fly away, the part of you that knows it was a sin to lock them up DOES rejoice. But still, the place you live in is that much more drab and empty that they're gone. I guess I just miss my friend."
No sex, no romance, but instead it is a very pure depiction of love. I'm not trying to suggest that any indication of sex or romance automatically makes it "impure", it just makes it very difficult for me to relate to. I don't see people like that. I do however love my friends, I've cried over them, I've touched their hearts in ways I never could have imagined. That is something that resonates very strongly with me. So when I see a movie or a TV show with these implied sex scenes sprinkled in, it just really takes me out of resonating with those characters and the things they experience. I can't relate to it.
This is the same reason why I absolutely LOVED Violet Evergarden, the series and the movies, right up until the last 15 or so minutes of the final film. The entire story revolves around watching Violet explore her emotions and figure herself out. I always knew it was a "romance" story but I suspected it was in that genre because we are watching Violet experience these types of feelings and emotions vicariously --- she's writing letters expressing love and affection and all sorts of different feelings for people she doesn't even know.
She also had a role model in her life who she did love, although she did not know how to describe that feeling. And then in the last 15 minutes of the final film, she reconnects with that role model, and it's suddenly a romantic relationship. It instantly made me feel super disconnected from Violet as a character. I related to Violet on tons of levels, particularly with not knowing how to relate to or how to understand these things so commonly expressed by other people, yet trying very hard to understand them herself and find her own definition of them, and then this one little thing is sprinkled in turning it into a "happily ever after" love story. It just immediately pulled me away from relating to her.
Anyway, sorry for the long tangent. I guess what I'm trying to say is, I do like the episode for what it did. However, I just could not relate to it in any way at all. I know I am an edge case. I would however really like to see stories that revolve more around platonic love, rather than sexual/romantic love. The vibe I get from a lot of fictional media that portrays loving relationships is that, if you aren't having sex with someone, then it's love that isn't worth experiencing. Which just isn't true.
Were gonna be telling our kids “the game was better” like how our parents told us “the book was better”
Loving your videos so much, please keep going ❤
I think the episode count is the only thing hurting these side eps. I love the stories they’re telling but we only have 9 episodes!!!
Well said .
This episode made me proud I recommended a show with such a fucked up genre backing it to my family.
Their love story was so well written it even made Critical drinker cry
Another great video.
This is a beautiful video and I agree with it!
great analysis !
Familiar with your content after Joel featured you in his end of the year wrap up. From what I've seen, I've really enjoyed your stuff! Like your Collab with Trent or animations
We have one episode left and the “risk taking” has done a real number on the pacing and character building I truly loved the game and it’s is still a game I go back to a bit to regularly so having a show that I show my parents or other people who have and will not play the game I was excited just for the “risk taking” to leave them bored at times and my mom asked the realest question ever last week, 8 episodes in btw “where are the zombies” and it’s because they chose to take these risks and jam i necessary characters like Kathleen down our throat and prioritizing character building for characters that are literally only contained in one episode and for me my biggest complaint is they havent actually used any of the music that’s so synonymous with the game except in the intro theme and end credits last episode had the most egregious absence of music in the David death scene but every talks so glowingly about episode 3 but what was missing from that episode was Joel Ellie and bill the bickering between bill and Ellie and the very beginnings of Joel getting closer with Ellie and sticking up for her to bill but instead the show runner wants to focus on so many other relationships other than the most important one the one that the quality of the series depends on and with the last episode around the corner I have my doubts about the ending flooring all the new people that didn’t play the game
big meaty fruity man 😳
Awesome video dude!