The last of us 1x03♡Uncut Reaction &Review ♡
Added 2023-09-02 14:37:40 +0000 UTCLong, Long Time
When a stranger approaches the camp, survivor Bill forges an unexpected alliance that changes both of their lives. Later, Joel and Ellie seek Bill's advice as they try to find Tommy.
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Sorry for the length of this post. Wanted to reflect on the differences and similarities between Bill and Frank in the game, compared to the show. And also how Bill, and Bill and Frank's relationship reflect on Joel as a character. So, spoiler warning for TLOU the game, if you've only seen the show, and never played the game. The events with Bill in the game are completely different from the TV adaptation. But in terms of how Bill’s story functions in the overall story of The Last of Us, both “game Bill” and “TV Bill” serve the same purpose. And I think that is incredible. In the game, Bill is a reflection on Joel, as a kinda cautionary tale. Bill has suffered so much to the point he is completely closed off, and ridged. He tells Joel he’s a fool for helping Ellie. That the only way to survive is to be on your own, and only care about yourself. However, he does tell Joel that he used to have a partner, named Frank. But now Frank is gone. Later, through clues and by reading into Bill’s criticisms of Frank, we come to understand that Bill’s stubbornness drove Frank to leave. But Frank, not having the survival instincts that Bill has, soon found himself confronted with infected people, and became infected himself. Frank chose to end his life by hanging himself, rather than turn. But before he did, he wrote a note to Bill, expressing his anger, and even states that his impending death is preferable to spending any more time with him. Later, when Joel and Bill find Frank’s body, and Joel finds his note, Bill expresses some sadness at losing Frank, but more anger at Frank not bending to what Bill wanted, and to acquiesce to his way of life. Bill does eventually help Joel and Ellie by giving them a truck (and battery). Joel points out that Bill owes him, but we don’t know for what. But despite his help, Bill remains a stubborn curmudgeon, outwardly content to live out his life alone, though we did see him become emotional when he came upon Frank’s body. This version of Bill reflects on Joel as a possible future version of Joel. The devastation Joel suffered at the murder of his daughter, and the hardship of the savage world in the twenty year wake of the apocalypse, have driven Joel to close himself off emotionally. In the game, Joel was paired up with Tess for howeverlong, probably years, but it seemed that their relationship was based primarily on practicality and mutual self-interest. When Tess became infected, and was trying to convince Joel to continue on with Ellie, she appeals to him by saying, “there’s enough here, so you should listen to me.” She’s referring to their relationship. Though it was probably never stated, there was likely love, or the closest Joel could get to love, between Joel and Tess. To the extent that Joel feels some devotion for Tess, he listens to her. He takes Ellie onward, rather than back to Boston. All this to show that Joel is at a crossroads. Without someone in his life, Joel could become a version of Bill, someone bitter and alone, who just lives out their life surviving, not living. But there’s something in Joel that takes on Ellie as his charge, his responsibility. He probably justifies it by thinking he’s honoring Tess’s last wish. But, given how devoted he was to his own daughter years before, there may be a deeper force driving him, too. In the TV show, Bill can be seen as a reflection on Joel’s potential. Bill starts off alone, perfectly content to live his whole life that way. But later we see that contentment is not the same as fulfillment. He can survive by himself, but when Frank coaxes him into singing “Long Long Time,” we see that he would not be able to resolve that emotional hurt on his own. The gruff-exterior Bill singing Linda Ronstadt, with deep, aching emotion. Still waters run deep. Bill and Frank’s life together exemplifies the human need to be with other humans. But the emotion of dealing with others sometimes feels like a burden more than anything positive, and Joel would rather do without that burden, for the most part. We see that “TV Bill” not only reflects Joel thematically, but actually recognizes similarities to himself in the narrative. The two are standoffish with each other in all of their interactions on screen, but when Bill gets shot by raiders, and thinks he may not survive, he tells Frank, the only thing he values in this world, to, “call Joel. He’ll take care of you.” Frank is the only thing in the world that Bill values, that he loves. And Joel is the man Bill selects to protect Frank. Bill recognizes Joel is a good man. Also, the effectiveness of Bill’s fence at electrifying and cooking all the raiders suggests that Bill took Joel’s advice, and upgraded it. It suggests that Bill respects Joel and his opinion and abilities, albeit the story suggests it in a very gruesome way. Finally, when “TV Bill” concludes his and Frank’s life, he leaves a note to “whomever, but probably Joel.” He does not address it to “Joel or Tess,” who would logically be the next likely person to find the note, given he doesn't know Tess isn’t alive anymore. That is telling. Because the note is really only for Joel. He writes to Joel that he doesn’t like him, but that they are almost friends, and that he respects him. For Bill that’s basically stating that they’re besties. Bill literally tells Joel that he was wrong to hate the world and be glad when nearly everyone died. He says he was wrong because of only one other person, Frank. Frank was his purpose. Imagine deciding that the entire world is worthwhile, just because of one other person. Bill recognizes that Joel is like him, a man that can protect others, that can have a purpose. And in his note, Bill bestowed that legacy upon Joel. He tells Joel to take his weapons and equipment, and use them to protect Tess, the only significant person in Joel’s life, as far as Bill knows. But Tess is dead. And Tess’s legacy, that she has bestowed upon Joel, is to protect Ellie. (I mean, this shit is so fucking good). Joel, now charged with the life-blood of two of his friends, must go forward and protect Ellie. But, does Joel believe he can really do that, given that he could not protect his own daughter, years ago? Joel commits to bringing Ellie to Wyoming to find his brother Tommy. A pretty personal mission, and he’s including her. As Joel and Ellie drive off in Bill’s truck, Ellie finds a tape and pops it in, under protests from Joel. Joel changes his tune when he recognizes the song playing is “Long Long Time,” by Linda Ronstadt. Something else that connects Bill and Joel, and neither one probably ever knew that the other also liked the song. The music plays out. The ever laconic Joel proclaims, “This is good. This is Linda Ronstadt.” Still waters run deep.
Tony Hofmann
2023-10-08 01:42:19 +0000 UTCI always ❤️ your reactions 👏👏
PatiMeltz
2023-10-04 07:37:28 +0000 UTCThank you dear, I apreciate that ❤️
safae mokadem
2023-10-02 13:03:48 +0000 UTCIf you saw my last comment to 1x02 reaction, if you didn’t, it doesn’t matter. I will repeat. You are the right person to react to this show despite being somebody that hates horror. Your reaction and commentary to this episode alone proved it. I also have trouble watching same-sex couplings showcased in TV art/entertainment for the same exact reasons as you gave. It’s rarely ever this authentic. You’re such a beautiful soul, Sofie. And to the writers of this episode, and really the entire show, how you managed to portray the pure love of humanity in only one episode without hamfisting or rushing it is remarkable to me. There’s not a single time that I felt awkward in watching it. It takes some real talent and skill to take on a show with an emotional scope of this magnitude. Amazing work! Many thanks to everybody involved with creating and executing it! It is fantastic!
Girl4Music
2023-10-02 08:31:39 +0000 UTC
