The third episode of The Last of Us aired on Monday, and fans have said it is one of the “best episodes of television ever.” Just three episodes in, and HBO’s post-apocalyptic drama is breaking viewership records, and has already been picked up for a second season.
The latest episode took the spotlight off protagonists Joel and Ellie and introduced viewers to Bill, a paranoid survivalist living alone in a deserted and fortified town. When lone wanderer Frank stumbles into one of Bill’s many booby-traps, the pair develop a strong romantic bond, and live together in relative peace for more than 15 years.
Though based on the acclaimed video game of the same name, episode three deviated from its story quite dramatically and took the opportunity to flesh out the backstory of a popular character of whom fans knew little about before the events of the game. The two actors at the heart of the episode – Parks and Recreation’s Nick Offerman and The White Lotus star Murray Bartlett – have been lauded for their performances, and have already been tipped for awards recognition for their “raw and intimate” portrayal of an LGBT+ love story.
