Joel and Ellie press on with their journey across the countryside, still grappling with the loss of Tess. Their path leads them to Lincoln, a small town now occupied by its sole remaining resident, Bill.
This change in the storyline introduces a key focus on Bill’s life and his role in the narrative.
Joel and Ellie’s journey to Lincoln introduces a poignant chapter in their story (Photo: The Last Of Us/Sony Pictures Television, PlayStation Productions, Naughty Dog, The Mighty Mint, and Word Games)Bill’s Life in Lincoln
Nick Offerman brings to life the character of Bill, a survivalist who took over Lincoln after its residents were relocated to quarantine zones during the outbreak. The episode explores Bill’s complex relationship with Frank, portrayed by Murray Bartlett.
This chapter in the series intertwines their partnership with the grim reality of their surroundings, offering deeply emotional moments and diverging from the game’s original plot.
Frank’s Struggle with Illness
Frank’s declining health becomes a focal point in the 2023 timeline. By August of that year, he suffers from Parkinson’s disease, which leaves him wheelchair-bound and battling severe muscle rigidity.
Frank candidly shares that even before the outbreak, his condition was untreatable, and the post-apocalyptic world’s lack of medical resources leaves him with no hope for recovery.
Bill’s Heartbreaking Decision
The conclusion of Bill and Frank’s story takes an unexpected turn. Frank asks Bill for one final perfect day, ending with a peaceful death through spiked wine. However, Bill reveals that he has also consumed the drugged wine, choosing to die alongside Frank.
This moment diverges from the game, where Bill survives Joel and Ellie’s time in Lincoln, and underscores the depth of Bill’s love for Frank, as life without him feels meaningless.
The unseen farewell of Bill and Frank resonates through a lingering open window (Photo: The Last Of Us/Sony Pictures Television, PlayStation Productions, Naughty Dog, The Mighty Mint, and Word Games)The Absence of Their Bodies
The episode opts to leave Bill and Frank’s bodies unseen. As Joel and Ellie leave Lincoln, the camera lingers on an open window, hinting at the location of their final moments.
By choosing not to show their remains, the story preserves the dignity and poignancy of their decision, allowing the emotional impact to resonate with viewers.
Ellie and the Hidden Gun
Ellie secretly taking Frank’s gun is a crucial development. The earlier raid on Lincoln highlights Bill’s vast collection of weapons, including Frank’s personal firearm.
Ellie’s decision foreshadows her eventual need to use the gun, particularly during future confrontations with adversaries in Kansas City, which replaces Pittsburgh as the setting for these events in the series.
Joel’s Shift in Strategy
With Bill and Frank no longer alive, Joel decides to take Ellie to his brother Tommy. This new plan serves as a means to protect Tommy and leverage his connections with the Fireflies to secure Ellie’s safety.
Insights into Tommy’s past with the Fireflies offer glimpses into his backstory and hint at his importance in the story’s progression.
The Letter and Its Symbolism
Bill leaves a heartfelt letter for Joel, reflecting on his life and relationship with Frank. He acknowledges how his purpose became protecting Frank, paralleling Joel’s growing responsibility toward Ellie.
While the letter was meant to encourage Joel to safeguard Tess, it foreshadows Ellie’s eventual role as the person who gives Joel a reason to fight for survival.
Emotional Echoes Between Episodes
The closing scene, with Joel and Ellie leaving Lincoln in Bill’s truck, mirrors the frantic escape in Episode 1 when Joel and Sarah fled the outbreak.
Linda Ronstadt’s “Long Long Time” plays during this sequence, encapsulating Bill and Frank’s love story while hinting at the evolving bond between Joel and Ellie. This moment sets the stage for the emotional journey that lies ahead.
