Episode 3 of The Last Of Us kicks off ten miles west of Boston, where Ellie and Joel are closing in on their objective. However, Joel still hasn't forgiven Ellie for what transpired with Tess, and it's evident in the way he grudgingly hands her his jacket. Ellie confronts him, insisting that she shouldn't be blamed for something that wasn't her fault. She never asked to be dragged out of the city into this nightmare.
The pair continue their journey, embarking on a five-mile hike to reach Bill and Frank's hideout. Cumberland Farms, a decrepit and abandoned gas station, serves as a temporary stop for them. Ellie stumbles upon an arcade machine playing Mortal Kombat II and engages Joel in some light-hearted banter, their exchanges filled with authentic dialogue from the game.
Ellie ventures off alone and stumbles upon a hatch leading to the basement. Curious, she decides to explore it, and soon comes across one of the infected. This time, however, the creature is wedged into the wall, fungi growing up the side of its head. Ellie, without hesitation, delivers a killing blow, ending the creature's misery.
With ammunition running low, Joel reluctantly leaves his shotgun behind, opting to press onward without it. As they continue, Ellie vents her frustration towards the government, blaming them for their inability to contain the pandemic. She tries to comprehend how it all began, seeking answers from Joel.
According to Joel, the Cordyceps mutated and infiltrated the global food supply. On a fateful Thursday, people unknowingly consumed the contaminated food and fell ill. Eventually, the infected began biting those who remained uninfected, sparking a chain reaction. It took just three days for the infection to sweep the globe, turning civilization into a chaotic wasteland.
Scattered among the woods are numerous skeletal remains, gruesome reminders of the past. Joel explains that these were ordinary people who couldn't find a place in the QZ (Quarantine Zone). The soldiers, in their mercy, took them outside and executed them, leaving them to rot in the woods as a warning to others.It's a tale fraught with despair, one that takes us back to the fateful day of September 30th, 2003, to witness its unfolding. From the safety of his abode, Bill watches helplessly as soldiers herd the residents together, preparing to evacuate the town. Aware of the mandatory evacuation order, Bill opts to hide in the bowels of his basement, narrowly escaping detection.
Later, emerging from his hideout, Bill ventures outdoors, clad in a gas mask and brandishing a gun—a foolish move, considering there are no harmful spores in this desolate landscape. It's not long before he realizes his folly and accepts his solitary fate. Determined to survive, Bill gathers an array of supplies—fuel drums, home depot provisions, and an ample stash of alcohol. His generator hums outside, powering his sanctuary, while a fence encircles the perimeter of the abandoned town.
Bill manages to lead a comfortable life, slicing his own meat and watching the infected fall prey to his traps. For four long years, he survives alone, until fate intervenes. One day, one of his traps is sprung, and to his surprise, Bill finds a man named Frank trapped inside.
Frank was once part of a group of ten, heading to Boston in search of safety. Now, he's the sole survivor of their journey. Worse still, he's unarmed and vulnerable. Despite his initial wariness, Bill decides to extend a helping hand, keeping a cautious eye on the newcomer. A thorough check reveals Frank is uninfected, and Bill welcomes him into his home, offering him fresh clothes and a hearty meal.
As they sit down to dine, Frank is overwhelmed by the bounty before him—a sumptuous meal accompanied by a perfect glass of wine. After the meal, Frank's fingers wander across the keys of an antique piano in the living room, and soon, a melody fills the air. Inspired, Bill joins in, playing a heartrending tune—a song of loss, a tribute to a friend no longer with him.
Frank deeply understood Bill's agony, and their bond grew stronger as they shared a tender kiss. The moment was magical, especially when they retreated to the comfort of their bed... but then, time leaped forward, and three years had passed in the blink of an eye.
Frank and Bill's harmonious existence was disrupted by a heated argument. Frank was eager to spruce up their home, fix the shops, and ensure the lawnmower had gas. He dreamed of inviting more people into their community, welcoming visitors with open arms. Meanwhile, Frank had been in frequent radio contact with his friends Tess and Joel, discussing potential collaborations.
Joel and Bill found themselves engaged in a candid conversation outdoors. Joel revealed that he had access to resources within the QZ that could be of immense help to them, specifically gear to reinforce their perimeter fence, which Joel estimated had a lifespan of barely a year. They also hatched a clever plan to use music as a coded message on the radio, a brilliant idea hatched by Frank.
Before parting ways, Joel issued a solemn warning: raiders could strike at any moment, and they must be prepared for the worst. This uneasy alliance held steady for three long years, until we leap forward to 2013. Frank had bartered a gun for seeds with Joel and Tess, hoping to cultivate strawberries and bring a touch of nature to their lives.
However, this serene interlude was merely a prelude to chaos. As predicted, raiders appeared at the perimeter that fateful night, and Bill valiantly repelled them, suffering a gunshot wound in the process. They survived the ordeal, but the incident left a lasting impact on their lives.
Another decade passed, and Bill and Frank grew older together, weathering the storms of life. But Frank's health began to falter, and he realized that his time was limited. Without access to medical care or a cure, he resolved to make his final days count, planning a memorable celebration that included getting married and drifting off to sleep in Bill's arms, surrounded by the comfort of his loved ones.
In the present moment, Joel and Ellie arrived at Bill's town, only to find it abandoned and desolate. They ventured into Bill's house, where the signs of decay were evident: rotten food littered the table, and a heartbreaking note from Bill awaited them on the living room table. The truth was unavoidable - Bill had taken his own life.
Amidst their grief, they discovered a key to Bill's car, which Joel took possession of while Ellie read the letter aloud. In his note, Bill confessed that he had hated the world until one person had entered his life, changing his perspective and giving him a reason to fight for a better future. He entrusted them with the bunker code and invited them to take whatever they needed. "That's why men like you and me are here. We have a mission to fulfill, and anyone who dares to stand in our way will face the consequences."
It's an incredibly poignant approach to highlighting the parallels between Joel and Bill, prior to Joel's departure and his ultimate reunion with his brother. Wyoming is his destination, and given Tommy's past as a Firefly, he might possess the knowledge to guide Ellie safely. Inside the bunker, the duo hurriedly gathers an array of supplies, eager to prepare for the journey ahead. Ellie, too, transforms into her recognizable attire from the games, this time, however, with a newfound discovery - a handgun, which she shrewdly conceals in her bag. As they embark on their adventure, they play a melody that Frank originally sang upon his arrival in the town, the tune adding a touch of nostalgia and camaraderie to their journey.
