Social media was abuzz on Sunday about the latest episode of the beloved video game adaptation.
Spoiler alert! Warning: spoilers ahead for The Last of Us episode 3, titled "Long Long Time." Do not proceed if you haven't watched!
The Last of Us introduced another fan-favorite character from the video game series in Sunday's all-new episode, only for them to meet their end in a tragic way -- and surprise fans by veering off course from the game's canonical story.
In the first Last of Us video game, over the course of their journey, Joel and Ellie meet up with Bill, a survivalist who gives them grief when they ask to borrow his car. They also find a letter from his late partner, Frank, and the implication that the pair were in a relationship prior to Frank's death by suicide after he was infected.
The Last of Us episode 3, however, expanded Bill (Nick Offerman) and Frank's (Murray Bartlett) story into something of a bottle episode, sharing how the pair met and fell in love before a neurological disease left Frank asking Bill to help end his life. Taking the same lethal dose, the pair passed away together, leaving their car for the taking when Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) return to their compound.
Fans online, of course, had plenty to say about this twist. Many found themselves simply emotionally devastated by the pair's tragic love story...
...while others praised the show for expanding the characters' storyline.
"#TheLastOfUs EP.3 brings so much depth to Bill & Frank’s relationship that the game only alluded to," one Twitter user said. "THIS is why this show was made. It’s not just retelling the story of the game, it’s adding weight to previously unexplored territory that the game only briefly mentioned."
The Last of Us was renewed for a second season earlier this week, and prior to the renewal, Mazin told ET he would love the chance to "dive into more of the world of The Last of Us" in future seasons.
"We have definitely talked about seasons to come," he revealed. "I think everybody at HBO is excited about keeping it going, we want to keep it going. So as long as the audience is there and the desire's there for more, we're ready to go."
The Last of Us airs Sundays at 9 p.m. PT/ET on HBO and HBO Max.
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