The Last of Us
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Hes been preparing for this moment (though well later learn he prefers the word survivalist to prepper).
Bill knows just what to do.
When the electricity gives out at the power station, his first reaction isnt Oh shit!
but That was fast.
Then he takes the necessary steps to keep the power running.
Bill was made for these times.
Or so he thought.
Thats the thing about survivalists: They focus on surviving.
But what waits on the other side of survival?
In some respects, Bills philosophy isnt that different from FEDRAs.
Its just with no one else around, theres no one to oppress.
And, as it turns out, Bill doesnt really have oppression in him.
Hes not the person he thinks he is, but it takes someone else to make him see that.
It takes a bit to get to Bills story.
The episode opens in 2023 and finds our protagonists in the wilderness ten miles west of Boston.
That was their choice.
Joel has no response.
He hasnt been a dad in a while, but the old instincts seem to be kicking in.
His reply: Frank is, though that joke wont really make sense until later in the episode.
Shehasheard about it, however.
Video games have become part of the lore of the world before.
Its a curious moment.
She never tells Joel about it.
Whatever this moment means to her, she decides to keep to herself.
The visit ends with Ellie again pleading for a gun, which Joel denies.
By the episodes end, shell have one shes keeping secret from Joel.
(This would seem to be Chekhovs gun in action, but well have to wait and see.)
Joels paternal instincts extend to trying to protect Ellie from physicalandemotional harm.
Its also Bills cue to spring into action.
Theres a hint of a smile on his face when he realizes everyone else is gone.
Flash-forward four years, and Bill still seems content with being alone.
And this is not an Arbys.
Franks retort: Arbys didnt have free lunch.
It was a restaurant.
Is this the moment when Bill realizes he doesnt want to be alone anymore?
But first, lunch.
Bill doesnt just feed Frank, he offers him a feast, even by pre-apocalyptic standards.
A man who knows to pair rabbit with Beaujolais, Frank observes.
Frank knows who this man is and what he needs, even if Bill doesnt.
Unable to take it, Bill takes over.
So, whos the girl?
The girl youre singing about, Frank asks.
But he knows theres no girl.
In others, its a savvy bit of casting.
The apocalypse is nothing.Thisis what scares him.
Years later, hell say as much, telling Frank, I was never afraid before you showed up.
Its an arrangement that lasts.
But he has other worries on his mind.
He regrets growing older faster than his fit, energetic partner.
Bill can feel the end coming on and wants Frank to be prepared for it.
But the end wont arrive for another ten years.
When the flashback catches up with 2023, Bill seems well enough, but Frank can barely get around.
He knows hes ill, and he knows its bad.
But first, he wants, at last, to get married.
This isnt the tragic suicide at the end of the play, Bill tells him.
And you were my purpose.
In the end, he wanted more out of life than survival.
Having gotten it, he can give up the fight.
After some time passes, their house has visitors one last time.
Joel and Ellie stop by and figure out whats happened after reading Bills note.
Thats why men like you and me are here.
We have a job to do, it reads.
For Bill, Joels job included protecting Tess.
25 on theBillboardHot 100, Long, Long Time comes from Ronstadts second solo album, 1970sSilk Purse.
It picked up a second life when it was included in Rondstadts blockbusterGreatest Hitscollection in 1976.
Globalization has its downsides, apparently.
The cordyceps infection went global on September 26, 2003.
In our timeline, Massachusetts legalized gay marriage in May 2004.
But in theLast of Ustimeline, it would never have happened.
(At least by anything we recognize as the government.
Offermans not alone in deserving praise for this episode.
Bartlett is terrific too.
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