The Last of Us Episode 3 Divides Fans With 'Filler' Plot
Although The Last of Us Episode 3 is being called one of the best TV episodes of all time, its critics have branded it a 'filler.'
31st Jan 2023 10:15
HBO
The Last of Us Episode 3 Divides Fans With 'Filler' Plot
Although The Last of Us Episode 3 is being called one of the best TV episodes of all time, its critics have branded it a 'filler.'
31st Jan 2023 10:15
HBO
Warning: The Last of Us Episode 3 spoilers ahead
If you're like us, chances are you've been playing Linda Ronstadt's "Long Long Time" on a loop for the past 24 hours. Hoping you can see through those tears, let's look back at The Last of Us Episode 3 and THAT heart-breaking outing.
When the first previews went out, we were warned that Episode 3 would be an emotional one, with this standalone serving as an 85-minute love story between Bill (Nick Offerman) and Frank (Murray Bartlett).
Alongside supporters saying The Last of Us is the best video game adaptation of all time, some are championing January 29's "Long Long Time" as one of the best episodes of all time. Well, not everyone.
The Last Of Us Episode 3 Called 'Filler' By Some
Those who've played Naughty Dog's The Last of Us from 2013 will know things go down differently, with Ellie and Joel meeting Bill, but Frank having passed before the events of the game.
In the series, we get flashbacks from Outbreak Day (2003) all the way through to Ellie (Bella Ramsey) and Joel (Pedro Pascal) reaching Bill's compound in 2023.
While most of us sobbed over 20 whole years of seeing Bill and Frank's relationship blossom like a strawberry on a vine, there's a minority branding it a "filler" week on Twitter.
One hater wrote, "Only 6 episodes left of the last of us part 1 and the entirety of 3 was wasted on filler…," while another added, "A filler episode 3 episodes in is not a good start. I hope they don’t do to The Last of Us what they did to the Witcher."
A particularly scathing review said, "Who's idea was it to take the smallest most subliminal detail from the last of us and turn it into an entire screenplay? in the game meeting Bill is much more exciting and would make a sick episode. This was just filler."
Supporting this Romeo and Juliet-inspired yarn, one supporter cheered, "If you are arguing that this week’s The Last of Us 'didn't move the plot forward' or was (ugh) 'filler,' please, I implore you, never watch any scripted TV series ever again."
Another concluded, "Seeing people calling episode 3 of The Last Of US a "filler" episode. If that's the case, then it's the best f*****g filler episode I've ever seen."
Bill And Frank Were Always Gay In The Last Of Us
There's a recurring theme that several of these "filler" critics go down the whole "No GaYZ oN mY tElLy" route, while others say it was gratuitous to show this kind of relationship. An odd argument when you consider Episode 2 had a naked woman with a bullet hole in her head being displayed for all.
Bafflingly, some have managed to miss that Bill and Frank were gay in Naughty Dog's game - calling out HBO for its "woke" deviation from the source material. There was even a cutscene where Ellie found a gay porn magazine in Bill's stash.
There are going to be those that won't admit their reasons for disliking The Last of Us Episode 3, but ultimately, everyone is entitled to their opinion. Across the board, most sites have given "Long Long Time" almost perfect scores.
It's true that showrunner Craig Mazin and director Peter Hoar massively overhauled Bill and Frank from their game counterparts, but ultimately, we've been left with a TV episode for the ages. Love it or hate it, it'll always be remembered. Now, someone pass the tissues.
About The Author
Tom Chapman
Tom is Trending News Editor at GGRecon, with an NCTJ qualification in Broadcast Journalism and over seven years of experience writing about film, gaming, and television. With bylines at IGN, Digital Spy, Den of Geek, and more, Tom’s love of horror means he's well-versed in all things Resident Evil, with aspirations to be the next Chris Redfield.
