The Last of Us Episode 3 Review: Love in the Time of Apocalypse

The Last of Us Episode 3 Review | Leisurebyte
The Last of Us Episode 3 Review: Love in the Time of Apocalypse

Director: Peter Hoar

Date Created: 2023-01-30 08:00

Editor's Rating:
4.5

The Last of Us Episode 3 transforms the apocalypse thriller series into a 75-minute love saga and becomes one of the best television episodes of all time. The episode features Nick Offerman and Murray Bartlett in a strong guest appearance along with series regulars Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, in the role of Joel and Ellie.

-No Spoilers-

The Last of Us Episode 3: Bella Ramsey, Pedro Pascal
The Last of Us Episode 3: Bella Ramsey, Pedro Pascal

The Last of Us Episode 3 Review

The Last of Us Episode 3 starts with a normal hike in the woods, as Ellie and Joel navigate their way towards the safe house residence of Bill and Frank (played by Nick Offerman and Murray Bartlett respectively). The latest instalment also finds them in a small knick-and-knack discussion followed by a little more context about the inception of the pandemic, before it eventually delves into the full-filling love story of the survivalists.

The episode breaks the pattern of showcasing the continuous horrors of the outbreak and leans into the emotional aspect of the pandemic. It finds two distinct individuals growing old with time while infusing calmness into the hyper-chaotic world. Moreover, the entire episode itself felt like a stagnantly gorgeous space of love and care, that had a timeline of its own. One, that wasn’t curtailed by the apocalypse, but actually nurtured along with it.

The Last of Us Episode 3: Nick Offerman, Murray Bartlett
The Last of Us Episode 3: Nick Offerman, Murray Bartlett

We get a detailed glimpse of Bill the survivalist at the start of the instalment. Someone, who is depicted, as a hardcore handyman and near-professional lumberjack (traits pretty much common to Nick Offerman). For the unversed, Bill can be described as the kind of guy, who prepared for the apocalypse way before the term was even coined. And even though he believed in the idea of solitude and hate for the rest of the world, it took one joyous and lively-spirited Frank, to make him more accepting of life.

The entire episode is a complete trajectory of their romance, amidst the deadly outbreak of the fungal pandemic. And zooms into the element of love, affection, sacrifice and heartbreak, with the utmost sincerity. Notably, the episode feels like a footnote of endearment, which relays more like an essential and mandatory part of the story.

The Last of Us Episode 3: Bella Ramsey
The Last of Us Episode 3: Bella Ramsey

Also Read: The Last of Us: Viral Memes that Bring Humour to a Post-Apocalyptic World

Right after the sobbing finale of Parks and Recreation, I was convinced that Nick Offerman has the complete potential to portray a hard-hitting emotional arc, with an in-depth gravity. The character of Bill is easily the role that he was meant to play and truly something that no one else could have pulled off. Offerman simply dives into the soul of Bill, and shatters us as viewers, through the glaring and meaningful eyes of affection.

In the process, he is complemented brilliantly by Murray Bartlett, who doesn’t miss a single beat. He resonates with Frank’s polar opposite nature and finds the tender space in his otherwise robust attitude. A segment that has to go down as one of the best moments in streaming or Television.

Final Thoughts

The Last of Us Episode 3: Bella Ramsey
The Last of Us Episode 3: Bella Ramsey

The episode might leave you sobbing with emotions and rooting for the pair of Bill and Frank. It uses all the calibre to transform the nature of the story, and yet make it as relatable as possible. Furthermore, whether it’s a pandemic or an apocalypse, one thing is for certain- Love does find a way.

You can stream The Last of Us Episode 3 Disney+ Hotstar. Let us know your thoughts about it in the comment section below.

Also Read: The Last of Us Episode 2 Review: The First of Many Hideous Encounters

REVIEW OVERVIEW

Overall

SUMMARY

The Last of Us Episode 3 dives deep into the post-apocalyptic love story of Bill and Frank.
Manjeet Singh
Manjeet Singh
Manjeet loves to steer conversations around films and pop culture(usually to the point of no return). Finding obscure movies and consuming their Wikipedia literature is his daytime hobby. Being a hopeless romantic about cinema is what keeps him going.

Leave a Reply

Subscribe

Related Articles

The Last of Us Season 2 Ending Explained: Does Ellie Get Revenge Against Abby?

The Last of Us Season 2 Ending Explained: We discuss everything about this new season and where are left off.

The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 7 Review: A Lukewarm Season Finale

The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 7 ends on a cliffhanger, although I am unsure which cliff I am hanging off of at the moment.

The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 6 Review: A Father’s Love

The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 6 might be a blast from the past but it makes everything in the present make so much more sense.

The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 5 Review: Rollercoaster of Adventures and Fight For Survival

The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 5 delivers another stunning watch with fantastic performances by Ramsey and Merced.

The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 4 Review: Thrill and Romance in Right Doses

The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 4 sees romance brewing and fantastic performances from Bella Ramsey and Isabela Merced, along with some gnarly kills.
The Last of Us Episode 3 dives deep into the post-apocalyptic love story of Bill and Frank.The Last of Us Episode 3 Review: Love in the Time of Apocalypse