The Last of Us Fans Still Aren’t Over Its Saddest Standalone Episode

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HBO’s The Last of Us is widely considered one of the greatest TV shows of all time, and one episode, released three years ago, remains particularly moving. Based on the popular Naughty Dog video game, the series follows Joel Miller (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) as they travel across a post-apocalyptic world destroyed by a fungal outbreak that turns people into zombie-like beings. Even with its dark and dangerous setting, The Last of Us also featured deeply personal and touching scenes.

While the infected creatures were a key part of the world of The Last of Us, the show wasn’t really about them. Creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann prioritized developing complex characters and a realistic, harsh world. Although Joel and Ellie were central, other characters also had significant moments. A prime example is the episode “Long, Long Time” (Season 1, Episode 3), which focused on Bill and Frank and became arguably the most heartbreaking and unforgettable part of the series, despite being largely self-contained.

“Long, Long Time” Is The Last of Us’ Saddest Episode

The first episode of “Long, Long Time,” which premiered on January 29, 2023, begins with Joel and Ellie traveling to Bill’s house to gather supplies. Along the way, they find a heap of skeletons, and Joel reveals that the military quickly eliminated survivors to conserve resources.

The story then flashes back to Lincoln, Massachusetts, in 2003, as the outbreak begins, focusing on Bill, a man prepared for survival. Once the army leaves his area, Bill quickly gathers supplies from local stores and uses them to fortify his home with a generator, an electric fence, and various traps.

Four years pass, and Frank is lured into a situation that leads to a romantic and sexual connection with Bill. They share a meal and Frank playfully sings Linda Ronstadt’s “Long, Long Time” on the piano as their relationship blossoms. For more than ten years, Bill and Frank enjoy a happy and generally secure life together, and their paths eventually intersect with .

I was deeply moved by the film. It centers around Frank, who’s battling a debilitating illness, and his husband, Bill. As Frank’s health declines, he asks Bill for help ending his life, and they plan to do so together after getting married. What really struck me was Bill’s response – he secretly adds something to his own drink, admitting he simply can’t imagine living without Frank. The way the film showed their love story unfold was just breathtakingly beautiful, and their final moments together were incredibly poignant.

Both Offerman and Bartlett gave exceptional performances. Offerman won a Primetime Emmy Award for his work, and Bartlett was also nominated for the same award.

“Long, Long Time” Was Never a Part of The Last of Us’ Video Game

The episode “Long, Long Time” is particularly impactful because this storyline wasn’t present in the original game. While Bill appeared in the 2013 game – voiced by W. Earl Brown – he was a minor character, simply a smuggler in Lincoln who lent Joel and Ellie a vehicle.

We don’t know anything about Bill’s life before he meets Frank, and the story doesn’t suggest a romantic history. The HBO series gave Bill a much larger role and introduced Frank as a character for the first time. The show’s creator, Craig Mazin, wanted to build on Bill’s story from the original game, believing it would allow for a more in-depth look at love and joy, and also emphasize how time passes and how isolated everyone’s lives become in this post-apocalyptic setting.

Frank’s presence helped Bill open up, and their relationship—a significant same-sex romance—was a groundbreaking addition to a hugely popular TV show. This storyline might never have been told if not for the adaptation. The original video game didn’t include it, so featuring Bill and Frank’s romance in the TV series made the show especially moving and unique.

Seeing Bill and Frank’s relationship unfold and ultimately share a poignant end was deeply moving, creating a 75-minute television experience that will stay with viewers for a long time.

The Last of Us Could Expand in More Standalone Stories

. It Ellie and Dina (Isabela Merced) ventured into Seattle.

As a huge fan of The Last of Us, I thought Season 2’s episode “The Price” tried to explore the growing distance between Joel and Ellie, and honestly, it felt a little like it was just moving the main plot forward. It reminded me of how amazing “Long, Long Time” was – that episode felt like a complete, self-contained story, and really showed how strong this show can be when it focuses on standalone narratives. “Long, Long Time” still feels like the gold standard for what future episodes of The Last of Us could achieve.

Bill and Frank demonstrated that compelling stories can be built around characters we’ve never seen before, potentially even launching a spin-off series. Viewers can become just as invested in these new characters, or even more so, than in the show’s main heroes. Episodes like “Long, Long Time,” “Left Behind,” “Endure and Survive,” and “The Price” have shown that self-contained stories outside the main plot can be incredibly effective.

I’m still completely captivated by Bill and Frank’s story, and so many others are too, even years later. I really think the show should build on that connection as it moves forward. No matter what happens in future seasons, I have a feeling “Long, Long Time” will always be remembered as the most heartbreaking episode of The Last of Us.

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2026-05-12 00:42