Warning: The following episode contains spoilers last of usEpisode 7: “Left Behind.”
Anyone who’s been keeping up-to-date with the thrilling adventures of HBO’s Joel and Ellie last of us Will already be well aware that the show’s third episode, “Long, Long Time,” was severely lacking in dad jokes from the surprising comedic duo. That’s because the entire focus went to Nick Offerman’s bill for the entire 50 minutes, who gamers will know from Naughty Dog’s PlayStation exclusive as a hardened survivor that Joel and Ellie fatefully run into on their way to Firefly base camp.
In the game, Bill is an invaluable ally to the pair, providing them with resources and information. Offerman’s portrayal has changed slightly in the television adaptation, but the lore remains the same. Naughty Dog’s rendition implied that Bill is gay, given the way he refers to his former partner, Frank, who we meet as Murray Bartlett in the HBO version.
Without reopening old wounds too soon, the long and short of it is that Bill and Frank slowly fall in love and live a long, prosperous and satisfying life together. In his old age, Frank is diagnosed with a terminal illness that is slowly killing him, so the couple decide to die together – as the universe had intended. It’s a sweet, heartwarming story, especially for members of the LGBTQ+ community, who are underrepresented in modern media.
Naturally, the episode received backlash from those who deemed Bill and Frank’s prologue “boring” and made it clear that the episode would be “skippable” during a rewatch. seems with last of us‘ As of the latest episode, “Left Behind” (which cleverly borrows its title from Naughty Dog’s DLC of the same name), that history is repeating itself.
Ellie’s childhood best friend will be familiar to those who indulge in the DLC. In a side story, the aforementioned Riley brings Ellie to an abandoned mall inside Boston. While inside, the pair play mortal KombatExplore the different stores and even find yourself a photo booth to freeze your memories forever. Throughout the episode, we gradually realize that Ellie has romantic feelings for Riley, which come to a head when she boldly leans in to kiss him. Although she later apologizes, Riley reassures her that she has nothing to be sorry for. That’s when things take a turn for the worse and the girls get ambushed by a bunch of runners. In the end, both are bitten, revealing that Ellie is immune.
In regards to the criticism aimed at “Long, Long Time”, Ramsey recently gave an interview gq uk, She made it clear that she doesn’t get swayed by the opinions of others, nor does she have time to get up close-minded on progressive representation for all. Ramsey made a statement that took pity on those who will be missing last of us Based solely on homophobic ignorance.
“I know people will think what they want to think. But they have to get used to it. If you don’t want to watch the show because it has gay stories, because it has a trans character, that’s on you, and you’re missing out.” It doesn’t scare me. I think that comes from a place of defiance.
talking to Vanity Fair, newcomer Storm Reid (Riley) touched on the fact that “Left Behind” will undoubtedly trigger some homophobic backlash, just as “Long, Long Time” did a few weeks earlier. Despite this, she stands in alliance with Ramsey and his previous comments, urging that there are much bigger problems in the world than same-sex content on television. She also mentions how they will be much more positive than negative in response to “Left Behind” and any future developments in Ellie’s character – who is canonically gay. And Reid has stood by this mindset for many other interviews, never changing her tune.
I think Bella put it perfectly a few weeks ago: “If you don’t like it, don’t watch.” There are too many other things in the world to worry about. I think it’s absurd of me to be concerned about who people love. I just don’t – I’ll never understand it. I didn’t get. I think despite what people are going to say, if they don’t like it, I think there will be a lot of other people who appreciate it. Many more people who feel represented and seen and heard. So that’s what matters. This is where it comes in handy. And only then it is appreciated, and you prioritize seeing tweets that are not the best.
And there you have it; Bella Ramsey and Storm Reid are in full support of HBO’s sensitive and inclusive approach to LGBTQ+ topics on the show. If “Long, Long Time” and “Left Behind” Are Any Indication, a Second Season Will Be Favorable The Last of Us: Part II To a T, that means it’s only getting gay from here on out.