The creators of ‘The Last of Us’ explain why they changed Bill’s story

The third episode of The Last of Us has been, without a doubt, the most emotional of the series so far. The audience agrees that the chapter, focused mainly on the figures of Bill and Frank, contains a great emotional charge combining happiness with sadness. However, it is also true that, in order to set up the story between the two characters, the showrunners were forced to alter the events of the video game.

While it is true that Bill does appear in Naughty Dog’s original work, this one does not delve into his personal history. Also, Frank has no presence in The Last of Us Part 1. Despite the above, Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann managed to create a completely new narrative around these characters, but without significantly altering Joel and Ellie’s journey.

I mention “significantly” because, if you’ve already been able to enjoy The Last of Us Part 1you may remember that Ellie gets to meet Bill. In the The Last of Uson the contrary, that does not happen. The character played by Nick Offerman is already dead when the protagonists arrive home.

So… Why did the showrunners dare to slightly change the events of the game? In an interview with ET, Craig Mazin said the idea was his.. However, Neil Druckmann agreed.

Mazin’s goal was, quite simply, to give Bill a purpose. A deeper one with real meaning for everything that happens in a post-apocalyptic world. He also pointed out that he decided to follow a more complex narrative path because, in the The Last of Us Part 1, the sequence with Bill is, almost entirely, a playable experience. This can hardly be adapted.

“It was something I proposed to Neil because I thought there was an opportunity there. In Bill’s section in the game, a lot of it is based on gameplay, and obviously we don’t have that. [en la serie]. But Bill was unique. He had created a safe environment and I was fascinated with the idea of having someone who had eliminated the main problem and was safe.But then what?”

The Last of Us is the premiere of the year and you can only watch it on HBO Max.

The Last of Us is the premiere of the year and you can only watch it on HBO Max.

It was at this point that the option came to Mazin’s mind that Bill might have some kind of romantic relationship To develop it further. “I loved that there was this hint of a relationship, and I suggested we show something else. I wanted to present what love was like as a product of commitment. What it was like to be middle-aged and in love. I also wanted to capture the passage of time and a conclusion that showed us both sides of what love is.”

In the end, the creative was able to realize an episode that was as wonderful as it was moving. Moreover, the purpose Bill found in meeting Frank is perfectly transferable to Joel and Ellie. In the last moments of the episode, Pedro Pascal’s character realizes that It’s worth taking the risk and protecting the minor. Thus, as the first season of The Last of Uswill manage to create a bond similar to that of father and daughter.