Warning: spoilers ahead for The Last of Us episode 3.
The Last of Us episode 3 has sparked adulation and tears from viewers around the world, as they were introduced to new characters Bill (Nick Offerman) and Frank (Murray Bartlett).
In a departure from the video game series of the same name, the TV show’s depiction of the characters saw them live together into old age after falling in love just a few years after the start of the fungal infection outbreak.
In 2023, the present day of the story, Frank is suffering from an incurable illness, leaving him so weak that he sits in a wheelchair during the day, and has to regularly take medicine.
Considering in the video game, Frank dies after being infected, this marked a significant difference to his story, with some fans wondering what disease he had in the TV adaptation, considering his condition was never specified.
However, Craig Mazin, one of the showrunners of the post-apocalyptic drama, addressed this while speaking on HBO’s official companion podcast.
What disease does Frank have in The Last of Us?
Craig, who co-created the programme alongside Neil Druckmann, the game’s writer and creative director, explained that they wanted to refrain from specifically mentioning exactly what condition Frank was suffering from.
‘We didn’t necessarily want to specify for the audience, it was either MS [multiple sclerosis] or ALS [amyotrophic lateral sclerosis] but it was a degenerative neuromuscular disorder,’ he outlined.
Craig shared how they thought it would be ‘interesting’ to have the scene where Frank appears to be in better physical shape than Bill, when the latter is struggling to keep up when running around their neighbourhood, followed by a time jump that showed the former with deteriorating health.
‘We thought it was really interesting to think, “Look, Bill is older and Frank can literally run circles around him, he’s healthier,”’ he stated.
‘And then we jump ahead a number of years and it’s Frank who’s been brought low by this disease and there’s nothing they can do about it.’
In the year 2023 in The Last of Us, Frank asks Bill to help him end his own life, as he’s decided when his final day will be.
Bill breaks down in tears at the thought, but does relent in the end, after they share a beautiful day together, which includes the couple getting married.
In the end, Bill chooses for his life to end at the same time as Frank, and so they peacefully die while holding each other in their bed with the window open, with Bill leaving a note for Joel (Pedro Pascal) to find explaining the decision that they’ve made.
How many episodes are in The Last of Us season 1?
There are set to be nine episodes in total for the first season of The Last of Us.
With each instalment coming out weekly, the finale will air on Sunday March 12 in the US on HBO, and on Monday March 13 in the UK on Sky and NOW.
Will The Last of Us be back for season 2?
Yes! The Last of Us will officially be returning for a second season, after it was recently announced that the programme had been renewed.
‘I’m humbled, honoured, and frankly overwhelmed that so many people have tuned in and connected with our retelling of Joel and Ellie’s journey. The collaboration with Craig Mazin, our incredible cast & crew, and HBO exceeded my already high expectations,’ said Neil.
‘Now we have the absolute pleasure of being able to do it again with season two! On behalf of everyone at Naughty Dog & PlayStation, thank you!’
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The Last of Us is available to watch on Sky and NOW, with new episodes released on Mondays.
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