The Last of Us Season 2: Unleashing an Epic Saga Beyond Bill & Frank's Episode

The Last of Us season 2 acknowledges that it cannot surpass the highly acclaimed Bill and Frank episode from season 1, and it seems like a wise decision. In season 1, the focus was primarily on Joel's mission to take Ellie to the Fireflies and the development of their father-daughter bond. However, there were two standalone episodes that deviated from this storyline: episode 3, "Long, Long Time," which depicted the tragic love story of Bill and Frank, and episode 7, "Left Behind," which delved into Ellie's heartbreaking backstory with her best friend and love interest, Riley.

Co-showrunner Craig Mazin addressed these special episodes of The Last of Us, explaining that season 2 will not exploit the audience's affection for Bill and Frank. Rather than revealing specific details about season 2, Mazin cryptically stated, "What you won't see is, for instance, another very special episode with Bill and Frank." Instead of diminishing the impact of the exceptional episodes from season 1, season 2 will explore new territory. Nevertheless, considering the flashback-heavy structure of The Last of Us Part II, season 2 still has the potential to deliver another remarkable standalone episode like "Long, Long Time" or "Left Behind."

The Last Of Us Season 2 Would Struggle To Outdo Bill & Frank With A Special Episode

"The episode 'Long, Long Time' was not only an integral part of the overarching narrative, but also a poignant hour of television in its own right. Its beauty and impact were so profound that it would be challenging for The Last of Us season 2 to surpass it. Therefore, bringing back characters such as Bill and Frank would serve no purpose. Although they are beloved, their story was already fully explored, from their initial encounter in the post-apocalyptic world to their untimely demise. Including them in another episode would be a mere exploitation of the audience's attachment.

Furthermore, the episode featuring Bill and Frank was unexpected and diverged significantly from the original source material. In the game, Frank is only briefly mentioned, and their relationship is left ambiguous. This departure from the norm allowed the story to shift away from Joel and Ellie early on, captivating viewers with the strength of Bill and Frank's love story. However, attempting to replicate this success in a similar standalone installment in season 2 is unlikely to surprise viewers in the same way. Therefore, duplicating the impact of that particular episode may prove elusive."

The Last Of Us Season 2 Can Still Beat Season 1 Without Another Special Episode

The Last of Us Part II contains several flashback sequences that can be developed independently into their own episodes, unlike Bill and Frank who are best left untouched in The Last of Us season 2. Among these flashbacks, one stands out with the potential to rival the romance of Bill and Frank, and that is the sequence where Joel takes Ellie to an aerospace museum for her birthday. This particular flashback showcases Joel's deep affection for Ellie during a crucial point in the game's central revenge storyline. It provides an unexpected yet captivating moment that has the potential to resonate as strongly as the acclaimed episodes "Long, Long Time" and "Left Behind."