"The Last Of Us" Episode 3 Features A Small Detail From Bill's Letter That Is So Good, But You Might've Missed It

There are obviously MASSIVE spoilers ahead for The Last of Us Episode 3. This post also contains mentions of suicide.

So, if you're like me, then you probably still haven't fully recovered from The Last of Us Episode 3, aka "Long, Long Time," which was written by Craig Mazin and directed by Peter Hoar.

Bill holding Frank and saying to him, "I was never afraid before you showed up"
HBO

This episode followed Bill (Nick Offerman) and Frank's (Murray Bartlett) beautiful love story as it played out over the course of several years. They survived the end of the world by finding each other, and it was arguably one of the best TV episodes of all time.

Bill and Frank sitting by a piano holding each other's hand

This episode expanded on Bill and Frank's story from the video games, marking one of the first big story changes for the TV show.

Liane Hentscher / HBO

I literally can't listen to Linda Ronstadt's "Long, Long Time" without crying now.

The song has seen a 4,900% increase in Spotify streams after the episode dropped. Similar to Kate Bush's

Of course, the real heartbreaking moment in this episode comes toward the end, when Frank decides to die by suicide as his health deteriorates, and Bill joins him because he's lived a good life and can't imagine a world without Frank. I'm fine. It's fine.

  HBO
HBO

Then, long after Bill and Frank have died in each other's arms in their bedroom, Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) arrive at their home and discover what happened.

  HBO
HBO

Ellie reads a letter left by Bill for Joel, which includes Bill telling him that the right people are worth fighting for. However, Ellie doesn't make it to the end of the note after Bill mentions that Joel should try to keep Tess (Anna Torv) safe.

Of course, Tess tragically died at the end of Episode 2.

Of course, Tess tragically died at the end of Episode 2.

HBO

After Joel snatches the letter from Ellie, the camera focuses in on the words "Tess safe." However, if you look closely, you can figure out what Bill's final words in the letter are, and they're truly beautiful.

  HBO
HBO

When you pause, you can see that Bill wrote, "I recommend pairing" and then the last word appears to be a type of wine — Brunello perhaps?

  HBO
HBO

In Episode 3, Bill and Frank's love story kicks off when Bill invites Frank into his home for a meal, where Frank is impressed that Bill knew to pair rabbit with a Beaujolais red wine.

  HBO
HBO

Then, for their final meal together, Bill re-creates the first meal they ever shared: rabbit with the Beaujolais red wine.

  HBO
HBO

I find it absolutely adorable that Bill's final words to Joel were him recommending a wine pairing for Joel and Tess, in the hope that they find the same love he shared with Frank. Bill just didn't want Joel to be alone.

I mean, look, the pairing and meal literally brought Bill and Frank closer together.

I mean, look, the pairing and meal literally brought Bill and Frank closer together.

HBO

And just to keep adding to the Bill and Frank Easter eggs pain, this Twitter user brilliantly pointed out that Joel says Bill's radio played '80s music if he didn't reset the countdown every few weeks. In Episode 1, it was revealed that '80s music signified danger and we hear "Never Let Me Down Again" by Depeche Mode at the very end, meaning Bill and Frank have been dead for weeks by the time Joel and Ellie get to their house.

Of course, Easter eggs have already become very important in The Last of Us, with Episode 1 and 2 having many, especially ones that are callbacks to the original video games.

  HBO / Naughty Dog
HBO / Naughty Dog

Anyway, I won't be over Bill and Frank anytime soon, and I absolutely adore the little detail in Bill's letter to Joel.

  Liane Hentscher / HBO
Liane Hentscher / HBO

What did you think of The Last of Us Episode 3? Tell us everything in the comments below!