If the previous run didn't make you cry, better get yourself checked because that is such a wonderfully made one that will tug all your heartstrings. But what trouble lies ahead in The Last of Us Episode 4? Prepare for the next run with everything you need to know here!
Warning! This portion may contain spoilers for The Last of Us. Read at your own risk!
What Happened Before The Last of Us Episode 4?
The Last of Us Episode 3, Long, Long Time, is definitely one of the most heartfelt episodes of the whole show, to date, and possibly one throughout the history of shows like this one because clearly, how much love can do in such a world?
It starts with the adventure of Ellie and Joel as they pick up where the previous episode left, when Tess faced her demise. Both of them are dealing with the loss in their own way and as they course through the woods, Ellie clarifies that Tess made her own choice and that her death isn't her fault.
They trek a 5-hour walk and Ellie keeps pushing Joel to let her handle a gun but Joel still won't let her. They head first into a stack shack of Joel and Tess where they keep supplies for their runs and the ever so curious Ellie finds a way to amuse herself through going down a basement.
There, Ellie faces one of the infected who is trapped with the rubbles of a fallen ceiling. Ellie examines it first and then she cuts through its forehead where blood falls. As she observes him, she stabs him on his head and goes away with a box of tampons as her win.
Joel and Ellie walking once more when Ellie asks him how the cordyceps infection started. She suspected it was from monkeys but Joel explains to her that it is because of the fungi mutating, getting into the food chain, and living through those who have eaten it.
Joel further tells Ellie when it all started, the fiasco of the very first day when the outbreak hit when the people started feeling sick then turned into the infected where they started biting each other to spread it all out. In a matter of less than a week, the whole world fell apart.
Joel tries to stop Ellie from passing a painful sight but being the curious cat, Ellie continues to walk and sees a mass grave. Joel tells the painful story of the place as those buried there weren't even infected, they were those who tried to evacuate but didn't get any space in the quarantine zone, thus, they were killed.
Jumping back in time from when those in the mass grave were alive, it was the time of the outbreak and each of the houses were getting checked for survivors, even to the point of marking doors. There, Bill lives in his very own basement, waiting for everyone to go away.
Bill's fun just started and he makes their whole town his own haven of survival. He bolted up gates and refurbished a lot of stuff to have his own city, a fortress he could have, a self-sufficient place he can call home. For years, he lived alone. That is, until a man stumbled on a pit he made.
The man is rugged, one who escaped a quarantine zone that went down in days as the place got infested. Bill tests the guy if he is infected and he is negative. He is only asking for food and there, Bill lets his guard down and allows the man in.
He cooks a meal, a rabbit steak and he lets the man take a hot shower, even giving him new clothes. Bill is still observing the guy but to his surprise, then goes to his mother's piano and plays a song, Linda Ronstadt's hits are classics and it is perfect on piano!
There, the man introduces himself as Frank. Bill fully lets his guard down as they share a sweet moment together, a kiss that would forever alter the new world of Bill. They become a couple, an "us against the world duo," and they continue living in their own town for years.
At one point, they argue about whether to let people in. It turns out Frank intercepted Tess on a radio and Bill is hesitant to let Tess and Joel in. Still, he gives in on his request of Frank and they have a sumptuous meal.
While Frank and Tess go inside, Joel and Bill get to talk seriously, that they only want to trade. Even when Joel offers them some good things, Bill refuses. Meanwhile, Tess and Frank create the code of the songs, like the 80s being the one for trouble.
Frank also gets a trade with Tess for some strawberry seeds and made their own strawberry garden which Bill loves. Bill knows he and Frank can handle anything as long as they are together.
However, raiders arrive and gunshots are everywhere. That fateful night, Bill gets shot. Bill continues to ask Frank to call Joel because he wouldn't want Frank to be alone.
Thankfully, they survive. Bill and Frank live to an old age and are still together. Frank is now in a wheelchair, battling a sickness that couldn't be healed. At an old age, Frank paints and Bill takes care of him.
The day of Frank finally arrives and to the pain of Bill's heart, Frank is asking him for one last good day, the day he wants Bill to love him as he wants to. They prepare for the day, get married, eat a meal, and drink some wine, before drinking one that is drugged.
Bill couldn't just let Frank go and he is finally contented with his life. He drinks the same wine and there, the couple heads to the sleep of their lifetime.
By the time Joel and Ellie arrive, only a letter is there -- one addressed to Joel. It contains all the codes and Bill leaves everything to Joel to keep Tess safe, only now, Tess is gone. Bill reiterates to Joel that when there is one person worth saving, nothing can go wrong.
Joel steps out to take it all in while Ellie gets a hot shower, to her amazement. They change clothes and pack up everything they need, including the truck of Bill that Joel charges so they can continue with their journey. Ellie finds a gun and takes it, then hides it from Joel before they leave.
Funny enough, it is Ellie's first time in a car and everything is brand new to her. Joel puts on a Linda Ronstadt song, and they head off into the unknown while the couple remains in their bedroom, still together in death.
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The Last of Us Episode 4 Spoilers, Theories, and Leaks
The Last of Us Episode 3 have been critically acclaimed by both the audiences and the critics for the presentation of Bill and Frank and how important they are in the story of Joel and Ellie. For starters, Bill's sustainable town gets them what they need for their journey, including a truck.
Unfortunately, that spells trouble for them, too, coming in on Episode 4 as they are bound to encounter Kathleen, the ruthless leader Kansas City, Missouri's revolutionary movement and their people will do everything they can for what Joel and Ellie have.
More than the supplies that Bill and Frank's place could offer, Bill's letter to Joel also strengthens what Tess said before she died, for Joel to save Ellie because it only takes one person saved to start the saving of others. Like that of Bill, saving Frank is enough.
By Episode 4, it is also teased in the preview that Joel and Ellie's relationship is now strengthening, making a solid friendship that together, they can conquer anything, even if it means facing a revolutionary movement.
Episode 4 is expected to be one of the shortest episodes in the series and while time does not seem a problem in The Last of Us, it only hints at a jam-packed episode that would once again cater to the fans what they want while staying faithful to the source material.
Possibly, Joel and Ellie may soon encounter Tommy as well. It has been teased in previous previews and still hasn't arrived yet in the series. That is a potential scene, too, in the next episode.
Where to Watch The Last of Us Episode 4?
The Last of Us is exclusively releasing on HBO and HBO Max where one can get a roster of the shows of the streaming platform for a plan starting at $9.99 per month to $15.99 per month following the price hike and depending on the inclusions of the plan whether it has advertisements or not.
When is the Release Date and Time of The Last of Us Episode 4?
The Last of Us Episode 4 is slated for release on HBO and HBO Max on February 5, 2023 at 9 PM EST/ 6 PM PT. Subtitles will also be available with the episode release.
The Last of Us Episode 4 is expected to have 50 minutes, the shortest one yet to release for the series.
The Last of Us Episode 4 Countdown
The Last of Us Episode 4 Countdown
Find out more about The Last of Us Episode 4 here on EpicStream!
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