Long, Long Time (The Last of Us)

"Long, Long Time"
The Last of Us episode
A bedroom window framed by curtains, with a painting and dying plant to the left, in mid-afternoon.
The final crane shot of Bill and Frank's bedroom was inspired by the video game's title screen,[1] signifying promise and loss[2] and allowing a final moment with the characters.[3]
Episode no.Season 1
Episode 3
Directed byPeter Hoar
Written byCraig Mazin
Produced by
  • Greg Spence
  • Cecil O'Connor
Featured music
Various
Cinematography byEben Bolter
Editing byTimothy A. Good
Original air dateJanuary 29, 2023 (2023-01-29)
Running time75 minutes[4]
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
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The Last of Us season 1
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"Long, Long Time" is the third episode of the first season of the American post-apocalyptic drama television series The Last of Us. The episode was written by series co-creator Craig Mazin and directed by Peter Hoar. It aired on HBO on January 29, 2023. In the episode, Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) travel to Lincoln, Massachusetts, to find Bill (Nick Offerman). Flashbacks follow Bill over twenty years as he survives in his town and meets his partner Frank (Murray Bartlett). The episode's title is taken from the 1970 song by Linda Ronstadt, which plays an important role in Bill and Frank's relationship.

Mazin wanted to expand on Bill's story from the video game; he felt it allowed a deeper look at love, happiness, and the passage of time. Filming for the episode took place in the former Beachwood area of High River, Alberta, in September 2021; production designer John Paino and his team constructed the town of Lincoln in around six to twelve weeks. Critics overwhelmingly considered the episode the season's best, with Offerman and Bartlett's performances, Mazin's writing, and Hoar's direction receiving particular praise. It was watched by 6.4 million viewers on its first day. The episode received several awards, including Hoar for Outstanding Directing at the Directors Guild of America Awards and Offerman won Outstanding Guest Actor at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards, which Bartlett was also nominated for.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference SlashFilm Bolter was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Podcast was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference GamesRadar Ending was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference THR S1 Review was invoked but never defined (see the help page).