A ‘heartbreaking’ episode of a hit HBO series has left viewers in tears.
The network behind a long list of binge-worthy TV shows such as Game of Thrones and White Lotus now has another drama that people can’t stop raving about.
Left so emotional by the program’s third episode, people are branding it an ‘absolute masterpiece.’
Praising the installment, one viewer writes: “This episode will probably go down in history as one of the greatest episodes of television ever made.”
Another adds: “That was one of the most beautiful pieces of TV I’ve ever seen.”
“I am never going to be the same again after that episode,” a third comments.
Someone else writes: “One of the best episodes of television I have ever watched. Absolute masterpiece.”
Critics feel exactly the same way, with Den of Geek‘s Bernard Boo penning: “This is one of the best episodes of television in recent memory.”
Annie Banks for Chuck Load of Comics comments: “HBO’s breathtakingly impressive execution of what is alleged to be one of the greatest video stories so far has masterfully captured the unshakable emotional weight of loss, grief, perseverance, and hope.”
The episode’s impact shows in its impressive Rotten Tomatoes score of 98%.
The Emmy award-winning drama, created by Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, is based on a video game franchise by Naughty Dog.
It’s set years into a pandemic caused by a mass fungal infection, causing its host to transform into zombie-like creatures.
The first season follows a smuggler tasked with escorting a teenager across a post-apocalyptic United States.
In episode three – which has everyone talking – two new characters are introduced.
It follows Bill (Nick Offerman) and Frank (Murray Bartlett), who fall in love amid the doom and chaos of the post-apocalyptic world.
The episode has received a ton of praise for exploring a beautiful romance, which has left some viewers emotional.
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, one fan comments: “This episode was way better than just killing zombies, it was human, it was beautiful. Gonna be forever crying, love Bill and Frank.”
“I am never going to be the same again (in a good way),” shares another.
Reflecting on the episode, Peter Hoar, its director, tells GQ: “Science fiction is at its best when it teaches what it means to be human.
“A bond develops that’s so deep, and so purposeful, and so meaningful to both men that they didn’t see coming. A classic love story is one thing, but a love story set against that world is another. And I just thought, I’ve never seen that.”
Bartlett revealed in a chat with Deadline that his performance was inspired by his real-life partner Matt.
“Our relationship was a bit of a reference point for what [Offerman] and I were doing in the episode,” the actor explained.
“Because I was saying this to Nick, that we are both lucky to be in relationships where we found a partner that we have an incredible bond with, and we feel this deep love. So, we were familiar with that, and we could bring that experience to what we were doing in episode three.”
The Last of Us, critically acclaimed by critics, also stars Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey.
Its second series is set to premiere in 2025.
