Was Bill Gay in The Last of Us?

Within the third installment of HBO’s The Last of Us, specifically the episode titled “Long, Long Time,” viewers are introduced to the figures of Bill and Frank, a same-sex couple who are depicted residing in the town of Lincoln, numerous years after the cordyceps pandemic had decimated the global populace. Beyond its status as one of the most critically acclaimed installments of the series, this particular episode also signifies the most significant divergence from the initial video game, fundamentally altering numerous elements of this specific chapter as presented in the source material. Given such profound modifications, particularly concerning the depiction of Bill and Frank’s relationship, it prompts queries from some regarding Bill's actual sexual orientation within The Last of Us video game.

Conceived during the nascent period of the 2010s and officially launched in 2013, The Last of Us emerged prior to an era during which extensive conversations regarding diverse representation had truly entered mainstream awareness. During the second installment of The Last of Us – The Official Podcast, specifically the segment titled “Summer Part 2,” game director Neil Druckmann openly admitted that the concept of representation was not foremost in his mind at the point of Bill's character's inception, and, moreover, that Frank had been conceptualized merely as a “best friend.” Rather, it was Bill's voice actor, W. Earl Brown, who subtly introduced elements of queerness into the persona following the initial script, subsequent to Druckmann granting him the latitude to shape their dynamic during a table read session.

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Consequently, Bill’s queer identity is considerably more implicit within the video game than it is portrayed in the television series; yet it is, nevertheless, undeniably evident in the game and constitutes a pivotal facet of his personality. The most significant indications suggesting Bill's homosexual orientation involve his connection with Frank, alongside a specific periodical which Ellie pilfers from his concealed collection located in the church's subterranean level; both of these clues are easily overlooked by gamers who do not participate in supplementary content or fail to observe with sufficient scrutiny.

A particular piece of evidence suggesting the queer bond between Bill and Frank becomes apparent near the conclusion of the 'Bill’s Town' segment within the 2013 release of The Last of Us, at which point Ellie, Joel, and Bill discover Frank’s remains inside a derelict dwelling.

At this juncture, Bill designates him as his “partner,” and while he may outwardly pretend indifference, the visible moisture in his eyes unmistakably indicates genuine sorrow. Subsequent to this cinematic sequence, Joel is able to locate a correspondence penned by Frank within the contiguous sleeping quarter, which offers further illumination regarding their bond. While this message could conceivably be interpreted as originating from a long-time companion, it appears more congruent when perceived as being from a romantic partner who has grown weary of their companion's “fixed habits” or stubbornness. Additionally, players have the option to present this communication to Bill during an elective dialogue sequence, thereby revealing deeper layers of melancholy underlying Bill’s seemingly severe pronouncements, a nuance expertly delivered through W. Earl Brown’s superb vocal portrayal.

Soon after completing the 'Bill’s Town' segment within the game, as Ellie and Joel commence their journey towards Tommy’s locale, Ellie retrieves a magazine she had previously pilfered from Bill’s concealed collection. Although gamers are never afforded an unobstructed view of the publication itself, the cover art, coupled with the duo’s ensuing discussion about its contents, makes it unequivocally apparent that this item is an adult-oriented periodical showcasing imagery of undressed and minimally clothed males, thereby providing players with the most substantial indication regarding Bill’s sexual orientation.

Therefore, while Bill does embody a queer persona within The Last of Us video game, the substantiating proof is subject to varying interpretations and necessitates that players keenly analyze the characters' vocal nuances and expressions in order to fully discern the profound nature of Bill and Frank’s relationship. Owing to the expanded narrative breadth of the HBO television series, supporting roles, such as Bill and Frank, are afforded extended screen time, thereby enabling the screenwriters to introduce more overt alterations to The Last of Us and, notably for Neil Druckmann, to re-engage with the narrative with a heightened focus on portraying affirmative queer representation.

The Last of Us Part 1is presently solely available on the PlayStation 5 console, with a personal computer release scheduled for the third of March, 2023. The HBO adaptation of The Last of Us can be accessed for streaming via HBO Max.

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