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The Last of Us Episode 3 heavily adapted the game for Bill and Frank’s storyline. Frank was ill, but what was it?

Something The Last of Us* Episode 3 did with Frank and Bill’s storyline was show us some of the other dangers of an apocalyptic world. While everyone is trying to simply avoid the infected creatures outside, there are still many other illnesses that create a threat.

Medication is difficult to get. Any sort of medical care is next to impossible. A lot of TV shows give us the look of how gunshots, stab wounds, and broken bones or sprains can cause problems. What they don’t do is show us what other, somewhat serious illnesses and disabilities can do.

Episode 3 changed that. Frank was ill, and he decided the only way to was to kill himself rather than risk being a liability to Bill. What was his illness?

Frank had Parkinson’s Disease in The Last of Us

There was no cure for Frank’s illness at all. The Last of Us brought in something that doesn’t have a cure in the real world, and with the show being set in 2023, it only made sense to keep the lack of medication and cure in the story.

Frank was developing tremors and muscle stiffness. He had all the signs of Parkinson’s Disease, and he knew what that would mean. He wouldn’t have the ability to look after himself in the future, not in a post-apocalyptic world. There was always the risk of him not being able to hold a gun should the infected get in, leading to him being infected too.

So, he decided to take his own life. He wanted a big day with Bill first. The two deserved that wedding, and then he could take his own life and go out on his own terms. Bill followed suit, knowing he couldn’t live without the love of his life.

MORE: Are Bill and Frank in the game?

What did you think of adding in Frank’s illness in the show? What did you get from this storyline? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

The Last of Us airs Sundays on HBO Max in the U.S. and on Crave in Canada.