Episode 3 of TLOU was pretty much the reason I subscribed to the series. I’d heard they had a survivalist character from the game that was going to be shown and I wanted to see how it went. And, lets get the elephant in the room outta the way, the survivalist dude was gay. Ho-hum.
As the episode opens, we see an awesome hidden basement strong room, a man having an entire town to himself, all-you-can-take shopping trips, perimeter defense construction, active defense, and, ultimately, self-deletion.
Personally, other than ‘bugging in’ right in the middle of town, I thought it was pretty good. I really admired the secret entrance to the basement and the radio codes. Not sure I’d have been running around with a 7-shot 1911 and a shotgun, but you do you, man. (I mean, c’mon, theres an FAL right there on the wall!)
Was there anything to take away from the episode? Not really, in my opinion, except that apparently when all the other humans are forcibly relocated out of your AO, you can have a pretty nice quiet life. And, sooner or later, someone will want what you have and you’d best be ready to stand or run.
It’s unfortunate Bill won’t be a recurring character, but it was nice to see survivalists portrayed in a somewhat more sympathetic light.
Bill’s character definitely presented a far better version of preparedness-oriented individuals than most cinematic efforts include.
Even Kevin Bacon’s character in “Leave the World Behind” would be viewed by many as a being a profiteer for selling medicine to Ethan Hawke and Mahershala Ali for $1,000.00 under the circumstances. Of course, we were never told what the actual medication was, and we have no idea of what it was worth in normal times. The average viewer, however, will consider him to have taken advantage of the situation.
My only critique of Bill in “The Last of Us” was his defensive tactics. Here’s some free advice for Bill.. DO NOT leave cover and concealment under any circumstances in order to stand like “Horatius at the bridge” in the open while firing a shotgun into the night. This would be a bad and unhealthy thing most of the time.
I really liked the bunker at the end of Leave The World Behind. The movie not so much. Not good OPSEC with it being so visible, plus access by a person not familiar with how to gain access was too easy, Reminded me of a couple of years ago when Zillow or Realtor.com showed a place with a vault.bunker