In episode three of HBO's series The Last of Us, lovers Bill (Nick Offerman) and Frank (Murray Bartlett) take center stage to show audiences a striking love story in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. Bill, a conspiracy theory survivalist, and Frank, the interloper who fell into his trap, share decades of love against all odds. Craig Mazin, co-creator of The Last of Us, wanted to demonstrate different kinds of love in this dystopia, and discussed how he wanted to “illuminate a little bit of what the time was like between outbreak day and the [present day] in the show, but [he likes to do that] through the lens of relationships as much as possible.” Unfortunately, their journey ends in tragedy when they both take their own lives in order to escape the wasteland they’ve been living in.

Nick Offerman also plays an important part in The Last of Us, bringing questions about representation of members of the LGBTQ+ community in media. While Offerman is not part of the LGBTQ+ community, he is a vocal advocate for the queer community, using his privilege to help those who aren't given the same chances. Offerman believes that mediums such as theater, film, and television should “represent the underrepresented” when it comes to gender, queer, and race issues.

The Last of Us provides an especially heartbreaking love story, while also ensuring genuine representation of the LGBTQ+ community. In a world as chaotic and unpredictable as this one, few things are more precious than the time we get to spend with the ones we love.