What is Frank Dying of in The Last of Us?
Frank is dying of an unspecified degenerative neuromuscular disorder, which is implied to be either Multiple Sclerosis (MS) or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), as stated by Craig Mazin, the co-creator of The Last of Us, in the official podcast. This condition has left Frank unable to move, paint, or live the life he wants, ultimately leading him to make the difficult decision to end his life after becoming infected with the Cordyceps virus.
Understanding Frank’s Condition
Frank’s condition is a pivotal aspect of his character development and plays a significant role in the storyline of The Last of Us. The show’s portrayal of Frank’s illness and his subsequent decision to end his life has sparked important discussions about palliative care, euthanasia, and the human right to die with dignity.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What disease is Frank in The Last of Us?
Frank has an unspecified degenerative neuromuscular disorder, which is either MS or early ALS, as stated by Craig Mazin in the official The Last of Us podcast.
2. What killed Frank from The Last of Us?
Frank was bitten and infected while still in Lincoln, and he committed suicide to avoid turning into a Clicker.
3. What does Bill put in Frank’s wine?
Bill puts painkillers in Frank’s wine, allowing them to fall asleep together and ultimately end Frank’s life peacefully.
4. How does Joel die?
Joel is murdered in The Last of Us Part II by Abby, the daughter of the Firefly surgeon Joel killed in the first game.
5. Who is Joel killed by?
Joel is killed by Abby, whose father he had killed in the first game, prompting Ellie to seek revenge.
6. Does Joel die getting stabbed?
No, Joel does not die in The Last of Us Episode 6, despite his injury meaning significant things for the coming episodes.
7. Why did Frank hate Bill?
Frank and Bill had a fallout, with Frank weary of Bill’s staunch survivalist rules and limits, leading Frank to steal some of Bill’s supplies during an attempt to leave town.
8. What did Bill and Frank eat?
Bill cooked a meal of rabbit, vegetables, and wine for Frank, which they enjoyed together during a candlelit dinner and a piano singalong.
9. What’s the point of Bill and Frank in The Last of Us?
Bill and Frank are middle-aged gay men who find each other after the apocalypse and build a full and beautiful life together, finding purpose in each other.
10. Was Joel in love with Tess?
Joel and Tess’ relationship in The Last of Us has always been uncertain, with subtle quips implying they were romantically involved.
11. How long after Bill and Frank died did Joel show up?
Joel appeared a couple of weeks later with Ellie, after Bill and Frank’s deaths.
12. Were Frank and Bill in the game?
In the game, we meet Bill only briefly, as protagonists Joel and Ellie pass through his town, and discover that Bill’s romantic partner, Frank, died by suicide after becoming infected.
13. Why couldn’t Frank walk in The Last of Us?
Frank’s symptoms from his degenerative neuromuscular disorder had left him unable to move, paint, or live how he wanted to live.
14. Where is Frank’s body in The Last of Us?
After hours of gameplay and combat, Joel and Bill discover a corpse hanging in a house, which Bill confirms is Frank, his partner.
15. Did Frank have Parkinson’s in The Last of Us?
There is no explicit mention of Frank having Parkinson’s disease in The Last of Us, although his symptoms are similar to those of Parkinson’s or ALS.