What was Frank dying of in The Last of Us?
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Frank was dying of a degenerative neuromuscular disorder, which was either multiple sclerosis (MS) or early amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), in The Last of Us, as mentioned by co-creator Craig Mazin. This unspecified illness had left Frank wheelchair-bound and frail, unable to move, paint, or live the life he wanted, ultimately leading him to make the difficult decision to end his life after being bitten by an infected.
FAQs
About Frank’s Condition
- What disease is Frank in The Last of Us?: Frank has an unspecified neuromuscular disorder, which is either MS or early ALS, as stated by Craig Mazin in the official podcast.
- How does Frank die in Episode 3 of The Last of Us?: Frank dies by hanging himself after being bitten by an infected, rather than turning into a shambling monster.
- What is the disease in The Last of Us episode 3?: Based on Frank’s symptoms, it is suggested that he developed Parkinson’s disease, a condition that affects the brain and has no cure.
- Why is Frank sick in The Last of Us episode 3?: Frank is sick due to an unspecified degenerative neuromuscular disorder, which had left him wheelchair-bound and frail.
About Bill and Frank’s Relationship
- Were Bill and Frank in the game?: In the game, Bill is a solo character, but it is mentioned that he had a romantic partner, Frank, who died by suicide after becoming infected.
- Why did Frank hate Bill?: Frank and Bill had a fallout, with Frank becoming weary of Bill’s staunch survivalist rules and limits.
- What did Bill and Frank drink in The Last of Us?: Bill and Frank shared a bottle of Louis Jadot Beaujolais Villages “Combe aux Jacques” during their first meeting.
About the Storyline
- How did Frank get infected in The Last of Us?: Frank was bitten and infected while trying to leave Lincoln, where he had made arrangements to meet a smuggler who would sneak him into the Boston quarantine zone.
- Why did Frank choose to die in The Last of Us?: Frank chose to die by suicide rather than letting the infection take over and turn him into a monster.
- How long after Bill and Frank died did Joel show up?: Joel appeared a couple of weeks later with Ellie, after Bill and Frank had already passed away.
About the Characters
- Does Joel know Frank in the game?: Joel does not know who Frank is until Bill mentions that he once had a partner.
- How does Joel know Bill?: Bill and Joel have known each other for years and became acquaintances following the outbreak.
- Is Joel’s brother in the game?: Joel’s brother, Tommy, is a character in the game, and the two brothers have a strained relationship.
About the Game and Show
- Did Ellie know Joel lied in the game?: Ellie chooses to believe Joel’s lie in order to protect herself from further harm.
- Why was Joel taking Ellie to Bill and Frank?: Joel was taking Ellie to Bill and Frank so that they could take on the mission of delivering Ellie to the Fireflies, likely due to Bill and Frank’s life outside of the Boston QZ.