When I sat down to watch The Last of Us on Mondaynight, I expected to watch an hour of Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey evading disgusting fungus zombies.

Instead, I watched one of the most moving episodes of television I've seen in a very long time.

Watch the trailer for The Last of Us below. Post continues after video.

Based on the popular 2013 game of the same name, the post-apocalyptic series largely follows Joel (played by Pedro Pascal), a hardened survivor who is hired to smuggle teenager Ellie (played by Bella Ramsey) out of an oppressive quarantine zone.

In episode three, however, the story veers off course, introducing us to two side characters and giving us a glimpse into a very different side of the apocalypse.

Bill, played by Nick Offerman, is a gun-toting survivalist.

After a contagious brain infection ravaged most of the world's population, Bill built a fortress around his neighbourhood, keeping out intruders with a series of booby traps.

But after living alone safely for nearly four years, a stranger, Frank (played by Murray Bartlett), fell into one of his traps.

After testing to see if he was infected, Bill begrudgingly let Frank inside, offering him a hot shower and a home-cooked meal.

Afterwards, Frank attempted to thank him with a song on the piano, before Bill took over and played 'Long Long Time' by Linda Ronstadt.

"Who’s the girl?" Frank asked, as the song ended.

"There is no girl," Bill replied.

"I know," Frank said, putting his hand on Bill’s shoulder.

What follows is a moving story of a couple building a life together in a world that has fallen apart.

From Frank surprising Bill with a plot of strawberries to a scary scrape with death during an invasion on their home, the pair grow old together in their little town until Frank sadly falls ill.

On social media, viewers have described the episode as "heart-wrenching" and "beautiful", with many praising the performances of Nick Offerman and Murray Bartlett.

Here are some of the best reactions:

trying to live my life but all i can think about is bill and frank #TheLastOfUs pic.twitter.com/FKQijaoRj8

— shan (@wndasvision)

the last of us writers were like “hey joel needs a car. what if we write the most touching and heartbreaking hour of television in the world”

— zach silberberg (@zachsilberberg)

“because anyone else would’ve been electrocuted or blown up by one of my traps…hehehehehe” #TheLastOfUs pic.twitter.com/laNsv85DfG

— bella 🦕 (@radicalreylo)

The way I pressed play thinking it’s gonna be a fun ep with Ellie and bill’s beef and it turned out to be an emotional, heart wrenching hour. goodbye #TheLastOfUs pic.twitter.com/IvJU0xlFa8

— ⧗ (@waltersndanvers)

When Bill brought the dinner and it was the same dish they had when they first met #TheLastOfUs pic.twitter.com/bfpH95lTsm

— elly | TLOU SPOILERS | 30 🍓 (@wizardjarin)

this scene is so much more meaningful because gay marriage wasn’t legal back then im actually devastated #TheLastOfUs pic.twitter.com/Yn9wDhjlia

— Paul Mescal oscar campaign manager (@wandapilled)

“I was never afraid before you showed up” #TheLastOfUs pic.twitter.com/vBIUf9SsS1

— Pakks (anti-hero version) (@_pakks)

BUT I WAS WRONG BECAUSE THERE WAS ONE PERSON WORTH SAVING. THAT'S WHAT I DID. I SAVED HIM. THEN I PROTECTED HIM. THAT'S WHY MEN LIKE YOU AND ME ARE HERE. WE HAVE A JOB TO DO. AND GOD HELP ANY MOTHERFUCKERS WHO STAND IN OUR WAY pic.twitter.com/GIgnVeUlLR #TheLastOfUs

— bella ramsey emmy campaign manager (@patelfiIms)

everyone: “yeah i’ll watch the last of us, but i know what happens bc i played the game” episode 3: pic.twitter.com/UBKGaJvqhN

— 𝕜𝕒𝕪𝕝𝕖𝕖𝕟 (@k1k1cat)

I genuinely love how Bill was just Ron Swanson in episode 3 of The Last of Us, they casted him perfectly pic.twitter.com/CjKhiCu0Ug

— Nxgan 💜 (@nxganussy)

my therapist: “a window can’t hurt you“ the window : #TheLastOfUs pic.twitter.com/9llGdNeL14

— sophie ✨ | tlou spoilers (@cosmicreverie_)

Was not expecting the most beautiful love story ever on TV to come from the deadly mushroom people show omg #TheLastOfUs pic.twitter.com/WG7bbgUl4r

— Zo (@coolstoryZo)

this is 100% a giggle that only frank ever got to hear because being with frank was the only time in his life that bill was truly, genuinely happy #thelastofus pic.twitter.com/Ox0qIersaE

— hannah (@hahncolman)

I know only one of them can win, but Nick Offerman and Murray Bartlett both deserve Emmys for their performances in episode 3 of The Last of Us #TheLastOfUs pic.twitter.com/SxbbaKdMYY

— Pineapple Slice 🍍 (@bashful_michael)

Me seeing strawberries after watching The Last of Us episode 3 pic.twitter.com/dff8r1MwJx

— Ben 🌌🎬 (@The_GM_is_God)

the last of us really said hey what if we write a queer love story where the conflict doesn't revolve around violent homophobia, but instead explores the crushing prospect of growing old without your partner. what then huh

— morgan sung (@morgan_sung)

I was crying during this entire scene. Absolutely beautiful. #TheLastOfUs pic.twitter.com/U2zdC2dvF0

— Austin (@AustinPlanet)

Read more: If you're not already watching The Last of Us, you're missing out.

New episodes of The Last Of Us premiere on Mondays at 1pm AEDT on Binge.

Feature Image: HBO.

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