I love a choice like this. What’s the significance of Joel putting on Frank’s shirt here?
Bill told Joel that they are protectors. He also said that he had no purpose in life before he saved Frank. “I saved him.” It feels obvious to me that the shirt signals Joel’s needs for salvation. Even though he sees himself as Ellie’s protector, he’s been in a pit for the past 20 years and she’s going to help him climb out.
Frank once had to beg for resources just to paint the house and Bill was reluctant because he didn’t understand it.
At the end of their lives, we see Frank’s paintings everywhere, all over their house and town. Which means that he not only was able to get Bill to see the importance of maintaining art and beauty, but that Bill went out of his way to make sure Frank always had paint on hand.
That just goes to show the strength of their love and Bill’s character development. One of the most romantic queer media pieces I’ve ever watched. Beautiful, gutting, perfect.
