https://www.businessinsider.com/hbos-the-last-of-us-episode-three-review-bombed-homophobic-2023-1
Neil Druckmann, the co-creator of the series who also developed the video game, told The Hollywood Reporter that Bill and Frank's relationship "went over a lot of people's heads" in the game.
"At the time, [the subtlety is] what helped get it in," he said. "It's sad to say, but it would have been controversial otherwise."
idk you have to take into account that these people are really fucking dumb