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Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey react to ‘Last of Us’ death
Bella Ramsey, Pedro Pascal discuss father-daughter relationship
“The Last of Us” stars Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal reveal they didn’t enjoy their character’s estrangement in season 2.
Spoiler alert: This story includes details from “The Last of Us” Season 2 Episode 2.
Pedro Pascal is ready to talk about the most upsetting game of golf in television history.
The “Last of Us” star, 50, is speaking out about the death of his character Joel Miller in the latest episode of the HBO series. In a behind-the-scenes featurette released on Max, Pascal acknowledged that fans would be shaken by the emotional moment that Joel is brutally murdered by Abby (Kaitlyn Dever).
“I have nothing but respect for the level of investment that people have in a video game or a television show or a movie or a book,” Pascal said. “I experience it myself, and I’ve flung books across the room because its impact is so profound on me in experiencing a story. If it is incredibly painful for people, that’s obviously a brilliant achievement of the storytelling.”
Bella Ramsey, who plays Ellie, shared in the featurette that they knew Joel was going to die from the first season, though reading the scene where it happens was still quite upsetting.
“I knew that it was coming as I was reading the episode, and I was dreading getting to that bit, and I cried. I actually sobbed my little heart out,” Ramsey said. “It was the first time I ever cried from reading a piece of writing.”
Pascal also spoke to Entertainment Weekly about Joel’s death and admitted he is still “in active denial.”
“I realize this more and more as I get older, I find myself slipping into denial that anything is over,” he said. “I know that I’m forever bonded to so many members of the experience and just have to see them under different circumstances, but never will under the circumstances of playing Joel on ‘The Last of Us.’ And, no, I don’t spend a lot of time thinking about it because it makes me sad.”
Like in the video game on which the HBO series is based, Joel is murdered by Abby, the daughter of the doctor he killed when he massacred a hospital full of Fireflies to save Ellie’s life. The death, which was leaked online before the video game “The Last of Us Part II” was released in 2020, remains one of the most controversial moments in recent video game history.
Because the game “The Last of Us Part II” debuted more than two years before the HBO series began, Pascal was aware his character’s death was coming from the very beginning. Indeed, he told EW there was “always an understanding that” the show would “stay true to the source material,” meaning Joel’s death was “just a matter of how and when.”
But while Joel may be dead, that doesn’t mean Pascal’s time on “The Last of Us” is over entirely. The video game includes flashback scenes featuring Joel, some of which have been teased in the trailers for Season 2. Executive producer Craig Mazin confirmed to USA TODAY, “We have not seen the last of Pedro Pascal on ‘The Last of Us.’”
How did Joel’s death in ‘The Last of Us’ show compare to the game?
Joel’s death in the “Last of Us” TV series was relatively faithful to the source material, though with one major difference: In the game, it was even more out of left field because players were not aware of who Abby was ahead of time.
While the TV series revealed to viewers upfront that Abby was the daughter of the doctor Joel killed, the game saved this information until much later. As a result, players and Joel himself were unaware of Abby’s identity when he was killed in the game.
Joel was also attacked by Abby while with Dina (Isabela Merced) in the show, whereas in the game, he was with his brother Tommy (Gabriel Luna).
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Liz Hurley goes Instagram official with new beau Billy Ray CyrusEntertainment
Liz Hurley goes Instagram official with new beau Billy Ray CyrusEntertainment
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How real is ‘Conclave’? Pope Francis’ death recalls movie
Pope Francis dies at 88 years old one day after Easter Sunday
Pope Francis, the first pope born outside of Europe in over a millennia, has died.
The death of Pope Francis marks the end of an era for the Catholic Church, and paves the way for one of the most arcane, storied and secretive events in human history: the election of a new pope.
Francis died Easter Monday at 88, the Vatican announced. First elected in March 2013 as the 266th pope, his death now prompts the centuries-old process of choosing his successor.
That event is also known as a conclave, a term that lends its name to a 2016 Robert Harris book-turned-Oscar-winning movie. “Conclave” is set during a fictional meeting of red-cloaked cardinals who have flocked to the Eternal City to cast ballots for who will lead the world’s roughly 1.4 billion Catholics.
The thriller won best adapted screenplay and is available to rent or buy on Apple, Amazon Prime, Fandango and other on-demand platforms.
Many are familiar with the final moments of a conclave, when the white smoke famously rises from a chimney just outside the Sistine Chapel, sending the assembled faithful into a frenzy of cheers, followed by the appearance of the newly elected pontiff on the central balcony at St. Peter’s Basilica.
But given that the Vatican doesn’t really do Hollywood, one wonders how the filmmakers were able to capture the nuanced details − from elaborate clothing to Latinate voting oaths − shown in the movie, which stars Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci and John Lithgow as at-odds cardinals, and Isabella Rossellini as an inquisitive nun.
“We were given a private tour of the Vatican, and they were quite welcoming, actually, quite helpful,” says “Conclave” screenwriter Peter Straughan, speaking to USA TODAY ahead of the film’s release in 2024. “So it was a big research project, really. It’s a fascinating and theatrical world, so you want to get those details right. It’s a very sumptuous thing.”
Vatican officials seemed OK with the shocking premise of the film, Straughan adds, as well as its portrayal of a conclave’s political machinations. “We didn’t want to be toothless in our approach to the church, which has many faults, but we wanted to be respectful of the heart of the Catholic Church,” he says.
Straughan guides USA TODAY through the questions that surface when watching “Conclave.”
Do the 235 Roman Catholic cardinals really get sequestered like juries until they choose a pope?
Yes. As shown in “Conclave,” once a Vatican official faces the assembled cardinals and says the words “extra omnes” (or “everyone out”) the cardinals are allowed to interact only with each other. “There isn’t supposed to be any information coming in from the outside world, or going out, that could sway the election in any way,” Straughan says.
There are, however, some officials who as needed can act as emissaries, even if the cardinals themselves cannot leave until a successful ballot is cast, meaning one cardinal receives two-thirds of the votes and is elected pope. “While some people can go back and forth, I’m not sure they’re used as detectives as they are in our story,” Straughan says.
Do cardinals who gather for a conclave sleep on the premises?
The cardinals stay at the Casa Santa Marta, a fairly simple dormitory on Vatican grounds. They are allowed to mix and mingle in nearby buildings and courtyards, and dine together in a cafeteria setting staffed by nuns.
“Visually you get this strange mix of absolute ancient beauty and tremendous scale, contrasting with this almost business conference center feel,” Straughan says. “You get this major stage feel, with the Sistine Chapel and these men deciding who will represent the world’s Catholics, and then this almost modest backstage feel. Quite the contrast, which makes for a great setting.”
Is the voting process in a papal conclave as formal as shown in ‘Conclave’?
When cardinals assemble to elect a pope, they vote as often as four times a day, especially in the first day or two, to determine which candidates are most likely to garner a majority vote. As shown in “Conclave,” the balloting process is not a raucous affair but solemn and filled with ritual. “Each time each cardinal votes, he must walk up to the bowl where his written vote will be placed and recite an oath (in Latin),” Straughan says.
One by one, the cardinals place their folded ballots atop a round plate and slide it into an oval urn while reciting an oath. As “Conclave” shows, those ballots are sewn together with a needle and thread, and then burned with a chemical to send either black smoke, meaning a stalemate, or white, signifying “habemus papam” − “we have a pope.”
How much of ‘Conclave’ was actually filmed at the Vatican?
None. “You can’t film at the Vatican, ever,” says Straughan. “We had to come up with alternatives.”
Most of those alternatives were in fact in Rome, which is packed with marble-encrusted buildings from centuries past that can double for many of the chambers, staircases and hallways featured in “Conclave.” (One notable exception: The instantly recognizable interiors of the Sistine Chapel were re-created on a soundstage, and Michelangelo’s famous ceiling is a computer-generated replica of the real thing.)
(This story has been updated with new information.)
Contributing: Taijuan Moorman and Kim Willis
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The dark side of Diddy's infamous White PartiesEntertainment
The dark side of Diddy’s infamous White PartiesEntertainment
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King Charles, Whoopi Goldberg, more mourn loss
Pope Francis dies at 88 years old one day after Easter Sunday
Pope Francis, the first pope born outside of Europe in over a millennia, has died.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla are mourning the death of Pope Francis.
Charles said he and the queen were “deeply saddened” by the pope’s death, but their “heavy hearts were somewhat eased” knowing “His Holiness was able to share an Easter greeting with the Church and the world he served with such devotion throughout his life and ministry,” he wrote in a statement on social media.
Francis died Easter Monday at 88, the Vatican announced.
“His Holiness will be remembered for his compassion, his concern for the unity of the Church and for his tireless commitment to the common causes of all people of faith, and to those of goodwill who work for the benefit of others,” Charles added. “His belief that care for Creation is an existential expression of faith in God resounded with so many across the world.
“Through his work and care for both people and planet, he profoundly touched the lives of so many,” the statement continued. “The Queen and I remember with particular affection our meetings with His Holiness over the years and we were greatly moved to have been able to visit him earlier this month.”
Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, announced the pope’s death from the Casa Santa Marta on April 21, according to Vatican News: “At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God.”
The pope’s death comes one day after a frail but determined Francis greeted thousands in St. Peter’s Square after Easter Mass in his open-air popemobile − and just weeks after an extended hospital stay in which he battled bilateral pneumonia and other health issues.
Recently, the royal couple paid the Pope a visit during a trip to Italy.
Charles, 76, who is himself recovering from cancer, meaning his workload has to be carefully managed, wrote privately to the pope when Francis was taken ill, a source previously told Reuters. The pair met during Charles’ visits to Rome in 2017 and 2019 before he became king.
As British monarch, Charles heads the Church of England, which split from the Catholic Church in 1534. A palace spokesperson said at the time that his and Camilla’s trip would symbolize a significant step forward in relations between the two and mark celebrations for the 2025 Catholic Holy Year.
“We send our most heartfelt condolences and profound sympathy to the Church he served with such resolve,” Charles wrote in the ending to his statement, “and to the countless people around the world who, inspired by his life, will be mourning the devastating loss of this faithful father of Jesus Christ.”
Tributes to the Pope pour in after death: Whoopi Goldberg, Russell Crowe, more
News of the pontiff’s death prompted more outpourings of mourning from worshipers and grievers around the world.
Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, wrote on her Instagram stories, “No better example of total humility in kindness and compassion. Thank you for leading us not just with words but with your unwavering service to humanity.”
Donatella Versace also weighed in, writing on Instagram, “Rest in peace his holiness” alongside a photo of the Pope.
Gloria Estefan wrote in her own Instagram tribute: “Rest in peace and power, Pope Francis, you opened hearts and minds (and) were fearless in your guidance. Thank you for putting love first until your last moments on this earth.”
Actor Russell Crowe also paid tribute, writing on X: “A beautiful day in Rome, but, a sad day for the faithful. RIP Francis,” alongside a photo of the city.
Antonio Banderas, Eva Longoria, more stars share photos with the pope
Whoopi Goldberg also offered condolences online, writing on Instagram: “He was the closest in a long time that seemed to remember that Christ’s love enveloped believer and non-believer (sic). He felt more like Pope John the 23rd, who made belief real. Sail on Pope Frances (sic) with your love of humanity & Laughter.”
Katie Couric also took to the social media app to post a photo of herself alongside the Pope with the caption, “Rest in Peace dear Pope Francis.”
Antonio Banderas shared a photo of himself shaking hands with the pontiff, captioning the Instagram post: “Pope Francisco has died — a man who, at the head of the Catholic Church, showed kindness, love, and mercy to the neediest people.”
Eva Longoria, sharing a photo to Instagram showing herself and the pontiff with bowed heads, called the religious leader “an ally to many of us,” and thanked him for “speaking up for the marginalized.”
“Your compassion, kindness and humility will always be remembered,” she wrote.
Sylvester Stallone, who also shared a photo of himself alongside the pope, wrote on Instagram: “A wonderful, wonderful man! Rest in peace holy father!”
Contributing: Cybele Mayes-Osterman, John Bacon and Susan Miller, USA TODAY; Michael Holden, Reuters
This story was updated to add new information.
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Watch live streams of Beyoncé’s ‘Cowboy Carter’ concerts with this fan
Beyoncé released ‘Cowboy Carter’ album one year ago: A look back
It’s been one year since Beyoncé released her eighth studio album, “Cowboy Carter.” Here’s a look back at the album’s impactful year.
- Beyoncé fan Matthew Serafin live streams concerts for fans unable to attend.
- Serafin began streaming during the “Renaissance” tour and gained a large following.
- He plans to stream the upcoming “Cowboy Carter” tour.
Beyoncé fans who can’t attend her highly anticipated “Cowboy Carter” tour in person won’t have to miss a beat thanks to fans like Matthew Serafin, who turned live streaming her shows into a passion and an act of service.
Serafin has been a longtime Beyoncé fan since she took on the role of Deena Jones in “Dreamgirls” in 2006.
“Her music has just kind of been something that I’ve always been able to find comfort in,” Serafin says. “I just remember being in awe of her talent and her beauty and just everything that she is.”
The Chicago native first saw Beyoncé in concert in 2013 during her Mrs. Carter World Tour, and since then he hasn’t missed any of her tours. “So I’ve seen every show,” Serafin says.
And after going live during Beyoncé’s 2023 Renaissance World Tour, he has now become a streaming aficionado on a mission to help other fans experience her shows if they can’t go in person.
It all started in Stockholm
Ten years after his first concert, Serafin attended Beyoncé’s opening night on her Renaissance World Tour in Stockholm, Sweden. There, he live streamed a concert to Instagram for the first time.
“I didn’t stream a show before that. ‘Renaissance’ was the first time I ever did that,” Serafin says. “I was there alone, so I thought this is kind of a fun way to share this with some of my friends from home — not at all thinking that it would totally blow up.”
To to his surprise, thousands of fans from all over the world joined his live stream, and he decided to stream the entire show.
“There was so much excitement. We didn’t have any visuals. We had no live performances from the (‘Renaissance’) era. We had no idea what to expect,” he says “It was sort of that perfect storm of all of that excitement. And for whatever reason, my international AT&T plan had a clear stream and people found it.”
Serafin found himself at eight other “Renaissance” concerts in 2023, and he continued to bring digital fans along with him.
“My mind was blown (by this) opening show, and I found that community. Suddenly, I was a part of it, and I was able to sort of share that with everyone in a way that I previously hadn’t connected online with,” he says. “It was one of those things that as the tour went on, I just had a lot of fun with it.”
Serafin works a full-time corporate job by day, but he says it was his experience as a photographer that may have also contributed to the overall success of the initial live stream.
“I have worked as a photographer for years, so I know how to frame a shot,” he says. “That’s not my main job now, but I am very adept at holding my arms up and being very still.”
‘I found fellow Beyoncé-lovers who I can always go to’
After successfully streaming Beyoncé’s opening show, Serafin quickly found himself as one of the go-to live stream sources for the duration of her 2023 tour.
“I started becoming a place people would go, even when it wasn’t at the show. I would always have who was going to stream,” he says. “Once I started posting people going live, then when people were going to go to the show and go live, they would message me.”
And while Serafin acknowledges he “was a bit later to the live-stream world,” he appreciates the wider community and genuine connections he quickly grew.
“I think through live streaming, I found fellow Beyoncé lovers who I can always go to and people who I can always share that (experience) with,” he says.
Serafin says there are always other fans excited to live stream the shows, too, and he encourages folks to find an account that resonates with them the most and enjoy watching.
Gearing up for the ‘Cowboy Carter’ tour
Of course, Beyoncé first announced her Cowboy Carter and the Rodeo Chitlin’ Circuit Tour the night before this year’s Grammy Awards, where she took home best country album and album of the year.
The tour is set to kick off April 28 in Los Angeles and include 32 stadium shows across the U.S. and Europe. Since the initial announcement, Beyoncé has added a handful of concerts including final shows in Las Vegas. She’s on track to make history with her scheduled tour dates.
“I am so excited to see how she translates this album to the stage,” says Serafin as he prepares for the upcoming shows.
Serafin says he’ll attend multiple concerts, including the opening and closing shows.
And, while he’s looking forward to seeing her “Cowboy Carter” spectacle for himself, he hopes to again help “folks who not only couldn’t get a ticket, but maybe just geographically, there’s no way that they’ll get to see Beyoncé live.”
Follow Caché McClay, the USA TODAY Network’s Beyoncé Knowles-Carter reporter, on Instagram, TikTok and X as @cachemcclay.
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Crossword Blog & Answers for April 21, 2025 by Sally Hoelscher
There are spoilers ahead. You might want to solve today’s puzzle before reading further! No More Fooling Around (Freestyle)
Constructor: Dena R. Verkuil
Editor: Anna Gundlach
What I Learned from Today’s Puzzle
- DAME (15A: Title for Sonia Boyce and Zaha Hadid) DAME Sonia Boyce is a multi-media artist whose works involve film, drawing, photography, print, and sound. She is the subject of the 2018 BBC Four documentary Whoever Heard of a Black Artist? Britain’s Hidden Art History. DAME Zaha Hadid (1950-2016) was an architect, artist, and designer. She was the first woman to be awarded the Pritzker Architecture Prize, which she won in 2004. She designed the London Aquatics Center and the Guangzhou Opera House in China. I am delighted to learn about both of these women.
- SHUE (17A: “Battle of the Sexes” actress Elisabeth) Battle of the Sexes is a 2017 movie loosely based on the 1973 tennis match of the same name between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs. Emma Stone and Steve Carell portray Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs. Elisabeth SHUE portrays Priscilla Riggs, Bobby Riggs’ wife.
Random Thoughts & Interesting Things
- FAST (1A: Observe Yom Kippur, say) Yom Kippur is a Jewish holy day known as the Day of Atonement. It is considered to be Judaism’s holiest day, and is observed by FASTing and prayer. This year Yom Kippur will be observed from sunset, October 1 to nightfall, October 2.
- OTOH (14A: “Then again,” in texts) OTOH is making back-to-back puzzle appearances. We saw it yesterday clued as [“That being said,” in a text].
- AUNT (22A: Patty or Selma, to Lisa) In the animated sitcom The Simpsons, Patty and Selma are Marge Simpson’s sisters. That makes them Lisa Simpson’s AUNT.
- LES (30A: Gibson ___ Paul guitar) LES Paul (1915-2009) was a jazz guitarist, songwriter, and inventor. He teamed up with the Gibson Guitar Company in the early 1950s, which produced a guitar according to his specifications. Gibson LES Paul guitars are still used by many musicians. Sometimes I joke that everything I know I learned about from crosswords. However, I learned about LES Paul and Gibson LES Paul guitars from an exhibit at the Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle, Washington.
- LAKOTA (33A: People also known as the Teton Sioux) The LAKOTA, as the name Teton Sioux suggests, are a subculture of the Sioux people. The LAKOTA have land in North and South Dakota.
- WHEY (35A: No ___! (punny name for a dairy-free chocolate brand)) This is a cute way to clue the word WHEY. No Whey Foods makes chocolate that is milk-free, nut free, gluten free, soy free, and egg free.
- SHO (47A: “Yellowjackets” network, for short) Showtime (SHO, for short) describes the TV series Yellowjackets as “part survival epic, part psychological horror, and part coming-of-age drama.” The show tells the story of a high school girls’ soccer team whose plane crashes in the wilderness. The show recounts the time of survival after the crash, as well as events that occur 25 years later.
- ELIOT (55A: “Middlemarch” novelist George) Middlemarch, A Study of Provincial Life is a book by George ELIOT that was first published in installments in 1871-1872. The book is set in the fictional English town of Middlemarch between 1829 to 1832, and focuses on the lives of the town’s residents. George ELIOT was the pen name of Mary Ann Evans (1819-1880).
- ARBOR (63A: ___ Day (tree holiday)) Many countries observe ARBOR Day, a holiday for encouraging people to plant trees. This is a timely clue, as in the United States ARBOR Day is celebrated on the last Friday in April, which is Friday, April 25 this year.
- EMUS (64A: Birds that lay green eggs) The eggs laid by EMUS are a dark green color and can weigh over a pound.
- EDY’S (68A: East Coast ice cream brand) William Dreyer and Joseph EDY founded Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream, Inc. in 1928. The company has two signature brands: Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream – sold in the Western United States and Texas, and EDY’S Grand Ice Cream, sold in the Eastern and Midwestern United States.
- ADA (5D: “Sanctuary” poet Limon) Ada Limón is the current Poet Laureate of the United States. You can read “Sanctuary” and listen to ADA Limón read the poem here.
- ODD (10D: Like all prime numbers except 2) That’s ODD, there’s math in my word puzzle… If a number is greater than one and can only be formed by multiplying one and itself, it’s a prime number. Any even number other than 2 will be divisible by two, so will not be a prime number.
- RPG (12D: WoW or D&D) RPG here stands for role-playing game. World of Warcraft (WoW) and Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) are RPGs. The abbreviation of the names of the games in the clue alerts solvers that the answer will be an abbreviation.
- ATE (13D: Had a Dutch baby) A Dutch baby, also called a German pancake, is a fluffy oven-baked pancake similar to a popover or Yorkshire pudding.
- ANA (19D: “Ugly Betty” actress Ortiz) I wrote about the TV series Ugly Betty (2006-2010) last month. ANA Ortiz played the role of Hilda Suarez, sister of the title character.
- OTTERS (49D: Sea mammals that hold hands while sleeping) Yesterday we saw the singular OTTER clued as [Mammal form of the shape-shifting creature Kushtaka].
- RBG (58D: First SCOTUS justice to officiate a same-sex wedding) Ruth Bader Ginsburg (1933-2020), known as RBG, was a member of the Supreme Court of the United States from 1993-2020. In the summer of 2013, the Supreme Court ruled on two cases that made same-sex marriage legal in all U.S. states. On August 31, 2013, RBG officiated the wedding of Michael Kaiser (who was the president of the Kennedy Center at the time) and John Roberts (a government economist, not the Supreme Court chief justice). RBG is believed to be the first SCOTUS (Supreme Court of the United States) justice to officiate a same-sex wedding.
- SUE (60D: WNBA great Bird) SUE Bird is a retired professional basketball player. She played for WNBA’s Seattle Storm from 2002-2022. The Seattle Storm won four WNBA championships during SUE Bird’s time on the team. SUE Bird also has five gold medals from her time playing on Team USA in the Olympics.
Crossword Puzzle Theme Synopsis
NO MORE FOOLING AROUND (Freestyle): This is a freestyle, or themeless, puzzle. The title is a nod to I MEAN IT THIS TIME (7D: Now there really is a wolf!”)
I MEAN IT THIS TIME is a lovely grid-spanning answer, and it was fun to see the clue reference the fairy tale “The Boy Who Cried Wolf.” I also enjoyed the other two grid-spanning answers: I’M DRAWING A BLANK (23A: “Doesn’t ring any bells”) and THAT HITS THE SPOT (50A: “Ahh, so thirst-quenching!”). Thank you, Dena, for this interesting puzzle.
For more on USA TODAY’s Crossword Puzzles
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Craig Mazin explains that big death, ‘toxic mourning’
Bella Ramsey, Pedro Pascal discuss father-daughter relationship
“The Last of Us” stars Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal reveal they didn’t enjoy their character’s estrangement in season 2.
Spoiler alert: This story includes details of the major Episode 2 fatality.
That “Last of Us” death hurts, especially so early in Season 2.
We’re not talking about Tommy Miller’s (Gabriel Luna) awesome blow-torch barbeque of the bloater beast in Episode 2 (now streaming on Max; new episodes Sundays, 9 ET/PT). Shroomzilla had that coming.
But, for those not familiar with “The Last of Us” video games from which the HBO series is adapted, the brutal death of Joel Miller – the role that propelled Pedro Pascal to superstardom – is an emotional bludgeoning. By a golf club. That is the weapon on hand for vengeful Abby Anderson (Kaitlyn Dever), who fatally tees off on Joel to avenge her dead father. The torturous clobbering comes after Joel saves Abby from infected hordes and is coldly executed in front of his surrogate daughter, Ellie (Bella Ramsey).
“People are going to be upset. That’s sometimes how good drama goes,” says executive producer Craig Mazin. “This was something that was always meant to happen. So much of the first season was, in a weird way, leading to this moment. And it’s upsetting.”
Joel’s death was ‘largely preordained’
Joel’s demise was already laid out, nearly blow-for-blow, in the source material, “The Last of Us Part II” video game. When Pascal took the role, Mazin says the actor knew Joel would face this savaging in a potential Season 2. And, of course, there was a Season 2.
“Loss is kind of how this story functions, so this was largely preordained,” says Mazin. “When I talked to Pedro the first time, I said, ‘This is how this will go.’ I wanted him to know that we’re not going to do this for seven seasons with you in that spot. We’re going to do a season, and if it goes well and there’s a second season, this will happen.”
The TV version provides one episode and change to build up some empathy for Abby, the Firefly daughter of the unarmed, scrubbed-up surgeon Joel killed in his Season 1 finale killing spree. In an Episode 2 hospital flashback, Abby discovers her father, who was about to remove Ellie’s brain for a humanity-saving cure. Abby has been searching for Joel, and payback, for five years.
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Trapped and wounded by Abby, Joel’s eyes give license for revenge. “They have a weirdly intimate moment of connection where Joel, on some level, recognizes her right to retribution, to avenge her father,” Mazin says.
It’s important that Abby goes too far: ‘There’s justice and then there’s this other thing’
The Joel beating is conducted mostly off camera, but it’s brutal. The golf club hits to the head depicted in the video game are directed primarily at Joel’s shot-up leg for the sake of semi-reality. “This is live action,” Mazin says. “We do have to work a little closer to truer physics.”
Abby breaks the club and uses her fists before horrifyingly sticking the broken club into Joel’s neck. “So that broken piece of golf club was the coup de grâce. In some ways, it’s more haunting,” Mazin says. “We actually tried to show quite a bit of restraint in what people see. But it’s important for Abby’s character to go too far. There’s justice, and then there’s this other thing.”
Ellie vows revenge and circle of ‘toxic mourning’ continues
Half of the Firefly crew is appalled, including Owen (Spencer Lord), who ultimately has to tell Abby to stop the torture and “finish it.” Medic Mel (Ariela Barer) can’t hide her tears. Trapped, Ellie reflects viewers’ horror, and her primal need for her own form of revenge.
“Is Ellie going to do exactly what Abby did, pursue her and hunt her down at any cost? What does this toxic grieving do to us?” Mazin asks. “This is not a revenge story. It’s a story about grief and how people handle grief.”
We haven’t seen the end of Pedro Pascal in ‘Last of Us’
Rest in Peace, Joel. The final view of the deeply flawed protector is his covered body pulled through the snow to Jackson by horse. But we haven’t seen the end of Pascal. The troubled father figure still has – at least – a fateful confrontation with Ellie, as alluded to in the Season 2 trailer.
“I don’t think I’m spoiling anything,” Mazin says. “We have not seen the last of Pedro Pascal on ‘The Last of Us.’”
But the show shifts its focus to the aftermath of the seismic death and the actions of the grieving Tommy, Dina (Isabela Merced), and Ellie – who spits a vow of revenge.
‘The way Bella as Ellie says, ‘You’re all going to die,’ you can’t help but believe it is absolutely true,’ Mazin says.
As the somber Fireflies trudge away in the snow, Abby looks disturbed after finally killing Joel.
“It’s not remorse,” Mazin says. “There is a sense of dissatisfaction. This thing she thought would fix the wound in her didn’t fix it. She walks away no happier than when she showed up.”
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Paris Hilton, Billy Ray Cyrus, more celebrate
Easter traditions: How it’s celebrated around the world
Did you know that Easter isn’t always just celebrated with chocolate? Easter is marked very differently around the globe.
unbranded – Lifestyle
Spring has sprung, and now the stars are hopping into the Easter spirit.
Paris Hilton celebrated the holiday in true mommy fashion by throwing an adorable Easter bash for her children, as seen in an April 19 Instagram post. The media mogul, 44, shares son Phoenix, 2, and daughter London, 1, with husband and entrepreneur Carter Reum, 44.
Hilton shared several photos from the party, which saw Phoenix and London decorate a cake with bunny-shaped treats and pose beneath a colorful balloon arch. “Getting ready for Easter with little bunnies 🐰🐰💖,” she wrote. “Feeling like the luckiest mama!💫 Cherishing every magical moment with my beautiful babies 💐”
Easter Sunday, an important day for members of the Christian faith, commemorates the miraculous resurrection of Jesus Christ after a 40-day season of prayer known as Lent.
The holiday is also the last day of Holy Week, a week’s worth of events paying homage to the final days leading up to Christ’s Crucifixion and Resurrection.
While some partake in more traditional practices like prayer or mass on Easter, others enjoy a more secular interpretation with baskets, egg decorating, egg hunting, and of course, the Easter Bunny.
Here’s how other celebs are celebrating.
Elizabeth Hurley and Billy Ray Cyrus
Elizabeth Hurley and Billy Ray Cyrus are celebrating Easter with a little romance.
The actress, 59, and country singer-songwriter, 63, took to Instagram to mark the holiday with an idyllic outdoor photo. Cyrus, wearing a denim shirt with striped pants and a bunny ears headband, planted a kiss on Hurley’s cheek as she cheerily posed in a blue flannel shirt and matching jeans.
Hurley did not share any details on the pair’s relationship status in the joint post. “Happy Easter ♥️,” Hurley wrote.
Kris Jenner
For Kris Jenner, Easter is all about family.
The reality-TV personality and Kardashians matriarch, 69, observed the holiday on Instagram by sharing an assortment of throwback photos from past Easter celebrations with her children Kim Kardashian, 44; Kourtney Kardashian, 46; Khloé Kardashian, 40; Rob Kardashian, 38; Kendall Jenner, 29; and Kylie Jenner, 27.
One photo shows Kris, decked out in a red frock and matching hat, posing with Kim, Kourtney and Khloé in nearly identical outfits. Another pic offers a sweet side-by-side shot of Kendall and Kylie wearing tulle dresses with dainty floral accents.
“Happy Easter!! 🐣🐰💐,” Jenner captioned the post.
Lindsay Lohan
Lindsay Lohan is keeping things chill this Easter.
Lohan, 38, shared a photo of herself on Instagram that showed the Critics Choice-nominated actress lounging poolside in a floral top and dark sunglasses.
“Happy Easter! 🐰🐣🐇 💐🌸🌺🌻,” Lohan wrote.
Rebel Wilson
Rebel Wilson is all for indulging in Easter fun, as long as there’s a balance.
The “Pitch Perfect” star, 45, dressed up as the Easter bunny for an egg hunt with her 2-year-old daughter Royce Lillian, Wilson shared on Instagram. The actress also candidly added that she “may have” gorged on a “dozen Cadbury Creme eggs” during the celebration.
I “am planning on going OFF chocolate tomorrow to do a challenge!”, Wilson concluded. “Anyone with me? 6 weeks NO CHOCOLATE CHALLENGE starting Monday?”
Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg is celebrating Easter with humor and heart.
The hip-hop icon, 53, shared a photo of himself and longtime wife Shante Broadus on Instagram. Broadus stunned in a plush pink coat and matching fedora. “Happy Easter from the Broadus Family @bosslady_ent 💕💕❗️”, Dogg wrote.
The rapper, a self-professed marijuana enthusiast, also poked fun at Easter Sunday falling on April 20, or 4/20, which is informally known as a day of appreciation for the drug.
On X, Dogg shared a meme that featured a seemingly photoshopped image of the rapper wearing a bunny suit with the caption, “When 420 falls on Easter Sunday.” In response, Dogg wrote, “Good morning 🤣🤣👏🏿 🙏🏿 ☀️”
Nick Cannon
Nick Cannon goes all out for Easter.
The actor and TV personality, 44, gave a glimpse into his festivities with co-parent Abby De La Rosa, 34, in an Instagram post. The pair shares three children: twin sons Zion Mixolydian and Zillion Heir, 3, and daughter Beautiful Zeppelin, 2.
Cannon dressed up as the Easter bunny while his children sat atop a life-sized egg-hunt basket. “Happy Easter!!”, Cannon captioned the post.
Reba McEntire
Reba McEntire is getting nostalgic this Easter.
The country music icon, 70, shared a throwback photo of herself on social media that showed her sitting with a basket full of flowers. McEntire, who is surrounded by larger floral arrangements in the image, beams for the camera while cradling a brightly colored Easter egg.
“Happy Easter from my family to yours 🐣🩷,” McEntire wrote.
King Charles and Queen Camilla
For King Charles III and Queen Camilla, Easter is a time for faith.
The British royals briefly greeted onlookers after attending an Easter service at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor, England, an important fixture in the 76-year-old monarch’s calendar as Charles serves as supreme governor of the Church of England.
Charles and Camilla, 77, were joined by Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward and other family members at the 15th-century chapel on the grounds of Windsor Castle. Camilla, who was handed a posy of flowers by a young girl, wished “Happy Easter” to members of the crowd after the service.
On April 17, the king used his annual Easter message to reflect on war, human suffering and the heroism of those who risk their lives to help others.
Contributing: Amaris Encinas and Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY; Paul Sandle, Reuters