Movies

‘The Last of Us’ star Young Mazino on Jesse, the show’s ‘gentle monster’

BBG News

1

This story contains spoilers for Episode 5 of “The Last of Us” Season 2.

Jesse is angry. He also has impeccable timing.

In the recent episode of “The Last of Us,” Ellie (Bella Ramsey) and Dina (Isabela Merced) were surrounded by a horde of infected within an abandoned warehouse. At the most critical moment, their trusted companion Jesse appeared just in time to rescue them.

However, in the post-apocalyptic landscape of HBO’s thriller, mutant fungal zombies are not the only danger lurking. The trio encounters threats not only from these creatures but also from the local militia and a secretive cult.

Over a series of video chats, including one where it seemed like he was immersed in the verdant surroundings reminiscent of the show, actor Young Mazino talked about Jesse’s rescue mission to Seattle and how “The Last of Us” has boosted his growing fame within Hollywood. Regarding Episode 5, Mazino describes Jesse’s emotions when Ellie and Dina bombard him with questions about his sudden arrival: “He’s quite annoyed.

Television

In the fourth episode of Season 2, I found myself captivated by Director Kate Herron’s exploration of Ellie and Dina’s relationship, a moment poignantly depicted in the “Take on Me” scene. The tense atmosphere was further amplified as an infected horde invaded the subway, adding another layer to the episode’s suspense. Lastly, I was thrilled to see Jeffrey Wright’s character, Isaac, introduced, eagerly anticipating his role in the storyline.

Mazino expresses in a video call that he’s extremely upset they are present because of the potential risks involved,” he says. “He understands the gravity of the situation and how severe things could become. He has many concerns swirling in his mind, but for him, it’s crucial to ensure everyone’s safety, survive first, and then deal with the emotions afterwards. We can discuss matters later on.

In the town of Jackson, Wyoming, there lives a patrol coordinator named Jesse who has a complex, intermittent romance with Dina, often referred to as a “situationship” by Mazino. Following the onslaught of the infected, Jesse joined the council overseeing the community’s administration.

In the initial episodes of the season, Mazino portrays Jesse as a cheerful, carefree individual, even going so far as to label him somewhat like a Boy Scout. However, viewers discover in Episode 5 that Jesse is not just a good-natured chap; he’s also a skilled combatant adept with firearms and possessing essential survival skills. Gabriel Luna, Jesse’s co-star, humorously refers to him as a “hidden monster of gentleness.

Mazino wholeheartedly concurs,” he stated. “To endure until that stage, there must be an element of raw instinct and the ability to activate it when needed. It’s all about learning to turn it off again.

Just like Jesse, Mazino radiates a tranquil and soft demeanor even during video calls. He brings up the tales of Anton Chekhov, the artistic ideals of Pablo Picasso, and anime such as “Jujutsu Kaisen.” (He mentions that if “Vinland Saga” were present in our world, Jesse would undoubtedly be drawn to that manga due to its themes.) He’s equally enthusiastic about discussing a hypothetical blunt rotation among the Jackson community members as he is about pondering the role of the Asian diaspora in a post-apocalyptic setting.

Ramsey describes her fellow cast member as incredibly relaxed and calm,” she explains. “I had the opportunity to get to know him better, and I found him to be extremely insightful and considerate in every aspect. I feel quite fortunate to have learned more about him than just his laid-back exterior.

Television

In a natural and easy-to-read manner, The lead actor of HBO’s post-apocalyptic drama mentioned that filming Season 2 was much tougher, yet it provided valuable insights into their own self.

In return, there’s a mutual admiration between them. Mazino refers to Ramsey as an exceptional individual, whose work ethic consistently ranks at the top of their call sheet. A particularly memorable instance occurred when they were both under some PVC pipes on set, sharing a moment in simulated rain together.

In the filming of the Seattle episodes for the show, Mazino found himself soaked and damp for extended periods each day. Just when he thought he might finally dry off, they would douse him again. However, having a companion like Bella Ramsey around, who keeps things light-hearted, made a significant difference. So, even though I was constantly wet, soggy, and miserable, it was easier to bear because Bella was just as soaked and gloomy as me.

The Last of Us” represents Mazino’s most high-profile assignment to date. After spending years pursuing acting, Mazino landed his breakout part in the 2023 miniseries “Beef,” where he plays a lazy guy who develops feelings for his older brother’s road-rage rival. This role earned him an Emmy nomination.

At first, his knowledge about “The Last of Us” came from watching YouTube videos that focused on the game’s narrative scenes. However, before collaborating with showrunners Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann on the project, he acquired a second-hand PlayStation 4 to personally experience the significant parts of Jesse’s storyline within the game.

According to Mazino, when I informed Craig that I had finished the game with the expectation of surprising him positively, his response was, “I would have preferred if you hadn’t played the game at all.

To ready himself for the part, he spent several months working out intensely at the gym, asserts Mazino. Additionally, he underwent weapons training and mastered horse-riding skills.

Mazino expresses that over the past decade, he’s worked on numerous film sets and recognizes how special this particular opportunity is. He shares that his aspirations for writing and storytelling significantly increased after his project ‘Beef,’ and he was uncertain if he’d find another project to meet those high expectations. However, ‘The Last of Us’ came along, and he cherishes the chance to delve into various aspects of himself through the character.

Jesse has a tender affection for Ellie, who he first encounters as a thorny newcomer with kindred spirit, Mazino notes. They’re both solitary individuals who prefer to steer clear of the limelight, especially during social events. However, Jesse also perceives Ellie’s hidden passion and potential.

Mazino comments, “Jesse finds Ellie fascinating, entertaining, and endearing. This tiny, delicate girl carries such a fierce, passionate, and tumultuous spirit within her. I believe Jesse wishes to guide Ellie in channeling all that powerful energy constructively.

Television

In Episode 3, the actor talks about the consequences of Joel’s demise, shares insights on the development of the emotional farewell between Tommy, and explains the significance of his deliberate choice to steer clear of clichéd acting roles.

As a film enthusiast, I must confess that both characters in this story have a soft spot for Dina – she’s got this magnetic charm that feels like sunshine, warm and inviting. And while Jesse appeared unfazed when Ellie and Dina shared a tipsy kiss at a party earlier on, their bond has evolved into something deeper, more romantic, and intimate.

Mazino thinks Jesse is well-aware that Ellie and Dina have been subtly expressing their feelings towards one another.

Mazino expresses his viewpoint by saying, “I believe Jesse sees love as something free and untamed, not something that can be confined or possessed. A healthy approach to love is letting it grow naturally. … Love exists in various forms, and perhaps he understands that Dina might not be the one he’s destined to be with forever. However, there definitely is love between them.

I strongly believe that Jesse is more concerned about Dina venturing into a war zone with her lover, rather than their growing relationship with Ellie, which is my primary concern.

According to Mazino, love often doesn’t follow common sense or logic, so he aims to maintain a balanced perspective in every situation.

Jesse strongly disagrees with Ellie’s quest for revenge that led them to Seattle, and Mazino explains their conflicting views arise from Jesse’s attachment to the community of Jackson. Since Jesse found a sense of belonging in Jackson, his reaction to loss is to hold on to what he still has left.

Mazino explains, “He seems an ideal mirror of how one deals with death, murder, and violence, he suggests. Some individuals only focus on vengeance, but others prioritize cherishing what’s left and what’s valuable in their lives.

Ellie, as he mentions, seems consumed by the idea of vengeance, vengeance, vengeance, seeking retribution for a loss she suffered. On the other hand, Jesse aims for something entirely different. He yearns to preserve what they still hold onto, acutely aware of how precious and fragile life is in this world.

As a die-hard fan of “The Last of Us”, I must admit that the series’ grim setting can be overwhelming at times. Yet, amidst the despair, our tight-knit crew, including Mazino, Luna, Merced, and Ramsey, managed to find moments of respite during filming. One such escape: our mutual passion for music. You see, we all strum the guitar in our downtime!

Voices

Commentary: From ‘The Last of Us’ to ‘Handmaid’s Tale,’ women are angry and vengeful. Good

Over the past few TV series I’ve been watching, I find myself rooting for female characters who aren’t just reacting to threats, but actively combating them. In many instances, their responses are bold and retaliatory – a refreshing shift from passive roles.

Mazino mentioned that everyone just showed up with a guitar without discussing it beforehand,” he said. “Either there was always a guitar available on the set, or someone would sneak one from the set and cause trouble. We’d have spontaneous jam sessions. One person might be strumming a tune or a song, and if we recognized it, we’d join in; otherwise, we’d learn it.

According to Mazino, everyone there appreciated a diverse range of music and exchanged tunes much like collectors trading Pokemon cards. Among Mazino’s recommendations were Daniel Caesar, Frank Ocean, and some R&B tracks.

He admits that keeping up such high energy levels for 12 to 16 hours straight can be quite challenging, but having people who can bring laughter, tell jokes, and maintain a cheerful atmosphere makes a significant difference. In his opinion, a guitar is an essential tool on such a demanding set because it helps create a lively and enjoyable environment.

Read More

2025-05-12 05:31

Previous post Exploitation
Next post Ex-Spouses Ben and Jen Reignite Romance Rumors with Heartwarming Mother’s Day Reunion!