This game and its sequel fall under the “4X” sub-genre of strategy games, meaning the crux of the gameplay involves building an empire of some kind. The Civilization titles are a great example of 4X strategy. 4X actually stands for eXplore, eXpand, eXploit and eXterminate. I guess “4E” just didn’t have the same vibe.
In any event, Endless Legend 2 is set in a new location, the oceanic world of Saiadha. The trailer hints at the mysterious nature of this world and showcases the refined gameplay mechanics. It also looks like players could stumble upon an imprisoned god during campaigns. Good times.
Players can adopt the role of various factions in the game, many of which are shown off in the trailer. There’s a human-like race, an insectoid race and a centaur-like race, among others.
Here’s more good news for fans of the original. While Amplitude hasn’t announced a release date yet, it did say that it will enter early access in “early 2025.” Using my advanced math skills I have deduced that it’s early 2025 right now. The early access build will let players take control of four of the aforementioned factions, with two more coming with the full release.
If that nebulous release date has got you down, there’s a way to try the game out even earlier. The company has reopened applications for its insider program. Not everyone will be selected for the initial testing phase, but it’s worth a shot.
During her final broadcast on Thursday, January 23, O’Donnell reflected on her time with the program, saying, “The CBS Evening News is, for good reason, the longest-running evening newscast in America, and it has been powered by the finest journalists around the world — the correspondents, producers and researchers and crews who work tirelessly to bring you the news every night. And that won’t change, because journalism matters. I know that, because I have heard it from so many of you viewers.”
“So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for trusting us and welcoming hard news with heart into your homes.”
How Long Was Norah O’Donnell with CBS Evening News?
O’Donnell was with the program for five and a half years, starting in May 2019 and concluding with her final broadcast on January 23, 2025.
The veteran CBS journalist became the lead anchor of the iconic news program, which has been on the air since 1947, in 2019, taking over for Jeff Glor. She followed in the footsteps of broadcasting legends like Walter Cronkite and Dan Rather.
What Was Norah O’Donnell’s CBS Evening News Salary?
As reported by The Post in 2022, O’Donnell’s annual salary was $3.8 million, down from her previous $8 million.
What Is Norah O’Donnell’s Net Worth?
O’Donnell has an estimated net worth of $22 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
Who Is Replacing Norah O’Donnell on CBS Evening News?
O’Donnell is being replaced by 60 Minutes alum John Dickerson and CBS anchor Maurice DuBois.
Why Did Norah O’Donnell Leave CBS Evening News?
In July 2024, when O’Donnell formally announced her decision to step down from the evening news program, the journalist reportedly wrote a letter to staffers. In it, she stated, “After this year’s election, I’ve decided I will be leaving my role as anchor and managing editor of the CBS Evening News to take on a new position at the network.”
“There’s so much work to be proud of! But I have spent 12 years in the anchor chair here at CBS News, connected to a daily broadcast and the rigors of a relentless news cycle,” O’Donnell noted, before explaining her reason for leaving: “It’s time to do something different.”
So, while she is leaving the evening news program, O’Donnell will remain with CBS News as a senior correspondent.
“I’m pleased to share that I have made a long-term commitment to CBS News to continue to do the same storytelling and big interviews that have been our hallmark. I will continue to contribute to Evening News and all of our news broadcasts, including 60 Minutes.”
In recent years, Albania has become famed as a great destination dupe for the Maldives, which can be a rather expensive holiday, especially if travelling with family or at peak times.
The ‘Maldives of Europe’ is a much cheaper option and, despite a glowing reputation, is still relatively off-the-beaten-path destinations.
Flights from London Luton to Albania’s capital city of Tirana cost just £14.99 when flying with Wizz Air, and hotel rooms in the city start from around £20 per night, although than can get a bit pricier if looking for something bit more upmarket or if visiting at peak times.
Cut off from much of the rest of the world for four decades, Albania’s Communist regime was swept away in the early 1990s and since then the country has undergone a complete transformation.
Tirana itself is a city full of history, with relics of its Ottoman, Italian and Communist past all still present in the city, with tourists flocking to these sites.
The House of Leaves showcases the country’s recent communist past, while the Great Mosque of Tirana and the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania show off the city’s religious diversity and the history associated with this.
Another site that history fans should visit is the Byzantine-era Fortress of Justinian, also known as Tirana Castle. All that is left of this 13th-century structure is a 6-metre high Ottoman-era wall, although the grounds are currently undergoing restoration works.
Inside the walls is a rather modernised area full of restaurants, hotels, and cultural institutions, where you can take a quick pitstop and refuel with food before continuing your tour of the city.
Tirana is also a great destination for thrill-seekers, who can visit the top of the Dajti Ekspres for mountain biking, paragliding, or rock climbing.
Meanwhile, holidaymakers looking for a relaxing getaway can use Tirana as a gateway to the Albanian Riviera, the exact area that has been compared to the Maldives.
This stretch of the Ionian Sea is full of breathtaking beaches, amazing UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and some stunning and quicky towns and cities.
The pre-historic city of Bultrint is one of these UNESCO sites and with 2500 years of history covering the Ancient Greek and Roman periods of the country’s past, this a must-see for any history buffs.
And when not enjoying the amazing beaches of this region, be sure to take a trip to Blue Eye (or Syri I Kalter as it’s known to the locals), a freshwater spring that is usually not quite as touristy as other places along the Riviera.
After a three-year period that felt twice that length, Severance has finally returned. Last Friday saw the season premiere arrive, and it proved an appropriately trippy and darkly funny return (on top of featuring a welcome uncredited cameo from Keanu Reeves). While it mostly functioned as an extended reintroduction after years away, it also promised a number of tantalizing mysteries that we’re eagerly awaiting to see where they lead.
If the buzz from critics is any indication, we’re in for an exciting ride this year. The cast and crew are promising to shed more light on the series’ biggest mysteries and thus reveal more of their larger vision for the story. Whether that involves explaining Dr. Casey’s past as outie Mark’s wife or simply unveiling Lumon’s ultimate endgame from their employees’ labor remains to be seen. But we’re hoping that Severance’s sophomore outing answers one of our biggest questions of all: where does the outside world actually take place, and is it even in the real world?
Revisiting the first season, it’s clear that something about Severance’s world outside the Lumon offices feels fundamentally off. To begin with, Mark’s neighborhood, in particular, feels barren and devoid of people; it seems too perfect to be a coincidence that Harmony Cobel/Mrs. Selvig just happens to be his next-door neighbor. In the first season finale, when Helly spoke at a company presentation (from which the Season 2 premiere delivers a surprising development), there seemed to be shockingly few people in attendance.
This is all before we get into the minor details of the world, like the fact that the roads are regularly empty, or how the only cars we see are driven by the main characters, or how it’s almost always snowing. Of course, the small population of the outside world could be a coincidence, as the bulk of the first season was shot in the aftermath of the COVID pandemic when social distancing and quarantining were still mandated.
The darkly comic sci-fi series is apparently a big revenue generator for Apple TV+ as Season 2 continues to astound viewers.
But Severance still gives its world plenty more quirks that prove much harder to ignore. Minor Season 1 player Dr. Reghabi, the former Lumon surgeon who helped Petey reintegrate into society, was also the one who installed Mark’s severance chip. It’s clear that she knows a lot about his backstory that’s yet to be revealed, and her debut on the show when she saved Mark from the head of security hinted that she could return down the road.
Most bizarrely of all is the fact that the town that the “outie” characters reside in is named Kier, after Lumon’s founder, Kier Eagan. Both in and outside Lumon, Eagan’s followers worship his life teachings with an almost cult-like devotion, to the point where temples of worship exist in his honor. Lumon even secretly hosts a note-for-note replica of his house inside the Perpetuity Wing. Considering how much the show has built up his importance, it’s hard not to imagine the character or his legacy playing a big part going forward, even though Eagan is said to have died years before.
Is the Outside World in ‘Severance’ Another Prison?
It’s been a popular theory among Severance fans that Eagan is actually still alive, even if the specifics as to how are a point of contention. And if he is indeed still in the picture and, by extension, the mastermind behind the work done at Lumon, who’s to say his control only extends to his company, considering the near-religious following he seems to have? Doesn’t it seem likely that he’d also see fit to hold power over the outside world?
To begin with, the fact that the town is named directly after him is a red flag, as is the fact that the town’s population is near-barren. Additionally, it’s clear that Kier as a city gets most, if not all, of its income from the work done at Lumon, and every restaurant we’ve seen is named after a different member of his family. Mark and the other outies live in Lumon-subsidized housing in a neighborhood that visually parallels the uniform and conformist appearance of the offices inside the company.
Mind-bending TV challenges reality, blurs lines, and explores identity, truth, and humanity through bold, thought-provoking stories.
Also, if we look at the science-fiction genre conventions that Severance runs on, a common thread is the concept of a simulated reality. The Matrix, arguably the quintessential work of cyberpunk film, similarly targeted the numbing psychological effect of corporate culture, as the characters realized the world around them was designed specifically as a means of control. Considering the shared thematic territory that Severance explores, is it really that much of a stretch to believe the outside world is just as much a simulation as the offices of Lumon?
‘Severance’ Season 2 Promises to Peel Back the Curtain
Of course, this is all still speculation. But now that Severance is finally back, there’s a chance it might not be for much longer, especially since the creative team has openly stated that we’ll start getting answers this year. We can’t wait to see how deep the rabbit hole goes. Severance Season 2 is streaming on Apple TV+, with new episodes every Friday.
Xbox Game Pass allows its subscribers to access various gaming content depending on their subscription tier. With a few tiers to choose from, players can choose the tier that best fits their budget and needs. Each tier offers different benefits, such as access to exclusive games, multiplayer features, and cloud gaming.
However, like all subscription services, the Xbox Game Pass is often subject to price increases. It’s unfortunate, but a common reality as companies adjust pricing to account for rising operational costs, inflation, or expanding their content libraries to keep the service competitive. Price hikes can be frustrating, but they often promise improved features and, in the case of Xbox Game Pass, additional games.
Xbox Game Pass Increased Its Prices Last Year
The Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Price Increase Is A Little Steep
Microsoft dropped a bombshell last year when it announced a price increase for their Xbox Game Pass subscribers. The way in which it handled the announcement was poor, announcing the price increase just past the gaming service’s seventh anniversary. Not to mention, earlier that year, Xbox Game Pass had reached 34 million subscribers—a significant increase from just two years prior. So, things seem to be going well for the gaming subscription service, yet they still decided to increase their prices in July 2024 for new members and September 2024 for existing members.
Xbox used to offer a great incentive to join Game Pass, but it seems like it was forgotten as as time went on, but it could really help.
Price increases included a hike from $16.99 a month to $19.99 a month for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers. Not much has changed here besides the price increase. Ultimate subscribers still get access to day-one releases, every game in the game catalog, online multiplayer, cloud gaming, the EA Play membership, and access to games on both Xbox consoles and PC.
Xbox Game Pass Core subscribers didn’t see an increase in their $9.99 monthly subscription, but the annual subscription cost went up from $59.99 to $74.99. At a much lower price than the Ultimate tier, subscribers get multiplayer access and access to a small catalog of games.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers get access to over 500 titles in their gaming library, including titles from EA Play.
Even PC Game Pass subscribers saw a price increase. They once paid $9.99 a month to access day-one releases and the full game catalog on their PC, but now the price increase has them paying $11.99 a month, while Xbox Game Pass for Console was phased out for new subscribers, though existing subscribers can still access it for the original $10.99 a month.
The price increases, while unpopular, show the growing costs in the gaming industry. Maintaining a large game library, adding new features, and investing in future upgrades all require money. Xbox Game Pass may have raised prices to keep the service running smoothly and to continue offering quality content. While it’s a tough move, it reflects the bigger challenge subscription services face in balancing profits with keeping customers happy.
Three Huge Games Are Coming To Game Pass Ultimate Day One In April & May
Access To DOOM, South Of Midnight, And Clair Obscur On Day One Provides Value
Something that could certainly justify the price increase is the fact that the Xbox Game Pass does seem to be rolling out more highly anticipated games more frequently. In fact, just in April and May 2025, subscribers are getting three big titles within a matter of weeks—DOOM: The Dark Ages, South of Midnight, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. At no extra cost, these games make the Ultimate tier feel like a steal and might make upgrading from standard a better option.
Everwild, the long-awaited and mysterious Xbox exclusive from developer Rare has to appear at the 2025 Developer Direct as fans are tired of waiting.
Subscribers get day-one access to blockbuster titles that would otherwise cost significantly more if purchased individually, with most new titles costing upwards of $69.99. Purchasing three individual games at that price would set a player back over $200, while subscribing to the monthly Xbox Game Pass Ultimate tier would cost a player just $19.99 a month to access all three titles.
Other popular titles coming to Xbox Game Pass include Fable, The Outer Worlds 2, Subnautica 2, Gears of War: E-Day, Contraband, and SOPA.
The trend of day-one access for upcoming blockbuster titles is likely to continue, but just in the coming months, players can look forward to releases on May 15, April 8, and April 24.DOOM: The Dark Ages releases on May 15. Then, on April 8, South of Midnight is released, taking players on a third-person adventure through the American Deep South. Finally, the turn-based and exploration RPG, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, drops on April 24. These highly anticipated titles show the diversity and quality that Xbox Game Pass continues to deliver.
Is Game Pass Ultimate Still The Best Deal In Gaming?
Game Pass Ultimate Is Still The Best Deal, But For How Long?
Custom Image by Katarina Cimbaljevic
When it comes to subscription services, Xbox Game Pass remains one of the most talked-about options in gaming, and for good reason. Despite recent price hikes, it’s hard to ignore the value it still offers. Yes, the price at the moment is a little steep. Still, considering the vast library of games, day-one access to new titles, and additional perks like cloud gaming and EA Play, it still provides significant value—especially if the trend continues that subscribers will keep seeing those blockbuster titles on day-one access.
Xbox Cloud Gaming is often overlooked, but it’s a fantastic feature that lets players access their games across various devices, such as an iPad.
However, the price increase has undoubtedly caused some to reconsider whether the service is still worth it. While the Ultimate tier still offers significant value for those who use all its features, the cost may no longer feel justified for casual gamers or those who don’t take full advantage of everything it offers.
For instance, those who don’t care much about day-one releases or cloud gaming may not get the same value as those who thrive on playing the newest games as soon as they’re released. Still, with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate continuing to offer access to highly anticipated day-one releases, it’s clear that the service is committed to delivering value.
Xbox may be falling behind in the console wars against Nintendo and PlayStation, but it has a trump card up its sleeve that makes it stand out.
Ultimately, though, whether Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is still the best deal in gaming depends on how much value you place on the features it offers. For those who enjoy having access to a wide variety of games, including day-one titles, and enjoy the convenience of cloud gaming, the Ultimate tier remains incredible value. In the future, though, Microsoft will need to continue adding value and finding ways to justify price increases or risk losing subscribers.
Billy Ray Cyrus on Friday announced a new album in the wake of his lackluster performance at the post-inauguration Liberty Ball and amid family drama heightened by new input from his most recent ex-wife.
Just as he did with his Liberty Ball appearance, Billy Ray Cyrus appeared to minimize those concerns Friday when he announced that his next album would be produced by son Braison. Earlier this week, representatives for Billy Ray declined to comment on the family concerns.
“This is art imitating life, imitating art,” the two-time Grammy Award winner said Friday in a statement. “It starts and ends with art. Braison is very talented and [2025] is his year. I’m glad to be a part of it. This record is gonna be special. I’m gearing up for what will be the journey of a lifetime.”
Firerose’s recent thoughts came in response to Trace Cyrus’ open letter, posted Wednesday on social media, in which he said that his family — which also includes Trace’s younger sisters, pop stars Miley Cyrus and Noah Cyrus, and older sister Brandi Cyrus — was “genuinely worried” about the “Achy Breaky Heart” singer. Trace said he could “barely recognize” his father as the man he once idolized, and that he and his sisters have been concerned for years. He claimed that the patriarch had “pushed all of us away.”
“You’re not healthy Dad & everyone is noticing it,” he wrote, adding, “I hope you realize this message only comes from a place of love and also fear that the world may lose you far too soon.”
On Thursday, Billy Ray Cyrus’ ex-wife Firerose echoed some of those sentiments, telling Page Six that “what’s being seen in public now reflects much” of what she experienced in private during their relationship, which ended abruptly amid allegations of abuse and fraud.
“It’s very sad to see those same struggles continue for him, but I’m glad the truth is coming to light — for his potential good because healing is only possible when you confront the truth and accept there’s a problem,” she told the outlet.
Cyrus and Firerose, who met in the early 2000s while working on Disney Channel’s “Hannah Montana” and kindled a relationship years later, announced their engagement in November 2022 and wed in October 2023. They revealed they were divorcing less than a year later, and the messy dissolution was settled last August after more than a month of tension. Cyrus has since characterized the marriage as a “crazy insane scam.”
But Braison Cyrus said in the Friday statement about the upcoming record that he had spent the last year getting to know his father better, hearing stories, jokes and songs that others have not.
“It’s an opportunity to tell my dad’s story through music, and I’m fortunate to be able to take it,” he said. “Music, stories and family are the most important things to my dad, so to bring the two together is a full-circle endeavor.”
Then in an Instagram story, Braison revealed that his father spent a week in the hospital in the fall: “I’m grateful that my dad is happy, healthy and ready to make this record,” he wrote. “It’s a rare opportunity to make something this special and tell my dad’s story through music. Can’t wait to finally share it.”
The as-yet-untitled record is set for release this summer via Roam Man Productions and will be distributed by indie label Empire. It will feature songs co-written by father and son. Although Billy Ray Cyrus has released several standalone singles in recent years — including an “Old Town Road” remix with Lil Nas X and a few songs with Firerose — the upcoming album will be his first since the 2019 release of “The SnakeDoctor Circus.”
Cyrus shares five children with ex-wife Tish Cyrus-Purcell, whom he was married to from 1993 to 2022: Trace and Brandi, whom he adopted after Tish had them with her first husband, Baxter Neal Helson; plus Miley, Braison and Noah, the kids they had together. He is also the father of Christopher Cody, whom he welcomed with ex-girlfriend Kristin Luckey in 1992.
Times staff writer Alexandra Del Rosario contributed to this report.
Deadmau5 had some choice words for electronic producer 3lau, in response to social media posts from the latter artist about playing an inaugural ball for President Trump earlier this week in Washington, D.C.
On Tuesday, 3lau (pronounced “blau”) posted images and video of the event alongside an Instagram caption reading that “five days ago [President Trump’s] team reached out cause they needed a DJ for inauguration afters. Playing Starlight Ball was not on my 2025 bingo card, but I mean wow, what an honor. I was so nervous, and only got to play for 30 min but holy ****. Achievement unlocked.”
On X (formerly Twitter), the producer shared the same images and video and wrote “Yesterday was a huge leap forward for crypto !!! It was an honor to be a small part of it DJing the @POTUS afters ;)”
Born Justin Blau, the producer has released electronic music as 3LAU since 2013. He is also a well-established tech advocate and investor. In 2021, he launched Royal, a blockchain-based platform for investing in music rights.
“The timing is crazy,” 3lau’s Instagram caption continues. “I know I’ve been quiet for a long time, mainly because 2025 is gonna be the biggest year yet – for both my music and Royal.”
The comments section of his inauguration day post — currently the only post on the 3lau grid — is a mixed bag of feedback, with Deadmau5 among the thousands of commenters on Instagram.
The Canadian producer pointedly wrote, “Here’s the best takeaway, not a single person in that entire dumb— administration has ever known who the f— you were, cared about you, or even gives the remotest sh– about you, and you certainly won’t be remembered by any of em. But everyone in this business will remember that you stood behind nazis and convicted felons who would further marginalize the very people who gave you a platform. What very little respect I had for you is gone. So glad you got some drink tickets out of the deal, enjoy them, you nepo pissbaby.”
In response, 3lau wrote Friday (Jan. 24) on X that since playing the ball, “I’ve received backlash from several prominent members of the music community. While I anticipated some pushback, the intensity of the response has been far greater than I expected.
“A matter of fact: I am a proud American,” the statement continues. “The freedoms we have in this country make it possible for me to pursue my passions—whether as a founder, a CEO, or a musician. My pride should not be used as a vessel for other people’s anger. This is exactly the behavior that has divided us. I am unwavering in my decision to focus my music and my work on things that continue to push our country forward. This might not always align with a single party, but progress comes from working together, not against each other.
“I believe firmly in both free speech and the acceleration of tech innovation. These principles have been integral to my identity. I also see crypto and blockchain technology as monumental forces essential to our future as a nation—forces that the previous administration opposed. This administration favors many aspects of the vision I hold for our future; while no one’s values will ever fully align with those of any president or party, I stand by my choice. And, for the record, I am grateful to participate in our democracy.”
Southern Hospitality Season 3 is chock full of drama, and most of it surrounds Will Kulpand Emmy Sharrett’srelationship. The premiere opened with a flash forward showing the cast confronting Will over cheating rumors. In that same episode, we learned that Will made rude comments about Emmy at Republic and other bars throughout King Street.
When Emmy had an epic meltdown at work, Will was no help. Instead of comforting her or having her back, he stayed away at the bar to sip on High Noon. Emmy’s co-workers theorized that relationship stress was actually the catalyst for her breakdown. However, Emmy felt sorry for Will, ignoring how he made things worse. Also, Will mistakenly called her “Emily.” With all this going on, is Emily Emmy still planning on marriage and babies with her law student beau? Did she and Will prove the naysayers who called their relationship a “ticking time bomb” wrong? Here’s what we know about Will and Emmy’s current relationship status.
Emmy Sharrett shares her relationship status with Will Kulp after Southern Hospitality Season 3
Emmy spoke to Entertainment Tonight about Southern Hospitality Season 3. In the interview, she made it clear they are still together. There was some speculation when Will deleted his Instagram after they wrapped filming. Emmy said that was to protect his mental health and focus on school. “Will and I are genuinely great,” she said, “Will is my best friend.”
Arguing things are “better than ever,” she said Will went skiing with her family over the holidays. She gushed, “My family loves Will, my sisters love Will.” Emmy joked, “My one sister is a helicopter pilot, so if Will was doing anything bad, she’d know.”
Emmy confirmed he talked behind her back, and Will himself admitted to it. However, Emmy claimed that her cast mates used “extreme” words to describe what he said, and took things “incredibly out of context.” Emmy added, “Will got drunk and said some stuff, but the way they’re gonna put it is like he hates me.” Emmy stormed off when the group brought this up on the Lake Wylie trip. Reflecting on her thoughts in that moment, Emmy said, “I don’t give a sh*t about half the people at this table who all have an opinion about my relationship. I’m not gonna sit around and talk to them about it.” She felt like the group setting was an attempt to embarrass her.
Emmy specifically named TJ Dinch and Bradley Carter as the “biggest pot stirrers.” She called it especially heartbreaking because they were friends with her and Will. She also has “nothing nice to say” about newcomers Lake Rucker and Molly Moore, who added “their two cents.”
Does Emmy think Will was unfaithful to her?
Photo Credit: Charles Sykes/Bravo
This season, Will is once again accused of cheating on Emmy. As we saw in the flash forward, there are rumors that he lives with another girl at school and took someone else to his law school prom.
Emmy was point blank asked, “Do you believe that Will has been unfaithful to you at any point in your relationship?” Emmy dramatically shook her head and answered, “Never.” She continued, “I’m not dumb, or ‘blinded by the money’ he doesn’t have, by the way. Will’s not sitting on some trust fund.”
Seemingly responding to comments online, she added, “I don’t care about the status of being some lawyer’s wife.” She claimed, “If Will did cheat on me, I would never speak to him again.” Continuing to defend her character, she said, “I take no sh*t.” Emmy insisted, “I know Will like the back of my hand…he’s never cheated on me. He’s a lot of things, but a cheater isn’t one of them.”
Emmy defends Will’s actions amidst her meltdown
Photo Credit: Paul Cheney/Bravo
Adding context behind her meltdown, Emmy said she was up all night sick with strep throat. She said Will took care of her. But also that she was still “loopy” from the NyQuil he gave her. She also said that Will was checking in to make sure she was feeling okay.
To recap, the girls accused Emmy of using her store credit to purchase new work dresses but charging them full price. Viewers were shocked that, instead of having her back, Will asked if she did it. However, Emmy got why Will was “confused.” He wondered why she had such a big reaction if she didn’t do it. “It was an unfortunate way that he put it,” she admitted, but she understood his confusion. She also wanted Will to stay out of the work drama.
However, Emmy had less praise for the girls who confronted her over the dresses. Emmy accused Molly and Siobhan of just pretending to care about her and her relationship. She called it “kind of a cover-up” and theorized that the girls realized they “looked like a bully, I’m gonna reel it back by pretending I care about Emmy’s feelings.” She called it “disheartening” and added, “Who needs enemies with friends like these?” Seems like it’s Will and Emmy against the world.
TELL US – ARE YOU SURPRISED THAT SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY’SWILL KULP AND EMMY SHARETT ARE STILL TOGETHER? WHAT DO YOU THINK OF EMMY’S COMMENTS ABOUT THEIR RELATIONSHIP?
[Warning: The below contains MAJOR spoilers for The Way Home Season 3 Episode 4 “I’ll Have to Say I Love You in a Song.”]
Well, it’s really looking like Alice (Sadie Laflamme-Snow) might be right about Casey (Vaughan Murrae), Kat’s (Chyler Leigh) intern she thinks is from the future. (Her first clue: She saw them wearing Kat’s engagement ring on a necklace.) They said they’re a Goodwin, but Alice meets Max Goodwin in the latest Way Home episode, and he says he doesn’t have a sibling with that name.
“Casey is an enigma wrapped in a mystery…” executive producer Alexandra Clarke jokes to TV Insider. “The ripple effect of their presence or lack thereof is going to be felt this season, for sure. And Alice and her theories is a really exciting road to go down.”
Adds executive producer Heather Conkie, “Everything has been about the past and now all of a sudden the characters are all switching a little bit because Alice is about her future and Del [Andie MacDowell] is about what happened in ‘74 and maybe certain things that she doesn’t love people to know. And now here’s Alice [time-traveling to that year and] witnessing everything that happened from a totally different point of view [with Devin Cecchetto’s Evelyn]. And then we have Kat who thinks her present is the only thing left because all her projects have come to fruition. I guess there’s a little bit of Casey and all of those scenarios.”
Alice definitely does think she’s right about Casey being from the future at this point, confirms Laflamme-Snow. “Right before she meets Max, she’s fine to just wait until her next interaction with Casey. She’s trying to just live in the present and listen to her mom,” she says but cautions, “We don’t know much about Max. We don’t know how trustworthy he is. We don’t know if he’s messing with her, if he has all the context. So in a way, it’s a little bit, ‘What does he know?’”
Peter Stranks / Hallmark Media
She also knows that Alice can be “intense” and “ask too many questions.” And because of who she is, she feels like she just keeps getting confirmation of her theory. “But I don’t know that, if she really picks it apart, her logic holds up,” Laflamme-Snow admits. “That’s interesting for the audience, is that you kind of go through that struggle with Alice because as things are revealed, there’s lots of things that sort of undercut that and say, ‘Okay, we’re back to square one now. Now how do we know if this is real or not?’”
The EPs can’t say much about Alice and Casey’s next interaction. “For Alice, it’s going to be more about the figment of Casey versus the real Casey, for a little while at least,” teases Clarke. “I think that’s even more intimidating and more mysterious than the actual person. In the end, at least in Alice’s mind, they might start to become a bit bigger than they even really are.” Adds Conkie, this mystery is a “bit of an obsession” for her.
Elsewhere in this episode, Del now has to deal with the fact that it’s even harder to deny that her late husband Colton (Jefferson Brown) was time traveling; his sweater from 1999 is found near the pond.
“It’s really hard for her because she felt she knew this person inside and out, that she knew everything about this person. This was her best friend, this was her everything,” says MacDowell. “So I think it is really hard to imagine that he had a life that she didn’t know anything about.”
Conkie teases that “it screws her up a bit.”
Clarke says it’s just one more thing that makes Del realize she’s not okay: “I think she has her son back, which is the thing she’s always wanted. But in having her son back and her daughter continuing to time travel and Alice is continuing to time travel, it’s just going to open up a world that maybe she didn’t want to know about. There is some sort of thing of ignorance is bliss and do you want to be in on everything?”
She continues, “Her journey this year is really about the past and questioning that because all of a sudden now there’s other points of view of memories that she has held very close to her heart about Colton because they’re all she has left of him and now all of a sudden here’s Alice saying, ‘Well, I remember it this way,’ and I think it’s a really tough journey for Del. It’s going to be a lot of reflection and a lot of questioning and a lot of doubt and wondering why the man you thought you could trust, at least for the better part of their marriage, might have actually been lying from the very beginning. It’s a hard reality to face.”
Clarke praises MacDowell’s work on this storyline with that. “Things are going to come to a head, and of course, it’s not going to be an easy road, but hopefully it’s ultimately a redemptive one,” she adds.
Will her arc include wanting to time travel like the other members of her family? Kat’s boyfriend, Elliot (Evan Williams), even has, too. “Del is a very practical woman. I think what’s amazing about her and her character is she doesn’t romanticize a lot. She doesn’t romanticize much except her own relationship with Colton actually. Everything else is very matter-of-fact. And I think, as a result, that’s sort of how she treats the pond, but she’s also a doer. So there is that,” Clarke allows, but she can’t say more.
What’s your theory about Casey? Let us know in the comments section below.
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This creamy, cheesy mushroom lasagna is a delicious twist on the classic. Instead of traditional meat and red sauce, this recipe features layers of garlicky mushrooms and a rich béchamel sauce that brings incredible depth to every bite.
Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe
It’s SO flavorful: The joining of garlic mushrooms with a rich, creamy sauce and tender noodles is absolutely heavenly. Even my picky kids love this dinner, and it’s a great way to sneak in extra veggies!
Vegetarian-Friendly: This mushroom lasagna is a hearty, meat free dinner option that’s sure to impress even meat eaters.
Perfect Comfort Food: Warm, cheesy, and loaded with flavor, it’s the best for a cozy meal. I like to serve it with this fresh salad and some homemade garlic knots!
Unique and Delicious
If you are looking to switch things up from the classic lasagna, this is the dish for you! It has so much flavor and incredible texture with the al dente noodles, tender mushrooms, and creamy cheese sauce. Your whole family will love it! The best part is that it can be ready in under an hour!
How to Make Mushroom Lasagna
There’s no need to be intimidated! This mushroom lasagna recipe is actually so easy to make. I’ll guide you through every step with helpful pictures and clear instructions. Let’s get to cooking!
Mushrooms
Prep and Cook Pasta: Preheat oven to 375ºF. Spray a 9x13x2-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside. Boil lasagna noodles according to the package directions. Then, drain them in cold water and set them aside.
Add: In a large pot, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the mushroom slices, shallots, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
Sauté: Cook the mushrooms, stirring occasionally, until they are tender, about 5 minutes. Remove the mushrooms from the pot and set aside.
Béchamel Sauce
Combine: Return to the same pot and melt the ¼ cup of butter over medium-high heat. Whisk the flour into the butter to create a paste.
White Sauce: Slowly pour and whisk the milk into the butter paste. A thick sauce should form.
Add: Whisk the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt and pepper to taste, then remove the sauce from the heat.
Mushroom Lasagna Ricotta Layer
Combine: In a bowl, whisk together the ricotta, parmesan, eggs, salt, and black pepper, then set aside.
Assemble Mushroom Lasagna
Layer: Spread about ½ cup of the sauce at the bottom of the prepared baking dish, then add a layer of noodles on top of the sauce. Spread ⅓ of the ricotta mixture over the noodles, followed by ⅓ of the cooked mushrooms, then the sauce on the mushrooms.
Add: Sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella cheese over the top of the sauce. Repeat the layers two more times, ending with the mozzarella cheese on top.
Bake: Cover the dish in foil and bake for 20 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes or until it is heated through and the cheese is bubbly. Remove the lasagna from the oven, and let it rest a few minutes before serving! Garnish with fresh parsley or basil.
Mushroom Lasagna Variations to Try
This mushroom lasagna is customizable! Here are my tips to make it with meat or use oven ready noodles.
Can I add some kind of protein? If you want to add meat to this lasagna, I recommend trying Italian sausage. I would cook the sausage and mix it with the cooked mushrooms before putting the dish together.
Can IUse Oven-Ready Noodles? You can use oven-ready lasagna noodles with this recipe. When making the béchamel, double the sauce. You will also need to cook the lasagna for longer until the noodles are soft. Keep the lasagna covered while the noodles cook. Once they are ready remove the foil to brown the cheese on top.
How to Store Leftovers
If you’re a fan of leftovers like I am, you’re going to love having extra mushroom lasagna. It tastes just as wonderful the next day, making it the perfect meal to enjoy throughout the week!
In the Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
In the Freezer: Store in the freezer in an airtight container for up to 2 months. I recommend storing the leftovers in individual portions for easier reheating.
To Reheat: Reheat in the microwave or oven at 350ºF until the center is warmed.
More Delicious Lasagna Recipes
My family loves lasagna! It’s especially a welcome dinner when it’s cold outside, and all of these recipes are sure to warm you up! They’re hearty and full of flavor. Which one will you try next?
Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray a 9x13x2-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
Cook the 12 lasagna noodles according to the package directions, drain them in cold water, and set them aside.
Mushrooms
In a large pot, melt the 3 tablespoons butter over medium-high heat. Add the 24 ounces sliced mushrooms, 2 large shallots minced,2 cloves garlic minced,1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper.
Cook the mushrooms, stirring occasionally, until they are tender, about 5 minutes. Remove the mushrooms from the pot and set aside.
Bechamel Sauce
Return to the same pot and melt the ¼ cup salted butter over medium-high heat. Whisk the ¼ cup all-purpose flour into the butter to create a paste.
Slowly pour and whisk the 2 ½ cups whole milk into the butter paste. A thick sauce should form.
Whisk in the 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, and Salt and pepper to taste. Remove the sauce from the heat.
Ricotta Layer
In a bowl, whisk together the 2 cups ricotta cheese, 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese, 2 large eggs, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper. Set aside.
Assemble
Spread about ½ cup of the bechamel sauce at the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Layer some lasagna noodles on the sauce, spread ⅓ of the ricotta mixture over the noodles followed by ⅓ of the cooked mushrooms, then bechamel sauce on the mushrooms.
Top the bechamel sauce with 1 cup of the 3 cups mozzarella cheese. Repeat the layers 2 more times, ending with the mozzarella cheese on top.
Cover the dish in foil and bake for 20 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes or until it is heated throughout and the cheese is bubbly.
Remove the lasagna from the oven, and let it rest a few minutes before serving!
