HBO’s The Last of Us premiered to an astounding 4.7 million U.S. viewers, a number that leapt to 5.7 million for its second episode. Fans are clearly invested in the post-apocalyptic tale of Joel and Ellie, a story that began with the 2013 release of the video game by the same name.

If you’re a non-gamer, you may be quick to dismiss what might appear to be just another gun and violence-filled video game adaptation, and we can’t really blame you for that. Video game-based shows and movies haven’t had the greatest track record—but we urge you to give this one a chance.

Warning: Very mild spoilers for the first episode ahead!

There’s certainly no shortage of bloodshed in The Last of Us, but there’s a lot more to it than that. The story takes place in a dystopian America where civilization has crumbled following a fungus-based pandemic. The main protagonist, Joel (Pedro Pascal) is just trying to survive in a largely lawless wasteland.

The plot follows Joel as he’s coerced into safely transporting a feisty teenage girl named Ellie (Bella Ramsey) across the country, defending her from murderous infected victims and other rogue attackers along the way.

While there are currently two video games in The Last of Us series, the first season of the show is based on the first game. However, the show follows the game so closely that there’s no need to have any familiarity with the games to know what’s going on. In fact, the show provides additional details that weren’t in the games, like the exact origins of the pandemic.

Fans of the game are also sure to be fans of the show, but anyone who comes in as a total stranger will find a lot to love here. Joel and Ellie are vibrantly brought to life in the show by Pascal and Ramsey. Other recognizable names in the cast include Nick Offerman and Melanie Lynskey.

The show’s themes that are sure to appeal to anyone, newcomer or not. Although Joel is childless and Ellie is parentless, they form a type of father-daughter bond and find a family in one another. The evolution of their relationship is reason enough to tune in each week.

We may not be living in a bleak post-apocalyptic world (yet), but learning to be vulnerable and open yourself up to love despite past trauma and difficult circumstances is something many can relate to.

Despite Ellie having lived her entire life with the pandemic as a backdrop, she still finds wonder and awe in things we often take for granted, like music. Watching her find beauty in an ugly world is a reminder of the beauty in our own everyday lives.

Millions of people have been inspired by The Last of Us, despite the desolate world in which it takes place. Its depiction of humanity in the face of brutality is something anyone will recognize.

There are certainly pros to having a front-loading washing machine, but one big con is that they can get … well, a little stinky. And you certainly don’t want to throw your clothes into a smelly washer when you’re trying to get them clean and fresh-smelling.

Ever wonder what causes your washer to smell bad? Several factors could be at play.

Front-load washing machines don’t use as much water as others, which is a definite plus. But that also makes it difficult for the machine to wash away every bit of the products you use to wash your clothes.

And if you use a lot of product to get your clothes clean (too much detergent, fabric softener, etc.), this can build up over time and turn into sludge sitting in your machine’s water pump filter. This is the type of sludge mold and bacteria love to call home, hence the smell.

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Another possible explanation for the odor is that lint can build up in your washer’s water pump filter. Yes, your washer also has a lint trap and it needs to be cleaned out just like the one in your dryer. If you don’t have the first clue about cleaning your washer’s filter, you’re certainly not alone. And don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

1. Unplug your washing machine.
2. Find your washer’s access panel—for most front-load washers, this should be on the lower front corner of your machine.
3. Lay a towel under a baking sheet (with a lip) or shallow bowl on the ground in front of the washer to protect your floors from any nasty stuff that might come out.
4. Using a flathead screwdriver, pry off the access panel. Open the little door on the inside, and voila! There’s your water pump filter.
5. Turn the filter’s handle counterclockwise until water begins draining onto your baking sheet and you’re able to pull the filter out (you may have to empty your drain hose before this step).
6. Use soap, water, and a toothbrush or paper towel to clean the filter, paying special attention to the rubber gasket. Replace it if you spot any damage.
7. Soak the filter in hot water for 10 minutes.
8. Screw the water filter back into your machine by turning the handle clockwise, then close its little door and replace the access panel.

If you need a visual aid, @brunchwithbabs shows how it’s done on TikTok.

Manually cleaning out the gasket that runs around your washer’s drum on a regular basis will also help stave off any stench.

To give it an extra-deep clean, pour two cups of bleach into the detergent tray (which you also might want to remove and wash) and run a hot cycle, followed by one or two hot rinse-only cycles. Then put two cups of white vinegar into the detergent tray or drum and run a cleaning cycle or another hot cycle. Finally, run one last rinse-only cycle to ensure your machine is thoroughly cleaned out.

It’s not a fun job, but it’s satisfying to open that washer and have it smell like clean laundry instead of mildew.

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Haircare is a tricky thing. It feels like there are a million rules to follow to keep your tresses in tip-top shape—using the right products, washing often but not too often, refraining from using too much heat, etc. It’s a lot to keep track of. But you may be overlooking one insidious thing that could be causing serious hair damage: your everyday hairstyle.

As we age, the bonds between our hair strands decrease, weakening our hair overall. As the hair grows weaker and loses its elasticity, it’s much more susceptible to breakage. So it’s crucial to be mindful of the tension and pressure we’re putting on our hair every day to keep it looking its best.

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We’re not saying you have to cut any of these hairstyles completely out of your routine, but moderation is key. Remember to give your hair time to relax. With that said, here are five styles that may be secretly harming your hair.

1. Ponytails And Top Knots

Your standby quick hairstyles are some of the worst culprits for causing long-term hair damage. Wearing these styles day after day will add stress at the base of your ponytail or bun, which will eventually cause hair to break. Tight elastic hair ties can also lead to fraying. High, tight ponytails are the worst offenders, as they pull extra hard on the fine strands of your hairline. 

Try This Instead: Try using knotted fabric hair ties or silk scrunchies to pull your hair back, and be sure not to pull on your hair too tightly when putting it up. You could also opt for a headband or simply a lower ponytail.

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2. Teasing

Anyone who lived through the ’80s is probably guilty of this one. Teasing is a great trick for creating lift, but it can do a real number on your hair. Backcombing essentially consists of creating tangles and knots to add volume, so it’s not hard to understand why it can be harsh on your hair. 

Try This Instead: Use a volumizing mousse or other thickening product instead (we like this thickening and texturizing mousse from Keranique). For extra volume, you can blow dry your hair upside down or with a round brush after applying the product. Just be sure to use a low heat setting and apply some heat protectant beforehand (like this blow-dry spray from L’Oréal).

3. Styling While Wet

It’s so easy to mindlessly throw your hair into a ponytail or bun after a shower, but doing so can cause hair thinning or even loss. As you now know, buns and ponytails already put stress on your strands. Hair is at its most vulnerable and prone to breakage when wet, which further amps up that stress. If you’ve ever taken your hair down from a wet updo and noticed a clump of hair still attached to your hair tie, you’ll see what we mean. 

Try This Instead: Let your hair air dry, dry with a microfiber towel, or blow dry on low heat (remember: heat protectant!) before putting your hair up.

4. Braids

Unfortunately, one of our favorite hairstyles is also one that can cause serious hair damage when not done properly. When braids are too tight, especially near the hairline, it can put so much strain on your roots that it starts to break away. This can cause splitting, follicle damage, and tensile stress, which can eventually even lead to hair loss conditions like traction alopecia.

Try This Instead: Simply braid your hair more loosely, especially at the scalp. It’s also important to take breaks from wearing braids and to keep your scalp moisturized. Remember, if wearing braids makes your scalp sore, your braids are too tight.

5. High-Tension Overnight Styles

Sleeping with your hair in a tight bun or braid while you sleep is a common way of extending time between wash days, but you should reconsider the type of protective style you’re putting your hair in before bedtime. When hair is rubbing against a pillow while pulled taut, it can cause friction, tugging, and tangling.

Try This Instead: Wear your hair in a tension-free protective hairstyle, like a loose braid or bun. You could also cover your hair in a silk bonnet. Even better, you can avoid causing friction by sleeping on a silk pillowcase.

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Potatoes, ever the versatile root vegetable, can elevate any meal from good to great when properly prepared. No matter the form—mashed, baked, or fried—a well-executed potato dish can make for a truly satisfying dining experience.

If you prefer roasted potatoes, we have just the tip for you to take your spuds to the next level. Prepare to amaze your friends, impress your kids, or simply curl up with a plate of delicious crispy veggies perfect for cold autumn nights. 

The Key To Perfectly Roasted Potatoes Is Already In Your Kitchen

Yes, really. This kitchen hack is incredibly simple and involves just one ingredient, but you’ll never go back to making roasted potatoes any other way. 

Chef Samin Nosrat writes in her award-winning 2017 cookbook Salt Fat Acid Heat that the use of one often-underestimated seasoning “enhances flavor and even makes food taste more like itself … Learn to use it well and your food will taste great.” 

So what is this mysterious ingredient that has the power to up your cooking game?

Salt. But hear us out. We know you probably already add a sprinkle of salt to your potatoes before or after cooking. But Nosrat’s trick ensures even flavor and an even more crispy exterior.

All you have to do is boil your potatoes whole in extra-salty water. Throw a handful—not just a pinch!—of salt, kosher or otherwise, into the water until it tastes almost like saltwater. Toss in your potatoes (any kind, but Yukon Gold is our roasting potato of choice) and boil for around 10-20 minutes until they’re tender when pierced. 

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While the salt absorbs into the potatoes to add flavor, the soaking works to remove excess starch that could cause the spuds to stick to your baking sheet, allowing them to roast more efficiently. 

After boiling, chop the potatoes into your preferred size and shape. Toss with the oil and seasonings of your choice (salt and pepper is a classic go-to combo for a reason), then bake at 425°F for 20 minutes. Flip the potatoes, then return to the oven for 15-20 additional minutes until crispy and brown. Alternatively, you can use an air fryer instead of the oven. 

It may sound like a lengthy process, but the time spent will be well worth it when you sink your teeth into the crispy exterior of your potatoes to the soft, cloud-like interior. Bonus tip: with the holidays coming just around the bend, these roasted potatoes make for a perfect Thanksgiving side dish!

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